Spring crop 2017: Strictly follow the crop schedule

(Baonghean) - The 2017 spring crop is forecasted to take place in warm weather conditions but there will be some late cold spells at the end of the crop. Given the erratic weather conditions, strict adherence to the recommended crop calendar is an important factor in limiting damage in agricultural production.

With the target of 669,700 tons of food, in the 2017 spring crop, the whole province strives to plant 89 thousand hectares of rice, of which the area of ​​high-quality rice is increased to 30 thousand hectares. In 2017, the beginning of spring will be on February 4, which is the 8th day of the first lunar month, so the rice fields will be planted after the Lunar New Year.

According to general assessment, the spring crop of 2017 is a warm spring crop, approximately the same as the spring crop of 2016 and 0.5 - 10C higher than the average of many years. However, according to forecasts, there will still be some late cold spells at the end of the crop. The crop time frame is divided by the Ministry of Agriculture into 3 basic tea groups including tea 1 (using varieties with a growth period of 140 - 145 days) sowing from January 5 - 10 and transplanting from January 3 - February 5; tea 2 (varieties with a growth period of 130 - 135 days) sowing from January 15 - 20 and transplanting from February 6 - 10; tea 3 (varieties with a growth period of around 125 days) sowing from January 20 - 25 and transplanting from February 10 - 15. Particularly for the flooded summer-autumn areas, to let the rice bloom from April 20 to 25, based on the growth period of the variety, arrange to plant seedlings 5 ​​to 7 days earlier, in which priority is given to using varieties that grow for about 125 days, sowing seedlings from January 15 to 20 to ensure timely harvest for the summer-autumn rice before August 30.

Farmers in Quynh Luu district go to the fields to take care of rice seedlings.

Thus, except for some early spring teas, the remaining late spring varieties are basically concentrated on planting after Tet, from around January 4th of the lunar calendar onwards. However, in reality, in some localities such as Yen Thanh, Quynh Luu, Dien Chau... from December 20th onwards, some farmers have released short-term varieties such as Thien Uu 8, VTNA2, 15-20 days earlier than the crop calendar, or even more. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, hamlet 11, Quynh Hung commune (Quynh Luu) said: This spring crop, her family planted 5 sao of rice, mainly Thai Xuyen rice variety. She sowed rice seedlings from December 20th, the weather is currently warm so the seedlings are very good, around January 15-17 (near December 20th of the lunar calendar) will be planted.

In the current warm weather conditions, favorable for rice seedlings to grow, these areas can all be planted before Tet, and thus, the risk of rice blooming in cold weather is entirely possible, seriously affecting productivity.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Nguyen Van Lap, in order to ensure the productivity of spring rice, localities must urgently inspect and review the areas of seedlings sown too early, especially those with short growing periods of 130 days, so that if necessary, they can destroy and re-sow other seedlings because the seedling emergence period has just begun. Because if this seedling is used for planting, the rice will bloom too early, which will easily encounter late-season cold, and the rate of empty rice will be high, leading to serious impacts on productivity.

Farmers in Ky Son commune, Tan Ky district plant rice. Photo: Archive

Particularly for localities that have not yet sown or transplanted rice, it is necessary to strictly follow the crop calendar to ensure that the rice will bloom within the safe crop time frame. It is especially important to note that the main crop sowing season this year will be during the extreme cold season, so people must cover the seedlings 100% with plastic, prepare cold-proof conditions such as kitchen ash, and regulate the water source well according to the instructions of agricultural officials.

During the cold season, do not apply nitrogen fertilizer to seedlings, and minimize direct sowing of rice to prevent frostbite. Plant seedlings at the right age, with the required number of leaves, and do not plant on extremely cold days. At the same time, increase the use of organic fertilizers from the beginning of the season, use lime to treat the soil, use high-content NPK fertilizers, and balance phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to help plants grow and develop healthily, and withstand adverse external conditions.

Phu Huong