Production Practices 

	Seed Germination
	Land Preparation
	Weed Control
	Insect and Disease Control
	Fertiliser Application
	Water Management
	Harvesting

The use of high yielding varieties which are tolerant to the agro-climatic conditions of Guyana is one avenue by which production and productivity can be increased. The main varieties of rice grown in Guyana are as follows.

Use of certified seed

It is important that farmers use certified seed material for cultivation. When seeds are retained from the previous crop, the crop is found to be contaminated with seeds from other varieties and weed seeds. Sowing of mixed varieties often result in high incidence of red rice which is a common weed in rice that is difficult to distinguish from the crop during the growing stage.

A germination test must be carried out to ensure germination potential before soaking.

Do not use seed with less than 85% germination.

Recommended seed rates for all varieties is:

• 140lbs per acre. (160 kg per hectare)

Methods of soaking.

• Varieties Rustic and Diwani soak for twenty four hours and press for twenty four hours.
• Varieties BR240, F7-10, BR444 soak for twenty-four to thirty-six hours and press for thirty-six hours.

If sowing is to  be done manually, an additional twelve hours pressing will be necessary for all varieties.

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• Burn straw 2 days after reaping.
• Rome Harrow 10 - 15cm (4-6 ins) along the length of field and allow field to dry bake for 5-7 days.
• Second Rome Harrow across the field.
• Flood field to facilitate harrowing.
• Harrow field using a light disc harrow, back blade to level, rake and drag.
• Broadcast seeds 2 days after raking.

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General

• Prepare land properly.
• Use high quality seed.
• Maintain water levels of 7.5 - 10cm (3-4ins) during growing season.
• During early stages of crop establishment, do not leave field exposed for more than three days at a time.
• Keep dams and meres free of weeds.

Duck weed

Duck weed is a lily that thrives in the abundance of water. The plant produces seeds by the millions and is usually introduced through the irrigation water as the seeds are small and floats .The seeds will germinate when the water is deep and clear. The duck weed seedlings germinate and grow very slowly for the first 10 to 15 days and then rapidly expands leaf size, suckers and branches. This process smothers all other vegetation including cultivated rice.  

Control measure:

• Mix 4 grms Ally to 1pint water.
• Use 1/4 pint of this mixture to 4 gals. water.
• Spray when rice is 3 weeks old.

Grass weeds

While chemical control measures can be practiced for the following weeds it is not applicable to red rice because of its similarity to the cultivated species. Red rice is difficult to distinguish since it is a type in the same species as cultivated rice.  

• Control Muraina, monkey tail and bird seed grass with 1 and 1/2 pint Propanil to 4 gals water using a  knapsack sprayer.

Sedges and Broad leaf weed

Jussia grows in areas that are not covered by water, where the land has been puddled, and dried out. The Jussia weed establishes quickly at very high densities and thus competes with the cultivated crop for nutrients. Yellowing of  the rice plants in areas infested by this seed is common. 

• Spray Jussia, soap bush and Wild cloves with a mixture of 2 and 1/2 ounces 2,4-D and 5 ounces Propanil in 4 gals water.

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Paddy Bug 

The paddy bug attacks the rice grain at two stages. Firstly at the milk stage and secondly at the dough stage. The damage during the milk stage results in unfilled or underfilled grains while damage during the dough stage causes discoloured and broken grains after milling. 

• For paddy bug control you need to spray a mixture of 6ozs of Monocrotophous (Nuvacron) and 2ozs of Fastac, Pestac, or Karate per acre.
• Spray early in the morning or later in the evening.
• To avoid an infestation clean all meres, dams and trenches. Remove all old rice plants from field.
• Inspect field early in the morning or late in the evening, if more than one paddy bug per panicle is seen you need to apply control measure.

Blast Disease

Rice blast is the most important disease of rice in Guyana. This disease causes severe yield reductions whenever it occurs.

• LEAF BLAST  - Small water soaked spots that enlarge and become spindle shaped.
• NODE BLAST - The node turns black, starts rotting and becomes brittle.
• NECK BLAST -  Young panicles show greyish ecrotic areas close to the uppermost node         and later turn black causing the panicle to fall off.

Control measures for Blast Disease 

•  Plant resistant or tolerant varieties.

•  Chemical Control

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Fertilizer recommendations for BR 444, BR 240, and F7-10.

Coastal frontal clays

• 65 kg/ha (58 lb/ac) TSP applied 18 - 21 days after sowing.
• 40 kg/ha (36 lb/ac) urea applied 18 - 21 days after sowing ( first dose)
• 80 kg/ha (72 lb/ac) urea applied 40 - 42 days after sowing (second dose).
• 40 kg/ha (36 lb/ac) urea applied 60 - 65 days after sowing (third dose).

Riverain clays and silts

• 65 kg/ha (58 lb/ac) TSP applied 18 - 21 days after sowing.
• 40 kg/ha (36 lb/ac) urea plus 20 kg/ha (18 lb/ac) Muriate of Potash applied 18 - 21 days after sowing or alternatively, 123 kg/ha (110lb/ac) 15:15:15 applied 18 - 21 days after sowing (first dose).
• 80 kg/ha (72 lb/ac) urea applied 40 -42 days after sowing (second dose).
• 40 kg/ha (36 lb/ac) urea applied 60 - 65 days after sowing (third dose).

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• With a leveled field flood for 1-2 weeks for the control of major weeds (Murainer and Jussia).
• Water should also be free of weed seeds.
• Where appropriate, sow seeds on puddled field and re-flood again in 4-7 days to kill major weeds.
• The presence of Duck Weed indicates too much water.
• Water availability is extremely critical at seedling, tillering and heading stages.
• Maintain water level at 7.5 - 10cm (3-4inches) until 80 - 85 days after seeding.

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• Drain fields between 80-85 days after sowing.
• Harvesting of Paddy to be milled into rice should be between 19-22% moisture.
• Harvesting at lower moisture leads to a high percentage of broken  grains.

AGE OF CROP AT WHICH HARVESTING SHOULD BE DONE.

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This page was created and maintained by D. Tello, GRDB, 117 Cowan Street,  Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana.

If you have any questions or comments,  please contact "grdb@gol.net.gy"