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Paddy first-dose (basal) fertilizer schedule

The basal fertiliser dose in transplanted paddy is applied at puddling or at transplanting and is designed to establish root growth and support early tillering. ICAR-IIRR and the TNAU paddy package-of-practices treat this as the first of three nitrogen splits and as the principal placement window for the entire seasonal P2O5 dose and most or all of the K2O dose.

Principle

Phosphorus and zinc are poorly mobile in soil and must be placed close to the developing root system. Potassium leaching losses in flooded paddy are lower than for nitrate-N, allowing most K to be placed basally without significant loss. Nitrogen, however, is highly leaky in flooded soils and is therefore split into three doses across the season; only a small fraction (typically 15-20%) is applied basally.

Implementation

Standard package-of-practices for transplanted paddy:

  • Nitrogen (basal share): approximately 15-20% of seasonal N, typically supplied through Urea or as part of Dap / Complex 20 20 0 13.
  • Phosphate: entire P2O5 dose, supplied through Dap or 20-20-0-13.
  • Potash: entire K2O dose (or roughly half, with the rest at active tillering), supplied through Muriate Of Potash.
  • Zinc: 10-25 kg Zinc Sulphate per hectare to address widespread Zn deficiency in paddy soils; alternatively Edta Chelated Zinc at the equivalent Zn rate.

Materials are broadcast on the puddled field immediately before transplanting and lightly incorporated by harrowing or by walking through the soil. Standing-water depth at application is kept low to minimise nitrogen loss.

Adoption context

This basal schedule is the standard recommendation across Indian paddy belts; state agricultural departments publish district-specific recommended doses (RDFs) that adjust the absolute quantities for soil-test status and target yield. Subsequent splits are timed for active tillering (Paddy Tillering Top Dressing) and panicle initiation (Paddy Third Dose Fertilizer).

Limitations

Splitting N alone is insufficient if water management is poor: alternate wetting-and-drying or shallow-flood management is necessary to retain applied N. On very light or very heavy soils the basal share of N may need adjustment; on alkaline soils, ammonium sulphate may replace part of the urea (see Ammonium Sulphate Paddy).

See also: Paddy Tillering Top Dressing, Paddy Third Dose Fertilizer, Dap, Urea, Muriate Of Potash, Zinc Sulphate, Complex 20 20 0 13.

References

  1. Paddy Nutrient Management. TNAU Expert System.
  2. Basal Fertilizer Dosage for Paddy Crop. AgriBot/Extension reference.