Seed Production

A Virtual Presentation on Red Rice, It’s Economic Importance and Management by GRDB’s Agronomist and Head of Seed Production, Dr. Ghansham Payman – October 26th, 2020. Click to View.

The main objective of the Seed Production Department is to produce sufficient quantity of high quality seed for farmers. During the year, 1,516.1 tonnes (23,822 bags of 140 lbs) of seed consisting of 12 commercial varieties were produced (see table below). These seeds were distributed to farmers across the country.

During the year, approximately twenty four percent of the varieties grown consisted of the G98 varieties, while the others grown were 1.0% GRDB 9, 34.0% GRDB 10, 5.9% GRDB 11, 11.4% GRDB 12, 1.0% Aromatic, 20.4%, GRDB 14, 1.9% Rustic, and 0.6% IR-22. An additional 18.2 tonnes (285.9 bags) were also harvested from experimental plots and sold as grains.

Graph below showing the different varieties of seeds produced for 2015 at BRRS

Based on the graph above, seeds of variety GRDB 10 was the most dominant produced, followed by GRDB 14, G 98-196 and GRDB 12. Varieties G 98 30-3 and GRDB 11 were the others where more than a thousand bags of seeds were produced for the calendar year. Seeds produced from other varieties mentioned were below that of GRDB 11 of which IR-22 was the least in terms of the number of bags of seeds produced.

• Land Preparation

Land preparation for the spring crop included 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd roam on a total of 440.9, 453.5 and 44.8 acres respectively while 400.8 and 354.1 acres received 1^st and 2^nd chip. Further, 12.56 acres received disc ploughing. Final land preparation (rake and leveling) was done on 354.1 acres. In addition, 260.11 acres received dry land leveling.

For the Autumn Crop 1^st and 2^nd roam accounted for 453.0 and 323.94 acres respectively. In addition, 453.5 acres received 1^st and 2^nd chip respectively, while 3^rd chip was done on 158.9 acres. Final land preparation (rake and leveling) was done on 453.5 acres. Additionally, 107.3 acres received dry land leveling.

• Sowing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A total of 345.51 and 368.64 acres were sown for the spring and autumn crops, while 345.53 and 364.64 acres were established respectively. Sowing for both the spring and autumn crop was done manually.

The most dominant variety sown during 2015 was GRDB 10 while the least sown was IR-22.

• Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer application was based on soil test recommendations in which balance nutrition fertilizers and micro-nutrients were applied in both crops. During the Spring Crop 8:32:16 and 6:25:25 were incorporated on a total of 187.5 and 158.01 acres respectively. In addition, micro-nutrients Boron and Zinc Chelate were applied on 345.51 and 90.05 acres respectively. In the Autumn Crop 8:32:16 and 6:25:25 were applied on 166.64 and 202.0 acres while 368.64 and 69.39 acres received Boron and Zinc Chelate respectively. Urea was applied in two splits for both crops using two bags per acre.

• Rogueing                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             All established acres were rogued in an effort to produce quality seed in both crops.

• Harvesting                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            A total of 345.51 and 364.27 acres were harvested for the spring and autumn Crop with average yields of 36.79 and 30.50 bags/ac respectively.