Detailed Explanation of Upland Rice Cultivation Techniques: From Sowing to Field Management Key Points

Upland rice refers to the practice, under dryland conditions, of selecting high-quality rice varieties with relatively strong drought tolerance, adopting dry direct seeding, relying mainly on natural rainfall throughout the growth period, and appropriately supplementing water during drought in key growth stages, so that rice can grow and develop normally and flower and set seed under relatively moist soil conditions. The key points of upland rice cultivation techniques are introduced as follows:

1. Variety selection

Because the sowing period of upland rice is later than the seedling-raising period of paddy rice, varieties with early maturity should be considered in variety selection. The varieties recently approved at the national level in our province include: Tianjing No. 4 (Fengyou 109) and Tianjing No. 5 (Teyou 13). Under dryland cultivation conditions, these two varieties have a whole growth period of 136-140 days. There are also varieties such as Qin'ai and Han 9710, all suitable for dryland cultivation in the central and western regions of our province. Whether the variety selection is right or wrong is the key to the success or failure of upland rice cultivation.

2. Land selection and land preparation

It is advisable to choose low-lying, flat land with few weeds, good soil structure, neutral or slightly acidic soil, light saline-alkali soil or non-saline-alkali soil, and preferably plots with water supplement conditions or a relatively high groundwater table. Land preparation should be fine and meticulous. Carry out autumn plowing before the soil freezes, and implement rotary tillage and harrowing in spring, meeting the requirements of level ground, sufficient soil moisture, and no clods. For saline-alkali soil with a pH above 7.5 and sticky cloddy soil, upland rice is not suitable for planting.

3. Sowing period and methods

1. Sowing period: It is more suitable to begin sowing when the local average temperature stabilizes above 10°C and the soil temperature reaches above 12°C. In the central plain region of Jilin Province, late April or early May is best. Be sure to seize the suitable period and sow early according to soil moisture conditions, so as to obtain full stands.

2. Sowing method and seeding rate: For flat drilling, the dry seed rate is 125 kg per hectare, with about 500 seeds falling per square meter.

3. Sowing depth and method: Under suitable soil moisture conditions, the general sowing depth is preferably 2-3 cm after compaction. Use a hoe manually or a plow mechanically to open furrows 8-10 cm deep and 8 cm wide, first applying diammonium phosphate and ammonium sulfate (15 kg each per 1000 sq m) and potassium sulfate (25 kg per 1000 sq m) as seed furrow fertilizer. If it is necessary to control mole crickets and other underground pests, mix Duguiling or similar into the fertilizer and apply it with the seed furrow fertilizer, then sow evenly as required, ensuring no clustering and no breaks in the row. After sowing, promptly tread the upper grid or use a roller to compact the whole field once, so as to preserve soil moisture and promote full germination.

4. Field management

1. Check sowing quality: After sowing, conduct a comprehensive check. Where soil cover is too deep or there are large clods, use a rake to remove them. Where soil cover is too shallow or not firm, promptly cover with soil, seal tightly, and tread firm.

2. Loosen soil to help seedlings: When seedlings have difficulty emerging because soil cover is too deep or because the surface soil has formed a hard crust, promptly use a short-toothed small nail harrow to break open the hard crust or thick soil, so as to help seedlings emerge and eliminate some weeds among the seedlings.

3. Topdressing: Apply topdressing in a timely and appropriate amount according to weather, soil, and seedlings. Generally, on plots with medium fertility, it is appropriate to apply 40 kg of ammonium sulfate or 25 kg of ammonium nitrate per 1000 sq m. Generally apply twice. For the first application, at the beginning of tillering (mid-June), choose to broadcast 60-70% of the total topdressing amount before rain. The remaining 30-40% must be applied before rain at the jointing stage (before July 10) or combined with water supplementation, with the fertilization amount controlled at 200 kg of pure nitrogen per hectare.

4. Water supplementation: Water supplementation should be flexibly controlled according to natural rainfall and the various growth stages of rice. During key growth stages of rice, if natural rainfall is insufficient, water may be appropriately supplemented. Before the 5-leaf stage, try not to supplement water. Generally, at the tillering stage (mid-to-late June), jointing stage (around July 10), flowering stage (around late July), and grain-filling stage (around mid-August), when soil moisture content drops to the minimum indicator (rice leaves curl and do not unfold), water should be supplemented. Each water supplementation is 300-450 cubic meters per hectare.

5. Weed control: Combine manual and chemical weed control. For the first seedling-stage weed control (from rice cone stage to 2-leaf stage), use 30 g of 50% kuishaba per 1000 sq m, mixed with 50 kg of water for uniform spraying. For the second treatment when weeds sprout again, use 200 g of 25% bentazone plus 35 g of 50% kuishaba per 1000 sq m, mixed with 50 kg of water for spraying. If weeds appear after that, mainly rely on manual hoeing.

6. Pest and disease control: In years and plots with severe rice blast, control should be carried out early. Generally, spray once each at the rice booting stage and full heading stage, using 60 g of 40% Fuji One per 1000 sq m mixed with 50 kg of water for spraying. In years and plots with severe stem borer, use 100 g of 50% fenitrothion per 1000 sq m in early July for conventional spraying. In years and plots with severe armyworm, use 65 mL of 50% phoxim per 1000 sq m mixed with 65 kg of water for spraying.

With global warming and water shortages, the upland rice planting area continues to rise, and upland rice has broad development prospects.