How to Deal with Late Spring Cold Snaps During Rice Seedling Raising
Spring is the season for rice planting, but late spring cold snaps are often unavoidable, affecting rice sowing, emergence and growth, and bringing immeasurable losses to farmers. So what should you do when a late spring cold snap hits during rice seedling raising? Let's take a detailed look together.
1. Sow at the Right Time
To prevent late spring cold snaps, the sowing time must be well controlled. Generally, sowing can be done when the air temperature is 5-6 degrees, the seedbed temperature is 12 degrees, and the soil has thawed to a depth of more than 20 cm. Therefore, when sowing, be sure to check the weather forecast, and as far as possible avoid low-temperature, overcast and rainy weather without delaying farming. When the daily average temperature is steadily above 10 degrees and the lowest temperature is not below 5 degrees, choose a clear day to sow, and at the same time make preparations for soaking and sprouting the seeds so that the seeds emerge as quickly as possible.
2. Lay Plastic Film Flat
After sowing and covering with soil, lay plastic film flat, which can raise the ground temperature by 1-2 degrees and greatly ease the low-temperature effects brought by a late spring cold snap. This method is often used in northern cultivation and seedling raising, with good results. Generally, when the nighttime temperature is not below 5 degrees, no additional insulation or cold protection measures are needed. Watch the weather forecast: when a low-temperature cold wave is detected, you can also cover with straw for insulation. After the seedlings emerge and when the temperature is too high, remove the plastic film promptly to avoid excessively high ground temperature affecting normal seedling growth.
3. No Watering Before the Two-Leaf Stage
When using dry-field seedling raising, if the soil has been thoroughly watered, watering is prohibited before the seedlings reach the two-leaf stage, because watering during this period lowers the ground temperature and is unfavorable for seedling root growth. Once the temperature is too low, the roots may even freeze, making the seedling roots fragile and highly prone to disease infection later on, so cultivating strong seedlings becomes a vain hope.
4. Regulate Temperature with Water
If a late spring cold snap occurs during the transplanting period, you can protect the seedlings in the seedbed with deep water when the cold snap arrives, filling with water to raise the water level, which can raise the ground temperature, protect the seedling roots, and allow them to grow safely. The height of the irrigation water should be adjusted flexibly according to the age of the seedlings, and the water level should be lowered after the late spring cold snap passes.
The above is an introduction to what to do when a late spring cold snap hits during rice seedling raising. We hope it helps you. For more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.