How to Achieve High Rice Yields in Summer? Master Five Cultivation and Management Points

Summer is a critical period for growing rice. If this period is not managed well, it may lead to reduced yields. So what are the cultivation and management secrets for high summer rice yields?

1. Early intertillage to clear stubble

When summer millet is sown on stubble, the soil is generally compacted, with poor ventilation and permeability, which is very unfavorable for seedling growth. Therefore, intertillage should be carried out early to clear stubble, break up compaction, loosen the soil, eliminate weeds, and improve the nutrient environment for summer millet. The first intertillage is generally done together with thinning, combining weed removal, stubble clearing, and hilling of seedlings. Before jointing, carry out one deep intertillage to break shallow roots and promote new roots, encouraging roots to grow downward and form a strong root system, enhancing the ability to absorb water and nutrients.

2. Early rolling to press seedlings

In plots with good water and nutrient conditions, higher yields, and a risk of lodging later, when seedlings have grown 2-3 leaves, roll to press the seedlings, that is, roll or tread with feet on a sunny afternoon when the leaves of young seedlings droop. If the surface soil has high moisture, rolling is not suitable. Pressing can effectively control excessive aboveground growth, make the stem base of millet seedlings thicker, promote early and rapid rooting, improve seedling drought resistance and the ability to absorb water and nutrients, prevent lodging, and play a role in seedling hardening.

3. Early thinning and final thinning

For summer millet, the time from emergence to jointing is short and growth is fast, and by this time the rainy season has already begun. If there is continuous rain, fibrous roots grow very quickly, often making thinning difficult, not only labor-intensive but also damaging seedlings and affecting seedling growth. When summer millet has three leaves and one heart, it is the suitable time for thinning, removing diseased and weak seedlings and weeds. Timely thinning generally increases yield by 10-15% compared with late thinning. When there are five leaves and one heart, it is the suitable time for final thinning, leaving seedlings evenly, keeping strong seedlings, with 50,000-60,000 plants per mu.

4. Early topdressing and watering

Generally, before jointing of summer millet, apply 10 kg of urea per mu, which can be applied together with watering. When soil moisture is good, it can be applied directly with a drill. Summer millet generally needs sufficient bottom moisture water; if bottom moisture water is not applied, seedling-stage water should be applied in time to promote early seedling development. After jointing, vegetative growth and reproductive growth proceed simultaneously, requiring more water. At this time, millet is most afraid of “drought in the booting stage” and “neck-blocking drought”. If soil moisture is poor, be sure to water sufficiently. Keep the ground moist to promote large panicle development and good grain filling. Never water in windy weather to prevent lodging.

5. Early pest control

The main pests of summer millet are stem borers and armyworms. The suitable time to control summer millet stem borers is at two leaves and one heart, using poisoned soil. Preparation method: use 100-200 ml of 50% 1605 emulsion, first dilute with a small amount of water, then spray with a sprayer onto 40 kg of fine dry soil and stir evenly. Apply 20 kg of poisoned soil per mu along the seedling rows on the young seedling heart leaves, leaf sheaths, and ground surface. After the booting stage, also pay attention to controlling armyworms, which can be sprayed with dimethoate powder.

In summary, the secret to high yields is to grasp the five early measures. As long as these are grasped, they can increase your yield and make your rice grow better.