Monsoon keeps its date, but dry spells a worry for paddy crop

Despite Goa receiving more than normal rainfall this year beating the El-Nino effect, agriculture experts feel the erratic dry spells witnessed in between will decrease paddy production per unit area.
"Though the overall rainfall has been satisfactory, there have been erratic dry spells during the last 25-30 days. This break in monsoon over a period of time will affect the grain output in coastal sandy soils and uplands where there are chances of drastic yield reduction," Indian Council for Agricultural Research's (ICAR) scientist on Goa campus Dr H R Prabhudesai said.
The period from late September to October is very crucial for rice crop, since it (crop) passes through four rapid stages during these last months.

"These stages are panicle initiation, milky stage, dough stage and grain formation stage. Any water stress during these phases has direct effect on final grain yield," he said.
The water stress at these critical stages may result in "empty earheads" and grain locally termed as "Pol". However, in low lying paddy fields, which have a better water holding capacity due to the clay content in such soils, the yields may be satisfactory, he said.
"Overall, I feel given the lethargic attitude of majority of farmers who leave everything to nature after sowing the crop, the paddy production per unit area will be less as compared to normal," he added.

According to MeT department's local observatory, the state received 106 inches of rainfall this monsoon season.
The post-monsoon showers are also proving to be worry for the farmers.
Prabhudesai said if post-monsoon showers coincide with the harvesting stage with crop showing signs of over maturity, there could be "lodging of plant" with ultimate grain loss.