Question

Question 26
Paddy is a major cereal crop in our country.
a. In which season is paddy cultivated?
b. Discuss the method of sowing.
c. What measures must be taken to prevent spoilage and insect attack of harvested grains.

Answer 1

a. Paddy is a kharif crop and is cultivated in the months of June to September during the rainy season/monsoon.
b. Paddy is first grown in a nursery. Paddy requires lots of water to germinate. So the seeds are first planted in a wet muddy field or in shallow watery beds. The seedlings germinate in 3-5 days. Once the seedlings develop the root and initial leaves, they are then transferred to the main field where rest of the growth cycle of the crop takes place.
c. Harvested grains need to be protected against spoilage by various agents viz. insects, rodents, microbial attacks etc. For this purpose the grains need to be stored with ample precautions. To prevent spoilage related to microbial attacks, the grains must be dried properly before storage. To keep insects and rodents at bay, certain chemicals are used in pellet forms. These chemicals certainly protect the harvest from insects and rodents but they also add their nature to the harvest. Hence grains should be properly washed and dried again prior to consumption.