Stubble burning leads to weed growth: Experts
Stubble burning is a major issue in the state. Due to short the window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, the majority of the farmers often opt for full or partial burning of paddy straw considering it an easy option.
This not only results in loss of valuable soil nutrients but also pollutes the environment. Uncontrolled burning of paddy residue also harms micro-organisms present in the upper layer of soil and loss of trees, small animals and birds’ life, Mandeep Singh from Punjab Agricultural University’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) said.
Experts from the PAU added that although farmers gave the plea that burning destroyed all the unwanted weeds present in the fields but watering the field to subside fire was causing harm to the next crop as it led to growth of weed due to moisture.
Rice is a major kharif crop of the state. It is infested with different type of grass, broad leaf and sedge weeds. “It is generally seen that farmers first burn the field and then pour water over it to cool it down which is proving very dangerous to the environment as solar radiation is required for the fields at this time since it is getting ready for the next crop. It leads to germination of weeds which causes damage to the next crop,” an expert said.
On the other hand, the presently available in-situ paddy straw management technologies help in improving soil health and increasing crop productivity, Sunil Kumar from KVK added.
Machines which can be used for efficient and easy management of paddy residues in the field itself instead of its burning:
Super SMS loaded combine harvester: It chops and spreads the paddy straw uniformly in the field. After using this combine any in-situ management machine for wheat sowing can be used without any problem.
Happy Seeder: This machine is to be used after harvesting of paddy with Super SMS combine harvester. This machine is fitted with flail blades in front of each tine that cuts standing stubble and loose straw coming in the way of tines and pushes it on the sides.
Avoid using this machine early in the morning or late in the evening when there is more dew. The combine harvesting of paddy should be carried out when the soil moisture is at such a level that there are no deep tracks formed by the treads during harvesting operation.
Super seeder: The super seeder machine, features a rotavator system at front of the machine that incorporates paddy straw in the field. The harvesting of paddy crop with Super SMS combine is a precursor before using this machine, otherwise it may experience choking issues under heavy straw load conditions. Avoid using this machine in fields heavily infested with weeds. The weight of press roller should be adjusted in such a way that there is no hard layer formation, otherwise it will affect wheat emergence.
PAU Smart seeder: This machine is a combination of happy seeder and super seeder. This machine incorporates paddy straw of only 2-2.5 inches strip width while the straw between this strip remains in the field as such.
Mulching method: This method became popular amongst farmers in recent years due to very less cost of sowing associated with it. In this method farmer manually broadcasts seed and DAP uniformly in the field. After it, slasher or cutter-cum spreader or mulcher is used for chopping and spreading of paddy straw.
