Lodging solutions – Upright Leaves: A Solution to Protect Yields During the Rainy Season

[Technical Corner – Rice]

During the rainy season, in addition to severe pest and disease pressure, rice lodging near the end of the season is a major concern for farmers. This issue causes significant yield losses, increases harvesting costs, and leads to greater post-harvest losses.

So what causes rice lodging, and how can it be minimized?

Rice lodging can result from a variety of factors. Besides weather-related causes such as heavy rain and strong winds—which are beyond farmers’ control—there are several cultivation-related factors that play a major role:

Soft soil and shallow plow layers prevent rice roots from anchoring firmly into the ground.

Continuous waterlogging weakens the roots, making them shallow, and softens the leaf sheaths, reducing plant strength.

Overuse of nitrogen fertilizer, especially during the panicle initiation stage, causes the rice plant to elongate excessively, particularly in the 3rd and 4th internodes. This results in taller, weaker plants that are more prone to lodging.

So, what’s the solution?

To minimize rice lodging at the end of the season, especially during the rainy season—farmers should take preventive measures early in the crop cycle:

Prepare the soil thoroughly to support strong root development. Deep plowing and treatment of soil toxins (such as acidity or organic residues) are essential.

Manage water proactively, including mid-season drainage to encourage deeper rooting and stronger stems.

Balance nitrogen fertilizer, particularly during the panicle initiation stage, to prevent excessive stem elongation.
Farmers can apply Zuron 150WP at a dosage of 500 g/ha during the 20–30 day growth stage.
This product helps strengthen the rice stem, significantly reducing lodging. In addition, it enhances tillering and improves the plant’s resistance to adverse environmental conditions.

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