If a soil test is not available, apply 70:35:35 kg N, P2O5, K2O per hectare for varieties and 80:40:40 kg for hybrids. Apply all P and K basally; split N as 25% at sowing, 50% at 15 days and 25% at 30 days, and irrigate after top dressing. For rainfed conditions, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria (or Azophos) with 75% of the recommended N and P is recommended. Apply 30 kg S basally in sulphur-deficient soils. If micronutrient mixture is not available, apply 25 kg zinc sulphate per hectare.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Application of fertilizers; top dressing, pp. 84–86
Region
Tamil Nadu
Last updated
2026-11-04
Weed control
If no pre-emergence herbicide is used, hand-weed twice: on the 15th day and on the 30th–35th day. (The source also gives atrazine 0.25 kg/ha as pre-emergence on the 3rd day, followed by one hand weeding at 30–35 days, applied only when the soil has enough moisture.)
Light soils, 8 irrigations: 1st day after transplanting, then the 4th, 15th, 28th, 40th, 52nd, 65th and 77th day. Heavy soils, 7 irrigations: 1st, 4th, 15th, 28th, 42nd, 54th and 66th day. This is only a guideline; adjust it to the weather.
Pending expert review
Source
Crop Production Guide – Agriculture 2020 (Directorate of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu & Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU)), Cumbu – Water management, pp. 86–87
