Special technologies for problem soils

a) Fluffy Paddy Soils :

• Prevalent in Cauvery delta zone
• Compact the soil by passing 400 kg stone roller or oil-drum with stones inside, eight times. at proper moisture level (moisture level at friable condition of soil which is approximately 13 to 18%) once in three years to prevent the sinking of draught animals and workers during puddling.

b) Sodic Soils :

• Predominant districts : Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai , Thiruvallur, Ramanathapuram, Velur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Salem, Dharmapuri, Villupuram, Thirunelveli, Perambalur, Tiruchirapalli, Namakkal and Cuddalore.
• Plough at optimum moisture regime.
• Apply gypsum at 50% gypsum requirement uniformly and impound water.
• Provide drainage for leaching out soluble salts.
• Apply green leaf manure at 5 t/ha, 10 to 15 days before transplanting.
• Mix 37.5 kg of zinc sulphate per ha with sand to make a total quantity of 75 kg and spread the mixture uniformly on the levelled field.
• Do not incorporate the mixture in the soil.

c) Saline Soils :

• Predominant districts : Nagapattinam, Kanchipuram, Namakkal, Thiruvarur and Thiruvallur.
• Provide lateral and main drainage channels (60 cm deep and 45 cm wide).
• Apply green leaf manure at 5 t/ha at 10 to 15 days before transplanting.
• Add 25% extra dose of nitrogen in addition to recommended P, K and ZnSO 4 .

d) Acid Soils :

• Predominant districts : Ooty, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Pudukottai and Kanyakumari.
• Apply lime (as per lime requirement of the soil) before last ploughing.