08/01/2026
Transplanting rice is a traditional and highly effective method of cultivation that involves moving young seedlings from a nursery into a flooded field (paddy). This process ensures a uniform plant stand and gives the rice a head start against weeds.
Here is a step-by-step description of how to transplant rice.
1. Nursery Preparation (The Seedbed)
Before the main field is ready, rice is grown in a controlled nursery for 15 to 30 days.
* Sowing: Pre-germinated seeds are broadcast onto a "wet-bed" (puddled soil) or "dry-bed."
* Management: The nursery is kept moist and weed-free. Seedlings are ready for transplanting when they reach the 3 to 4-leaf stage.
* Uprooting: To minimize damage, the nursery is flooded shortly before pulling. Seedlings are held near the base and pulled gently to keep the roots intact.
2. Main Field Preparation (Puddling)
The main field must be prepared to create a soft, muddy environment that can support the young plants.
* Tilling: The field is plowed and harrowed to break up the soil.
* Puddling: The field is flooded with water and tilled again to create a soft "puddle." This helps reduce water percolation and makes it easier to insert seedlings.
* Leveling: A flat board or leveler is used to ensure the water depth is consistent across the field.
3. The Transplanting Process
Transplanting can be done manually (by hand) or by a mechanical transplanter.
Manual Transplanting
* Spacing: Seedlings are typically planted in rows to make weeding easier. A common spacing is 20 cm x 20 cm. Farmers often use a marked rope as a guide.
* Planting Depth: 2–3 seedlings (called a "hill") are inserted into the mud at a shallow depth of 2–3 cm.
> Note: Planting too deep can delay the "tillering" (growth of side shoots), while planting too shallow may cause the seedlings to float away.
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* Orientation: Seedlings should be placed upright so the green parts remain above the water line.
Mechanical Transplanting
* Seedling Mats: For machines, seedlings are grown in special "mats" or trays.
* Operation: The machine travels through the puddled field, using mechanical "fingers" to pick up small sections of the mat and push them into the soil at precise intervals.
4. Post-Transplanting Care
* Water Levels: For the first week, a shallow water level of 2–3 cm is maintained to help the seedlings recover from "transplant shock."
* Replacement: "Gap filling" is done within the first 10 days, where any dead seedlings are replaced with fresh ones from the nursery.
