When we talk about growing rice, the puddling is the most important step that help grow bumper rice crop. Puddling of soil is a traditional farming practice where we make the soil appropriate for growing rice. In this blog, we are going to discuss what puddling of rice means, why it is important, the steps to do it the right way, popular puddling special tractors, and popular puddling implements.
Puddling in agriculture is particularly related to cultivation of paddy or rice. Puddling is a process of preparing the soil for growing the rice. Puddling of soil involves churning of soil in rice fields while it's flooded with water. This practice converts the soil into a semi-liquid state, resulting in puddled soil. This technique is particularly essential for lowland rice cultivation, where fields are flooded to create a waterlogged environment.
Puddling is the most critical step in rice cultivation as it helps suppress weeds, enhances nutrient availability, improves water retention, and reduces soil erosion, among others.
If we need to understand puddling in rice, then we need to understand puddling process completely. Below we have given step-by-step process starting from preparation of land to drainage of water.
Once the puddling process is over, the rice seedlings are transplanted into the puddled filed, taking advantage of the soft soil for easy planting.
4-wheel drive tractors below 50 HP are the most preferred tractors for puddling. Still, many tractor manufacturers like John Deere tractors and Sonalika tractors have come up with puddling special tractors. Some of the popular puddling special tractors are:
John Deere 5105 Puddling Special is a 40 HP tractor with a 3-cylinder engine. This 2WD tractor has a dry-type air filter, 1600 kg of lifting capacity, and ADDC for hydraulics control.
Sonalika Mahabali RX 42 Puddling Special tractor offers a 45 HP engine with an engine capacity of 2893 CC. It has a dual-clutch and has a lifting capacity of 2000 kg. These features make the model robust and attractive for puddling in rice.
John Deere 5045 D Power Pro 4WD Puddling Special is another popular tractor useful for puddling rice. It has a 46 HP, 3-cylinder engine and comes in a four-wheel drive model. It is also equipped with power steering and has a lifting capacity of 1600 kg.
Sonalika Mahabali DI 745 III Power Plus Puddling Special is another popular puddling special tractor from the Sonalika brand. It is a 50 HP model with an engine capacity of 2893 CC. It also offers a lifting capacity of 2000 kg and has power steering.
John Deere 3036E Puddling Special tractor with 36 HP engine power is a four-wheel drive tractor, thus making it suitable for any soil conditions. It has a lifting capacity of 910 kg and comes with power steering.
It is necessary to select the most efficient puddler in agriculture. While a wide range of puddler implements are available in the market, some of the popular models are:
John Deere PL1017 (With Leveler): This puddler from John Deere is compatible with 44+ HP tractors.
Shaktiman Dhaanmitram SRT-8(270)/SS CD: This puddler from Shaktiman is compatible with 40-60 HP tractors.
Maschio Gaspardo Paddy 165: This puddler from Maschio Gaspardo is compatible with 40-45 HP tractors.
Sonalika Paddyvator SLPSMSR-7: This puddler from Sonalika is compatible with 50+ HP tractors.
Lancer Akshat 26: This puddler from Lancer is compatible with 50-60 HP tractors.
Puddling in rice agriculture might seem like a simple process, but its impact on crop productivity and overall yield is immense. By creating puddled soil through careful preparation and skilful execution, farmers can provide their rice plants with an environment where they can thrive and flourish.
The benefits of puddling, from weed suppression to enhanced nutrient availability, make it a crucial technique in successful rice cultivation. Overall, puddling has significantly contributed towards the cultivation of rice.