Challenge your understanding of optimal ragi nutrient management strategies, including fertilization, deficiency signs, and sustainable practices. Explore essential guidelines for maximizing growth and yield through effective nutrient applications.
What is the most suitable method for applying nitrogen to ragi fields for optimal uptake and crop health?
Explanation: Split application at sowing and tillering ensures nitrogen is available during key growth phases, minimizing losses and improving efficiency. Single basal application can lead to losses and insufficient nitrogen later. Top dressing only at flowering is late and less effective. Foliar spray after panicle initiation contributes little at that stage of nutrient demand.
Which primary benefit does potassium provide to ragi plants during their growing season?
Explanation: Potassium helps ragi regulate water use, thereby improving drought tolerance. It does not increase disease susceptibility; adequate potassium actually supports disease resistance. Delayed flowering or excessive vegetative growth are not primary roles of potassium in ragi.
A ragi farmer observes stunted growth, yellowing of younger leaves, and limited tillering. What nutrient deficiency do these symptoms most likely indicate?
Explanation: Zinc deficiency typically causes stunted growth, chlorosis on younger leaves, and reduced tillering. Calcium deficiency tends to affect root and shoot tips, boron deficiency is rare in ragi, and phosphorus deficiency shows as purple discoloration, not yellowing.
Which practice helps sustain nutrient supply and soil health in ragi fields long-term?
Explanation: Incorporating organic matter like compost improves soil fertility, structure, and microbial activity, supporting sustainable ragi nutrition. Sole reliance on synthetic fertilizers depletes soil over time. Burning crop residues harms soil health, while leaving fields bare increases erosion risk.
At which stage is phosphorus most crucial for ragi plants to ensure strong root development and early crop establishment?
Explanation: Phosphorus is vital during the early seedling stage for healthy root growth and crop establishment. It is less critical at maturity or after grain filling, as most uptake occurs early. The late vegetative phase does not require as much phosphorus compared to seedling establishment.