Smart Feeding for Healthy Paddy Quiz

Explore key concepts in paddy nutrient management, from fertilizer timing to deficiency symptoms, to support optimal rice cultivation. This quiz challenges your understanding of best practices for nutrient use and environmental protection in paddy fields.

1. Nitrogen Application Timing

   Which growth stage in paddy rice typically requires the largest portion of nitrogen fertilizer to ensure healthy grain development?

   1. Seed germination stage
   2. Seedling emergence stage
   3. Harvest stage
   4. Panicle initiation stage

   Explanation: The panicle initiation stage is when rice plants need the most nitrogen for maximum grain yield. Seed germination and seedling emergence require less nitrogen. Harvest stage is too late for nutrient uptake, and applying nitrogen then offers no benefit.

2. Phosphorus Deficiency Symptom

   What is a common visible symptom of phosphorus deficiency in paddy rice plants?

   1. Leaf rolling during midday
   2. Stunted growth with purplish coloration
   3. Chlorosis starting at leaf tips
   4. Presence of brown spots on leaves

   Explanation: Phosphorus deficiency often leads to stunted growth and a purplish coloration of leaves. Chlorosis starting at leaf tips is related to nitrogen or potassium deficiency. Leaf rolling is more typical of water stress, and brown spots often suggest disease or severe mineral toxicity.

3. Balanced Fertilizer Use

   Why is balanced application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers recommended in paddy fields?

   1. It prevents specific nutrient excesses and promotes plant health
   2. It makes irrigation unnecessary
   3. It increases weed competition
   4. It eliminates the need for soil testing

   Explanation: Balanced application avoids both deficiencies and toxicities, supporting optimal growth and yield. It does not replace irrigation, increase weeds, or remove the need for soil testing, which are all separate aspects of crop management.

4. Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy

   Which method best reduces nutrient loss from paddy fields and enhances fertilizer efficiency?

   1. Broadcasting all fertilizers at once before planting
   2. Mixing fertilizers with crop residues without incorporation
   3. Applying fertilizers in split doses according to crop stage
   4. Relying only on rainwater for nutrient delivery

   Explanation: Splitting fertilizer applications matches nutrient supply with crop demand, reducing leaching and volatilization. Broadcasting all at once leads to losses, rainwater alone can't deliver needed nutrients, and mixing fertilizers with residue without proper incorporation doesn't ensure efficient nutrient uptake.

5. Environmental Impact of Overuse

   What is a key environmental consequence of excessive nitrogen fertilizer use in rice cultivation?

   1. Increased soil pH beyond optimal levels
   2. Decrease in greenhouse gas emissions
   3. Improved drought resistance in plants
   4. Water pollution through nitrate leaching

   Explanation: Excessive nitrogen can leach into water bodies, causing pollution and ecosystem harm. It does not improve drought resistance, often increases greenhouse gas emissions like nitrous oxide, and generally lowers, not raises, soil pH due to acidification.