Irrigated Winter Upland Rice - Production Calendar - Seed Co Malawi | Field Crops

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Variety: Nerica 4 (Upland Rice) \| Maturity: 100

WEEK	CROP STAGE	KEY ACTIONS	NOTES / FOCUS
–1	Pre-Planting Preparation	• Select upland site with well-drained, fertile sandy-loam soil • Conduct soil test; correct pH to 5.5–6.5 • Plough or rip and harrow to fine tilth • Apply basal fertilizer (Di-Ammonium Phosphate at 50 kg/acre) • Plan furrow or drip irrigation layout for upland rice	Nerica 4 is an upland variety — NO flooding required. Irrigate like field crops.
0	Planting (Day 1)	• Seed rate: 12 kg/acre • Planting method: drill in rows (30 cm spacing) or broadcast and cover • Plant depth: 2–3 cm • First irrigation: 25 mm immediately after planting • Optimal planting period: May–June for Malawi winter window	*Good seed-soil contact is critical. Roll or pack seedbed after planting.*
1–2	Germination & Emergence	• Keep soil moist (20–25 mm every 5 days) until emergence • Check germination at day 7; gap-fill if <80% establishment • Apply pre-emergent herbicide after planting (before emergence) • Scout for birds and rodents in first 2 weeks	Protect seedlings from birds — use netting or scare devices if needed.
2–4	Seedling & Tillering	• Apply first top-dressing: CAN or Urea at 40 kg/acre (around day 21) • Apply post-emergent herbicide for grass weeds (day 14–28) • Irrigation: 20–25 mm every 5–7 days • Scout for rice blast, brown spot, and stem borers • Rogue out off-type plants to maintain variety purity	Strong tillering = more panicles = higher yield.
5–7	Panicle Initiation & Booting	• Apply second top-dressing: Urea at 40 kg/acre at panicle initiation • Increase irrigation: 25–30 mm per week • Scout intensively for rice blast — spray fungicide (tricyclazole or propiconazole) prophylactically • Control stem borers and leaf folders • Ensure field is weed-free before heading	*⚠ Booting is most critical for yield. Protect from blast and insects.*
8–9	Heading & Flowering	• Irrigation: 25–30 mm/week — do not stress crop during flowering • Apply 2nd fungicide spray if blast pressure is high • Scout for panicle blast, sheath blight, and neck rot • Avoid spraying insecticide during peak flowering (morning hours)	*Flowering: 7–10 days. Water stress during this period causes spikelet sterility.*
10–13	Grain Filling & Ripening	• Maintain irrigation at 20–25 mm/week until grain is hard • Scout for rice bugs (stink bugs) and birds — they damage grain directly • Stop irrigation when 80% of panicles are golden-yellow • Begin harvest planning: arrange threshers and drying facilities	Protect panicles from birds and insects during grain fill.
13–15	Harvest & Post-Harvest	• Harvest when 80–85% of grains are golden-yellow (approx. 100 days from planting) • Grain moisture at harvest: 20–22% (sun-dry to 14% for storage) • Thresh promptly to avoid shattering losses • Dry paddy to 14% moisture before milling or storage • Store in clean, dry, aerated stores — use hermetic bags if possible	*Timely harvest avoids shattering and bird losses. Target 1.6 tons/acre.*

Seed Co Malawi Rice Variety: Nerica 4 (Upland Rice) — Matures in 100 days \| Yield potential: 32 bags (1.6 tons)/acre \| Seed rate: 12 kg/acre. Nerica 4 is suited to Malawi’s upland zones and does NOT require flooded paddies. For site-specific advice contact a Seed Co agronomist. Toll Free: 2027.