2017 Volume 86 Issue 2 Pages 201-209
In the submerged direct-seeded rice cultivation, seedling establishment is important. For direct seeding, seeds are coated with chemicals such as calcium peroxide. The cost of the chemical is expensive and the coating labor is burdensome. A new seed coating method, “benmoly coating” was invented to lower the cost and burden. In this method, seeds are coated with a powdered mixture of molybdenum trioxide, iron oxide and polyvinyl alcohol. From 2013 to 2015, cultivation trials were conducted in 6 paddy fields in Saga Prefecture in Kyushu. Each paddy field had 2 experimental plots. In one plot, seeds were coated with calcium peroxide, and in another plot, seeds were benmoly-coated. Seeds were directly seeded by a shooting hill-seeder. The seedling establishment was good regardless of the coating method. There was no significant difference between the plots in the seedling establishment, growth, and yield of rice plants. Also there was no significant difference between the plots in molybdenum contents of the above-ground part, husked rice and soil after the cultivation. In the surrounding fields benmoly-coated seeds were cultivated and in these fields, the seedling establishments and yields were also good in general. Accordingly, benmoly coating could be useful in the submerged direct-seeded rice cultivation with a shooting hill-seeder in warm regions. It can save the cost and the labor for coating.
