Boro seedbeds in winter: how to protect seedlings from cold
Most Boro seedbeds are sown from mid November to December. That is also when cold waves and dense fog begin, especially in the north. Young seedlings that get too cold turn yellow, then reddish-brown, and can die, and the farmer has to buy seed and sow again, losing weeks.
An officer of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) warned during an earlier cold wave that crops may be harmed if the temperature falls to 2–3°C and stays there for 24 hours. Seedbeds are the most at risk.
Before sowing
- Use good, certified seed of a variety suited to your area. Ask the Upazila Agriculture Office which Boro varieties tolerate cold.
- Choose a sunny, open spot for the bed, away from tall trees and shade.
- Make the bed slightly raised and well levelled, with drains on the sides, so water can be controlled.
When the cold comes
- Cover the bed with clear polythene in the evening and at night, on a frame of bamboo sticks so it does not touch the seedlings.
- Open the cover in the morning once the sun is out, so the seedlings get light and air. Leaving it closed all day can overheat and weaken them.
- Keep a thin layer of water in the bed at night; it holds warmth. Drain and replace cold water in the morning.
- Brush or shake off dew from the leaves in the morning.
- If seedlings turn yellow, do not pour in fertiliser on guesswork. Call 16123 or show the bed to your Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer first.
Transplanting
Do not move seedlings to the main field during a cold spell. Wait for a few warmer days. Seedlings that are too young or too old both suffer more from cold, so ask your local agriculture office about the right age for your variety.
Where to get help
The Krishi Call Centre (16123) and your Upazila Agriculture Office give free advice. The Seed sourcing section of this site lists where to buy certified seed in Bangladesh.