Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has recommended a management practice to overcome water stagnation in the paddy fields of Cauvery Delta Zone during the heavy rains from September to November.

The farmers usually drain the water that is mixed with soil, which leads to removal of micro and macronutrients from the soil and this practice leads to deficiency of sulphur and zinc in the soil, affecting the growth of paddy crop, a TNAU release said.

Stating that this problem extended into the winter season, it said that the impact of the deficiency was seen more in organically grown paddy crop and considering this, the university had suggested a management practice to overcome this.

Inputs required for the management technology was white albumin of 10 country-bred chick eggs and one kg small onion. Peeled small onion is soaked in water the previous day evening and smashed by wooden mallet and transferred to a thin gunny bag the next morning.

Two corners of the bag have to be held tightly and squeezed to extract the juice, and then transferred to a vessel. The white albumin of the eggs is taken in a separate container. Both these are then taken to the affected field for application.

About 50 ml extract is prepared, taking both in equal ratios in a hand sprayer of 10–12 litre capacity. This mixture is then sprayed on the crop. A spray volume of 120 litres is recommended for one acre of the affected crop.

The spray can be repeated after a week’s time. The spray mixture consists of growth promoting substances and has antifungal property. If any symptoms of diseases are observed, addition of Pseudomonas at 5 ml per litre to the extract is suggested.