By: Dr. Asif B. Shikari (Professor, Genetics & Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Kashmir)
e-mail: [email protected]
Recent heavy rains in the month of August-September, 2025 and flash floods in Kashmir have badly affected rice-growing areas, especially in South Kashmir districts like Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag. Unfortunately, large paddy fields remained submerged during the ripening and harvesting stage, leading to pre-harvest sprouting and loss of produce. Farmers are facing severe yield reduction, difficulty in harvesting due to crop lodging and in certain cases the washing away of crop was reported. While, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of J&K has already undertaken the proactive steps to estimate the crop losses and the officials have been actively pursuing the worst case scenario by way of advisories and other input measures, the author aims to write this article in recognition of the hardships and ordeal our farming community is passing through and therefore, to forward a small input that may possibly be of some use to farmers or other stake holders who are involved in mitigation of the on-field problems.
Wherever, it was possible after the first 48 hours of flooding, the excess water from the rice fields was drained by opening outlets and repairing bunds. Few areas are still under distress and have not been able to maneuver the operations. The prolonged submergence of paddy for several days leads to grain discoloration, sprouting and higher breakage of rice during milling. In badly lodged fields, where it is not possible to lift the plants, panicles should be cut and detached from the plant using sickle, followed by bundling stalks which can be sheltered for drying in direct sun to arrest fungal growth and adverse enzymatic activity inside the grains. While, the harvested paddy is heavily contaminated with silt or sand, light washing and flotation separation may be used to remove debris, but this must only be attempted with clean water and immediate re-drying facilities, otherwise moisture-related damage will worsen. For safe short-term storage, grain moisture should be reduced to 14%, and for long-term storage and milling to 12–13%. Threshed grain should be spread in thin layers of 2–3 cm on raised platforms, turned frequently every 1–2 hours, and protected from dew at night. Mechanical drying, where available, offers more reliable results if inlet temperatures are kept moderate (35–45°C) to prevent cracking, and multi-stage drying with tempering periods of 1–12 hours allows moisture equilibration, reduces fissures, and improves head rice recovery.
Grain discoloration is a frequent outcome in flood-damaged rice, appearing as yellow, brown, black, or reddish patches on husk or kernel. It is caused by prolonged soaking, fungal infections such as Fusarium, Curvularia, Alternaria, and Aspergillus, sprouting-related enzymatic activity, oxidation of phenolic compounds, and silt deposition. Discolored kernels are structurally weak, break easily during milling and fetch lower prices in the market. In seed lots, such grains show poor germination and vigor and in severe cases fungal growth may lead to mycotoxin contamination. After drying, the grain should be sorted and graded to maintain quality. Immature, sprouted, and discolored kernels must be removed as they lower market value and interfere with milling. Where discoloration and soaking are severe, parboiling can serve as a salvage method, since controlled soaking, steaming, and drying strengthen kernels, improve milling recovery, reduce discoloration and limit insect or fungal problems. However, parboiling requires skilled handling and proper drying facilities, it may not be feasible to recommend under such unprecedented situations in Kashmir valley.
When rice is intended for seed reuse for next crop season, fungicide treatment can help suppress seed-borne fungi and protect viability. Treated seed must never be used for food or feed. Recommended fungicides include Carbendazim at 2 g/kg of seed, Thiram at 2.5 g/kg, Carbendazim + Mancozeb at 2–3 g/kg, or Captan at 2–3 g/kg, all of which provide protection against major fungi. Treatment may be done as dry dressing, mixing thoroughly in a drum, or as slurry coating followed by shade drying. As a biological alternative, Trichoderma harzianum at 10 g/kg seed may be used. Only clean, dry seed (≤12% moisture) should be treated, and afterwards stored in cool, dry, ventilated containers to maintain germination and prevent further infection.
Where the partially affected rice is used for consumption, it is advisable to blend it with market fetched fresh rice in certain proportion before cooking. This will avoid the bad taste and appeal of the cooked rice. However, discolored rice affected by mold or toxin should be out-rightly discarded. Stored rice after milling may be intermittently exposed to sun shower during coming winters.
Safe storage of flood-affected rice demands that only thoroughly dried grain be stored, since even small moisture pockets can trigger hotspots, mold, and spoilage. Storage structures should be cleaned and disinfected in advance, preferably by sun or heat. Aeration is necessary to keep temperature and moisture uniform, especially in Jammu and Kashmir where high humidity and cold nights can cause condensation. Proper ventilation and prevention of moisture ingress are crucial, and if insects are a threat, regular monitoring and fumigation or controlled-atmosphere treatment should be carried out under expert guidance.
Finally, milling of flood-affected rice requires adjustments, as such grain is prone to higher breakage and reduced head rice recovery due to fissures formed during soaking. To minimize breakage, mill settings should be modified by widening roller gaps and lowering polishing intensity. Processing in batches and separating damaged lots from normal ones helps maximize recovery and ensures better quality in the final product.
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