Gokseong County: Hot Water Disinfection of Rice Seeds Highly Effective in Preventing Pests and Diseases

Operation of "Hot Water Disinfection Facility" Until May 16
"Eliminating Infectious Diseases for High-Quality Rice Production"

Gokseong County operates the 'Seed Rice Hot Water Disinfection Facility,' which is highly effective in preventing seed-transmitted diseases such as rice blast and sheath blight, until May 16. Provided by Gokseong County

Gokseong County, Jeonnam Province (Governor Jo Sangrae) announced on the 12th that, with the start of the full-scale farming season, a "hot water seed disinfection facility" has been installed at the Agricultural Technology Center and will be in operation until May 16.

Hot water seed disinfection is considered the first step in producing high-quality rice, as it is highly effective in preventing seed-borne diseases such as bakanae, rice blast, brown spot, bacterial grain rot, false smut, and rice leaf nematode.

For hot water disinfection, first select healthy rice seeds using a winnower or saltwater sorting, and prepare thoroughly dried seeds. Then, soak the seeds in 60-degree Celsius water for 10 minutes, followed by cooling them in cold water for 20 to 30 minutes to complete the disinfection process.

To maximize the disinfection effect, it is important to divide the seeds into appropriate amounts of less than 10 kg, place them in mesh bags, and ensure smooth water circulation. During disinfection, maintaining a constant water temperature is crucial to maximize effectiveness.

For eco-friendly farms, soaking the seeds in a 1:50 diluted lime-sulfur mixture (22% solution) for 24 hours after hot water disinfection can increase the control effect against bakanae to over 99%.

Farmers who wish to use the hot water disinfection facility can contact the Gokseong County Agricultural Technology Center or the industrial teams at the seven township offices (Okgwa and Seokgok regions) for information on preparations and usage guidelines.

An official from the Gokseong Agricultural Technology Center said, "Hot water seed disinfection is an essential process for producing high-quality rice. We will actively promote it so that more farmers can utilize it and do our best to prevent diseases."