Direct seeding of rice/Direct seeded rice
About :
- Direct seeding is a crop establishment system wherein rice seeds are sown directly into the field, as opposed to the traditional method of growing seedlings in a nursery, then transplanting into flooded fields.
- Direct seeded rice is seen to be one of the most efficient, sustainable, and economically-viable rice production systems used today.
- Compared to the conventional puddled transplanted rice (PTR) method prevalent in Asia, DSR delivers faster planting and maturing, conserves scarce resources like water and labor, is more conducive to mechanization, and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
- Mechanized DSR also creates avenues for employment through new service provisions and is less labor intensive and free from drudgery, hence more attractive to youth and women farmers.
Advantages of direct seeding :
- No significant reduction of yield under optimal conditions
- Savings on irrigation water by 12-35% under efficient water management practices
- Reduces labor and drudgery by eliminating seedling uprooting and transplanting
- Reduces cultivation time, energy, and cost
- No plant stress from transplanting
- Faster maturation of crops
- Lower GHG emissions
- Mechanized DSR provides employment opportunities for youth through service provision business model
- Increases total income by reducing cost of cultivation
Current constraints :
- Higher seed rates
- Seeds exposed to birds and pests
- Weed management
- Higher risk of lodging
- Risk of poor or non-uniform crop establishment
Syllabus : Prelims
