Dry direct seeded rice
In dry direct-seeded rice (D-DSR), dry seeds are sown directly in
the main field. Dry direct seeding is commonly practiced in rainfed uplands,
medium low land, lowland and deepwater ecologies during the wet season. In
D-DSR, land preparation is done by ploughing the soil twice by rotavator/ cultivator,
followed by crop establishment using several methods, including (i)
broadcasting of dry seeds on un-puddled soil after either zero tillage (ZT) or
conventional tillage (CT) (ii) dibbled method in a well-prepared field and
(iii) drilling of seeds in rows after CT, minimum tillage (MT) using a power
tiller-tractor operated seeder, ZT or raised beds. In the case of both CT and
ZT, a seed-cum-fertilizer drill is used, which, after land preparation or in ZT
conditions, places the fertilizer and drills the seeds. In this method of
establishment weed is a major menace, which can be controlled by using
post-emergent herbicide. The D-DSR saves water (up to 30%) over conventional
transplanted rice. This method also helps in curbing CH4 emissions
ranging from 18-20% compared to conventional puddled transplanted rice. Additionally,
this method reduces labour requirement, improves the emergence of seedlings,
and reduces the chance of lodging.