We even caught traditionally practiced in paddy planting method requires more water, high-wage labor and field transplanting necessary for processing purposes, such as high-power direct paddy cultivation in recent years, most farmers prefer to let. And the planting of paddy fields to keep the stored water in the soil due to the construction of more impervious layer by puddling not only degrade the overall way for forming the top and under soil stiffening. This greatly reduces the yield of crops to be grown after paddy. So the method of direct sowing of paddy, rice cultivation is an excellent alternative..

The situation is now beginning to spread in the state of agriculture in the monsoon season, farmers has chosen direct seeded rice cultivation in rain fed areas. Since, the majority of farmers in the cultivation of rice taken up during puratasi month with tractor engine, wooden plough been working with the seeding. For sowing, the cattle, and often rely on manual labor. Due to lack of livestock and laborers caused delayed cultivation makes the rice more drought tolerant one and the yield is more likely to be reduced. This method of rice cultivation not only requires higher seed rate and also as a result of improper spacing, which enables the implementation of the cultural practices not in an easy way. Further, higher planting density resulted increased competition among plants for water, fertilizer and sunlight and possibly lead to yield losses.

Dryland Agricultural Research station to address the above issues in Chettinad involved in research activities about rice cultivation with direct seeder and the various demonstrations are implemented. With this machine at lower cost and with less man power sowing can be completed within 45 minutes. It can save Rs.500 / acre. With this seeder, we can save about 40 bags of seeds. When using seed drill uniform plant spacing (25 x10 cm) can be maintained and this not only to reduce competition in the crop, slow release of nutrients and to facilitate a higher yield. From this time on the field and less methane output, low labor requirement and crops ready for harvest in 10 to 15 days before planting the seed, gives high yield.

Direct Seeding of Rice: A comparison

Paddy planting system: A comparison

In Direct seeded rice the major challenge is the number of weeds types and vary with time, weed seeds, rice seeds together at the same time grows, weeds are fiercely compete with plants for fertilizer nutrients, moisture, sunlight, and for space will cause 30-55 per cent yield reduction in direct seeded rice and it was 50-80 per cent under rainfed upland rice cultivation. And not only yield reduction it will also cause loss in grain quality. Unlike conventional planting, direct sowing of paddy without land preparation post high weed infestation. In direct seeded rice maintain weed free 15-45 days after sowing is very important for higher yield.

In direct seeded rice 3 to 8 days after sowing Pritalachlor 175 g or Pendimethalin 400 g mixed with 25 kg of sand and apply to the field with enough moisture. It could control broad leaved and grassy weeds. Further in direct seeded rice possibility of tip of seed in contact with herbicide will cause damage to the seeds. Hence, safener can be mixed with herbicides yielded better results. After 25th day after planting broad leaved weeds can be controlled with the spraying of 2,4-D sodium salt in 200 litres of water. After crop grown at 25-30 days after sowing Phenoxy propy ethyl @ 20 grams can be sprayed to control grass weeds. Crops at 15-20 days after planting Chlorimuron + Metsulfuron methyl (Almix) 15 grams or Bispyrimac sodium 10 grams or cyclo poppy butyl 50 grams or Azimsulfuron 15 grams of any one herbicide in 200 liters of water and uniformly spray with hand sprayer to control broad leaved weeds, sedges and grasses.

Increasing laborer demand and to reduce input cost, direct seeded rice area may be increased in coming years. If above techniques are precisely adopted during Puratasi season means there is no doubt for getting higher yield.

Source :

Professor and Head,
Dryland Agriculture Research Station,
TNAU,
Phone: 04565 – 283080