Direct-Seeded Rice:
The state of Punjab was unable to achieve its target in the water-saving method (direct-seeded rice).
- Direct Seeded Rice(DSR), also known as the ‘broadcasting seed technique,’ is a water-saving method of sowing paddy.
- In this method, seeds are directly drilled into the fields.
- In contrast to the traditional water-intensive method of transplanting rice seedlings from a nursery to waterlogged fields, this method saves groundwater.
- There is no nursery preparation or transplantation involved in this method.
- Farmers have to only level their land and give one pre-sowing irrigation.
Advantages of DSR:
- DSR can solve labour shortage problems because like the traditional method it does not require a paddy nursery and transplantation of 30 days old paddy nursery into the main puddled field.
- It offers avenues for ground water recharge as it prevents the development of hard crust just beneath the plough layer due to puddled transplanting.
- It matures 7-10 days earlier than the puddle transplanted crop, therefore giving more time for management of paddy straw.
Increase in Yield: - According to the results from research trials and farmers’ field survey, after this technique the yield is one to two quintals per acre higher than puddled transplanted rice
