“ DSR A TECHNOLOGY FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION”
It is a resource-saving technology that saves a lot of money. Water, labour, and time are all saved. The plant population is also managed using this approach. In addition to saving 15- 20% in irrigation water and labour, this technique provides farmers to achieve the necessary plant population of 80,000 plants per acre. As a result, rice yields increase by 20 to 25 per cent for farmers.
Preparing the soil
- Direct rice seeding works well in clay loam soil.
- The soil should be levelled exactly.
- In the third week of May, there will be two dry ploughings, planking, and water flooding.
- One ploughing and planking for weed germination at wattar soil condition (Dab method).
- Rauni needs soil preparation and seed broadcasting/drilling. (From the fourth week of May to the last week of June).
Varieties recommended for DSR
Basmati (super basmati, basmati 515, basmati 2000, basmati 385 and Shaheen basmati).
Coarse (KS 282, KSK 133, IR 6 and NAIB IR 9).
Seed rate per acre
- Basmati (12 kg per acre).
- Coarse (15 kg per acre)
Seed soaking & seed treatment
Soaking for 24 hours in fungicide-mixed water @ 2 to 2.5 g/kg seed. Then dry the seed for 2 to 3 hours for easy broadcasting.
Time of sowing
- Basmati varieties (1st June to 25th June)
- Coarse varieties (20 May to 7 June)
Sowing method
Broadcast: Broadcasting of soaked seed and planking along with light ploughing to cover the seed with soil.
Drill sowing: Sow the seed by using a seed drill. The seeding depth should be 1-1.5 inches.
Irrigation
Apply irrigation at 5-7 DAS. Keep the field in saturated condition till 35-40 DAS and then apply irrigation at wattar condition till crop maturity. Stop irrigation 15 days before harvesting.
Weed management
Weeds pose a serious threat to DSR during the growing season, as they compete for nutrients, light, space, and moisture. Culturing may control weeds by burying un-germinated weed seeds to a depth that prevents germination, but it may also allow other seeds to sprout once deeply buried. The Dab method should be practised before sowing. In the case of broadleaf and sedges weeds spray of “ethoxysulfuron/phenoxulum” (Sunstar gold ryzelom) is recommended for weed control at 15-22 DAS. Bispyribac sodium (clover/nominee) is recommended for weed control at 18-22 DAS. If weeds persist, repeat the clover/nominee spray at 35-40 DAS. A spray of herbicide should be done at wattar soil condition by using a t-jet nozzle. Apply irrigation 24-36 hours after the herbicide spray.
Fertilizer
Basmati varieties: Urea 2 bags, DAP 1.5 bag and potash 1 bag ZnSO4 (5kg, 33%) and boron @3kg (Borax powder at the time of sowing.
Coarse varieties: Urea 2.5 bags, DAP 2 bags and potash 1 bag ZnSO4 (5kg, 33%) and boron @3kg (Borax powder at the time of sowing.
Note: Urea should be applied in two splits in coarse and three splits in basmati varieties.
Insects and disease control
To control different pest insects like stem borer leaf folder and planthopper apply insecticide at their respective ETL (2 folded leaves/plant, 5% dead hearts and 20-25 nymph/ adults/plant, respectively). For disease control keeps vigilant during the months (mid-August to mid-October) and apply the suitable fungicide/ bactericide after consultation with a rice crop expert.
Harvesting
Harvest the mature crop at 20-22% moisture level or when 2-3 green grains at the lower side of the panicle and other grains are fully matured.
Ansar Mehmood1, Sumair Zahid2, Iqra Zafar Khan3, Muhammad Muneeb ur Rehman4, Bilal Ashraf5 and Farzam Azhar6
Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
