Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

05.06.2024

Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

 Why in the news?   

Recently, ICAR has commercialized herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties that can control weeds.

About Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):

• It is a modern rice cultivation technique where rice seeds are directly sown into the field, replacing the traditional method of transplanting seedlings from a nursery.
• It is an efficient, and sustainable method of rice cultivation that offers significant benefits for farmers, the environment, and the economy.
• About Herbicide-Tolerant Basmati Rice: ICAR commercialized non-genetically modified (non-GM) Ht basmati rice.  These varieties allow direct application of the herbicide Imazethapyr due to a mutated ALS gene.
• Scientific debate: Research indicates that hand weeding at specific intervals (20 and 40 days after sowing) in DSR is more effective and yield-enhancing than the use of Imazethapyr.
• ICAR’s research favours eco-friendly hand weeding over repeated herbicide applications for weed control and higher seed yield.
• Weed diversity and risks: Imazethapyr targets specific broadleaf weeds (BLW), not all weed types.
• Herbicide-resistant weeds may evolve, threatening rice production and food security.
• Similar challenges were seen with Bt-Cotton and pink bollworm resistance.
• Historical context: In the North Western Plains (e.g., Punjab, Haryana), DSR has been long used for growing Basmati rice.
• The Green Revolution promoted water-intensive transplanted rice, causing ecological issues.
• Innovations in DSR: From 2014 to 2017, innovations in DSR at IARI Karnal led to the adoption of TAR-VATTAR technology, which uses climatic factors and effective herbicides like Pendimethalin to reduce costs and save water.
• Recent adoption and impact: During COVID-19, the labour shortage saw a spike in DSR adoption in Punjab, proving its viability.
• The Haryana government conserved water (e.g., 31,500 crore liters saved in 2022) by adopting DSR on a large scale.

                                                                        Source: Down to earth

Ques :- Consider the following statements with reference to the Direct Seeded Rice (DSR):

Statement-I

It is a modern rice cultivation technique where rice seeds are directly sown into the field.

Statement-II

It is an efficient and sustainable method of rice cultivation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer A