Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cropping system

Source – This post on Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cropping system has been created based on the article “ICAR’s herbicide-tolerant rice is not farmer-friendly and is a threat to national food security” published in “Down to Earth” on 4 June 2024.

Why in News?

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has commercialized herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties, which they claim can control weeds in rice crops and support the water-saving technique of direct seeded rice (DSR).

About Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) cropping system

1. About: DSR is a modern rice cultivation method where seeds are directly sown into the field, bypassing the traditional transplanting of seedlings from a nursery.

2. This method is recognized for its efficiency and sustainability, benefiting farmers, the environment, and the economy.

3. Previous Context and Innovations in DSR

i)  Historically, the Northwestern Plains, including Punjab and Haryana have used DSR for growing Basmati rice.

ii)  The Green Revolution favored water-intensive transplanted rice leading to ecological challenges.

iii)  Innovations from 2014 to 2017 at IARI Karnal, such as TAR-VATTAR technology utilized climatic factors and effective herbicides like Pendimethalin to cut costs and conserve water.

4.  Development of Herbicide-Tolerant Basmati Rice

i) The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has commercialized non-genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (Ht) basmati rice varieties.

ii) These varieties are engineered with a mutated ALS gene that allows for the direct application of the herbicide Imazethapyr.

5. Scientific Research and Debates

i) Studies suggest that manual weeding at intervals (20 and 40 days after sowing) in DSR fields leads to better yields than using Imazethapyr.

ii) ICAR supports eco-friendly practices like hand weeding over repeated herbicide use to control weeds and improve seed yield.

6. Challenges with Herbicide Use

i) Imazethapyr specifically targets broadleaf weeds but does not affect all weed types.

ii) The evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds poses a potential threat to rice production and food security.

UPSC Syllabus: Environment