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Source- This post on New Technology to Eliminate Weeds in Rice and Wheat Fields has been created based on the article “How a new tech promises to kill weeds in rice and wheat fields, remove need for stubble-burning” published in Indian Express on 5 August 2024.
Why in News?
A new herbicide-tolerance technology promises to revolutionize rice and wheat farming in India. This technology could significantly reduce the need for water in rice cultivation and eliminate the need for burning leftover straw from wheat fields.
About herbicide-tolerance technology
1. Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) and Zero-Tillage (ZT) Wheat: The new method uses non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology. It allows for direct seeding of rice and zero-tillage planting of wheat.
2. Herbicide-Tolerant Varieties: Two new rice varieties (Pusa Basmati 1979 and 1985) and two rice hybrids (Sava 134 and 127) have been developed. These varieties are resistant to the herbicide Imazethapyr, which controls weeds without harming the crops.
The Role of Imazethapyr in this new technology
i) The key to this technology is the herbicide Imazethapyr, which controls many weeds without needing repeated ploughing or lots of water.
ii) The breakthrough is in breeding rice and wheat varieties with a mutated acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene.
iii) This mutation allows the plants to tolerate Imazethapyr, so only the weeds are killed by the herbicide.
How the Technology Works
1. Rice Cultivation
| Traditional method | New Method |
| Traditional Method of rice cultivation involves nursery raising, transplanting, and frequent flooding to control weeds. | New Method involves direct seeding of rice without the need for nurseries, puddling, or transplanting. Herbicide Imazethapyr replaces water for weed control, reducing labor and water usage. |
2. Wheat Cultivation:
| Traditional method | New Method |
| Traditional Method of wheat cultivation involves burning paddy stubble and multiple ploughings before sowing. | New Method uses zero-tillage technology, where seeds are sown directly without burning stubble or ploughing. Machines like the Super Seeder and Happy Seeder help in sowing without tillage. |
Benefits of the technology
i) It reduces the environmental footprint by saving water and preventing pollution from stubble burning.
ii) The herbicide-tolerant technology helps in making farming more climate-smart and sustainable.
iii) The technology is expected to gain wider acceptance due to its environmental benefits and non-GM nature.
iv) The new herbicide-tolerant technology for DSR and ZT wheat holds promise for more sustainable and efficient farming practices.
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