Rice cultivation through Direct Seeding (DSR) method offers a notable reduction in water consumption compared to conventional flooding techniques. This approach presents a viable solution, particularly in regions facing water scarcity, by curtailing approximately 33 percent of the total water demand.
PUSA has introduced two strains of rice, namely PUSA Basmati 1979 and Basmati 1985, engineered to withstand imazethapyr 10 percent sl for DSR farming, in accordance with the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
Addressing significant concerns within rice farming in North Western India, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Director of IARI, New Delhi, emphasized the potential of DSR in tackling issues such as declining groundwater levels, labor shortages for rice transplantation, and methane emissions under flooded conditions. The method’s efficacy in reducing water usage is attributed to its discontinuation of continuous flooding, precise water application, minimal percolation losses, and reduced evaporation.
DSR holds promise in conserving up to 33 percent of water requirements, presenting an eco-friendly alternative, especially in water-stressed regions. Nonetheless, weed management poses a considerable challenge in DSR, necessitating strategic interventions to ensure its success.
Efforts to address weed-related challenges have led to the development of two herbicide-tolerant Basmati rice varieties, RobiNOweed Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985, through collaborative research at ICAR-IARI, Delhi. These varieties, being the first Non-GM herbicide-tolerant Basmati rice strains to Imazethapyr 10 percent sl, are poised for commercial cultivation in India, as per official sources.
Dr. Singh elaborated extensively on the tailored cultivation practices for these two rice varieties under the DSR approach, emphasizing the importance of adopting necessary precautions for effective weed management. With their tolerance to the broad-spectrum herbicide Imazethapyr 10 percent sl, these strains are anticipated to revolutionize weed control in DSR, thereby optimizing Basmati rice cultivation costs.
These varieties not only alleviate the labor-intensive nature of weeding but also mitigate the environmental impact associated with conventional rice cultivation methods, underscoring their potential contribution to sustainable agricultural practices and the overall agricultural ecosystem’s well-being.
Highlighting the significance of these advancements, Dr. P.K. Singh, Commissioner of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, emphasized the water-saving benefits of DSR, leading to enhanced yield and improved climate resilience.
It is noteworthy that IARI Basmati rice variants command a remarkable 95 percent share in the country’s total Basmati rice exports, amounting to an impressive 51,000 crores, according to IARI sources.
