Direct-seeded Rice: Potential Benefits, Constraints and Prospective

Abstract

Direct seeded rice (DSR) production has become a competitive substitute for traditional transplanting methods, offering several benefits such as decreased greenhouse gas emissions, labor and water savings, and improved resource efficiency. An extensive summary of the current status of DSR cultivation is given in this abstract, focusing on its agronomic, economic, and environmental aspects. This study covers the main concepts and techniques of DSR cultivation, including weed control, seed selection, land preparation, sowing techniques, and nutrient application. It examines current scientific findings and technological developments aimed at enhancing DSR systems, such as the development of high-yielding, stress-tolerant rice cultivars that can be seeded directly, with precision tools, and with integrated weed management practices. The environmental impacts of DSR cultivation are explored, highlighting its contributions to water conservation, soil health improvement, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. These benefits are examined alongside the agronomic and financial advantages, providing a holistic view of DSR's potential. However, the review also identifies several challenges and barriers to the widespread adoption of DSR, including technological constraints, gaps in farmer knowledge and expertise, and socioeconomic issues. Addressing these challenges requires significant research, extension services, policy support, and farmer capacity-building programs. The valuable insights into the potential of direct seeded rice cultivation as a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly method of rice production. The implications for food security, resource conservation, and rural livelihoods are profound, suggesting that DSR could play crucial role in future agricultural practices.