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Developments in Direct Seeding of Rainfed Rice in the High BARInd Tract

M. A. Mazid
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Rangpur, Bangladesh

B. Khamarker
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Regional Station, Rangpur, Bangladesh

A. M. Mortimer
School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK

C. R. Riches
Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, UK

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

A key development challenge in the drought-prone rainfed agriculture of the Barind Tract of northwest Bangladesh is to simultaneously improve the reliability and yield of monsoon rice while improving total system productivity by increasing the area planted to drought-tolerant postrice crops. Research trials and fieldscale evaluations by farmers have demonstrated that dry direct seeding or wet seeding of pregerminated seed reduces labor for crop establishment and results in rice yields similar to or higher than those of conventional transplanting and advances harvest by a week to 10 days. An earlier harvest has the potential to reduce the risk of terminal drought in rice when the monsoon ends abruptly and increases the opportunity for establishing a postrice crop of chickpea on residual moisture. Herbicide use is essential with direct seeding and this further reduces rice production costs. This modified rice/legume system, using direct seeding, is knowledge-intensive. Widespread sustained adoption will depend on farmers undertaking timely tillage, adequate land leveling, and timely application of herbicides.

Keywords: Reliable rainfed, Productive rainfed, Cropping system, High Barind Tract

Location: The Barind Tract of northwest Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2001

End Date: 00-00-2004

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Rice, Soil Physical Properties, Seedling

Objectives:

To develop a reliable and productive rainfed cropping system for the High Barind Tract.

Methodology:

The yields of two rice cultivars when either direct-seeded or transplanted were evaluated in the Barind in a long-term trial established in 2001. Cultivar BRRI dhan 39 (maturity of 120–125 days) was compared with the widely grown Swarna (maturity of 150–155 days). The experiment used a split-split-plot design with three main plots as crop establishment and associated weed management, four subplots as nutrient management, and two sub-sub plots as cultivars. Establishment treatments were (1) transplanted rice (TPR)—soil puddled prior to transplanting and plots hand-weeded twice at 30 and 45 days after transplanting (DAT); (2) direct-seeded rice (DSR)—soil plowed prior to dry seeding (2001 and 2004) or plowed and puddled before sowing pregerminated seed (2002 and 2003) in rows by hand, with hand weeding at 21, 33, and 45 days after sowing (DAS); (3) direct-seeded rice with chemical weed control (DSRH)—as with DSR but with oxadiazon (375 g a.i. ha^–1) applied 2–4 days after seeding, with one hand weeding at 33 DAS. Nutrient regimes (kg ha^–1) were (1) single superphosphate, 40 P + 40 K; (2) compound 60 N + 40 P + 40 K; (3) farmyard manure (FYM) + inorganic fertilizer totaling 60 N + 50 P + 50 K; and (4) diammonium phosphate (DAP) (18% N) + controlled-release urea (CR-N 45% N) totaling 43 N + 40 P + 40 K. Chickpea (cv. Bari chola 2) was broadcast onto residual soil moisture after harvest of direct-seeded rice and covered with soil by cross plowing with an ox-drawn country plow. Rice yield was assessed from one 5-m² area of each plot. Total weed biomass was recorded in two unweeded quadrats per plot at harvest. Trials were undertaken in 16 farmers’ fields during the 2003 monsoon season to verify the productivity of a DSR rice-chickpea system. Chickpea (cv. Bari chola 2) was sown after harvest of Swarna or three shorter duration BRRI dhan cultivars (maturity 140–145 days) established by either transplanting or direct seeding. Prior to dry direct seeding in June, the land was plowed (at least 3 times) with an animal-drawn country plow and leveled with a ladder. Seed was sown in lines by hand into furrows opened by a hand-pulled lithao. Evaluations of three practical methods of direct seeding were undertaken on a field scale in three districts of the High Barind Tract during aman 2004. Dry seed of Swarna and BRRI dhan 31 (duration of 140–145 days) was sown into shallow furrows made by a manually drawn lithao in several fields managed by a group of farmers who had previously seen the technique used in research trials. The lithao opens three rows at a time into which seed is sown by hand. Fields were leveled with an ox-drawn ladder to cover the seed after sowing. Weed control was by oxadiazon applied after seeding with a single follow-up hand weeding when necessary. Village extension officers, supported by an NGO, collaborated with researchers to evaluate broadcast sowing of dry seed onto moist soil or drum seeding of pregerminated seed onto puddled soil, each on 13 farms. Plot size was 666 m². Weed control was also by a preemergence application of oxadiazon and hand weeding. Direct-seeded plots were compared with transplanted rice established from seedlings raised in seedbeds sown the same day as fields were direct-seeded. Weed control in transplanted rice involved the preemergence application of pretilachlor (450 g a.i. ha^–1) after transplanting, followed by hand weeding.

Source of Information: A Report of Improving Agricultural Productivity in Rice-Based Systems of the High Barind Tract of Bangladesh, IRRI, 2008

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Experience in 2004 and 2005 underlines how farmers need access to different crop establishment options given the variable rainfall pattern in the Barind. Direct seeding has potential on well-drained fields but its use and that of herbicides is knowledge-intensive. Extension/farmer training supported by clear decision support frameworks will enhance the promotion of crop establishment and weed control options in the future. These need to integrate knowledge on rice performance with each option according to land type, rainfall pattern, cultivar maturity, weed spectrum, and farmer resources. When there is a gradual onset of the monsoon allowing land preparation during late May to mid-June, rice can be dry seeded using a lithao. Once land becomes inundated, it can be puddled and leveled. Provided fields can be drained, rice can be established effectively with a drum seeder. However, for successful crop establishment by either direct-seeding practice, good tillage and land leveling to achieve weed-free seedbeds and timely herbicide application are essential.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings