Deep sowing of dry direct-seeded rice: cultivar differences in seedling establishment and grain yield

In Asia, rapid economic growth has also caused a shift of labor from agriculture to other industries, and the increase in farm labor demand has increased the labor cost for rice cultivation. To address these water and labor shortages, dry direct seeding of rice (DDSR) is increasingly being used across Asia.  The objective of this study was to examine the effects of different sowing depths on crop growth, phenology, and grain yield of DDSR.

Conventional rice (Oryza sativa L.) farming with transplanting in puddled fields requires large amounts of water and labor. The total seasonal water input to rice fields is typically 1300 to 1500 mm, which is two to three times the amount required by other cereals.

However, water for rice cultivation is becoming increasingly scarce owing to the lowering of groundwater levels and declining river flows in many parts of Asia. Climate change is also leading to more extreme precipitation patterns, leading to an uncertain water supply.

In Asia, rapid economic growth has also caused a shift of labor from agriculture to other industries, and the increase in farm labor demand has increased the labor cost for rice cultivation.

To address these water and labor shortages, dry direct seeding of rice (DDSR) is increasingly being used across Asia. In the conventional transplanting method, young seedlings are transplanted into puddled and submerged soil.