Deep Sowing of Dry Direct-seeded Rice: Cultivar Differences in Seedling Establishment and Grain Yield

May 30, 2023

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.

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Video: A chain harrow is a game changer

Utilizing a rotational grazing method on our farmstead with our sheep helps to let the pasture/paddocks rest. We also just invested in a chain harrow to allow us to drag the paddocks our sheep just left to break up and spread their manure around, dethatch thicker grass areas, and to rough up bare dirt areas to all for a better seed to soil contact if we overseed that paddock. This was our first time really using the chain harrow besides initially testing it out. We are very impressed with the work it did and how and area that was majority dirt, could be roughed up before reseeding.

Did you know we also operate a small business on the homestead. We make homemade, handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, hair and beard products in addition to offering our pasture raised pork, lamb, and 100% raw honey. You can find out more about our products and ingredients by visiting our website at www.mimiandpoppysplace.com. There you can shop our products and sign up for our monthly newsletter that highlights a soap or ingredient, gives monthly updates about the homestead, and also lists the markets, festivals, and events we’ll be attending that month.