DSR technique of sowing paddy

Rice was seeded directly in about one-fifth of total area under rice in Punjab in 2020.

DSR saves about 15-20% irrigation water and offers about 10-15% higher ground water recharge than puddled transplanted rice (PTR).

Wheat grain yield, after DSR, is 100 kg per acre higher than after PTR.

A novel method of direct seeding called ‘tar-wattar DSR’ was recommended and successfully adopted at a large scale in 2020 in Punjab.

• In ‘tar-wattar DSR’, a major departure from the earlier practice is delayed first irrigation which is applied at about 21 days after sowing which has many added advantages:
• More saving in irrigation water as evaporation loss is minimal from a drier surface.
• Lesser weed emergence.
• Reduced incidence of nutrient deficiency especially iron owing to deeper root development and lesser leaching of nutrients.
• Wider adaptability
• Rice yields are comparable with puddled transplanted rice (PTR). If in any case, yield is a bit lower, the profits are no lesser than PTR.