Different problems like lowering water table, scarcity of labour during peak periods, deteriorating soil health demands some alternative establishment method to sustain productivity of rice as well as natural resources. Direct seeded rice (DSR), probably the oldest method of crop establishment, is gaining popularity because of its low-input demand. It offers certain advantages viz., it saves labour, requires less water, less drudgery, early crop maturity, low production cost, better soil physical conditions for following crops and less methane emission, provides better option to be the best fit in different cropping systems. Comparative yields in DSR can be obtained by adopting various cultural practices viz., selection of suitable cultivars, proper sowing time, optimum seed rate, proper weed and water management. It can also be stated that soil problems related to rice and following crops can be solved with direct seeding.

Problem mainly from weed - Weed infestation in upland direct sown rice is one of the most serious problems that may pose threat to the upland rice cultivation. Weed infestation increased with increasing the dose of FYM application and the highest weed infestation (both weed density and weed dry weight) was noticed in crop with 100% RDN through FYM among all other treatments. Integrated nutrient management (INM) with 75% RDN through VC + 25% RDF and 75% RDN through FYM + 25% RDF produced the highest grain and straw yields and paid maximum gross and net returns from rainfed upland rice among all other treatments though the crop with 75% RDN through FYM + 25% RDF faced greater weed infestation than other treatments except 100% RDN through FYM. The results indicate INM with 75% RDN through VC + 25% RDF or 75% RDN through well decomposed FYM (in which viability of weed seeds lost during decomposition) + 25% RDF for reducing weed infestation and increasing productivity of rainfed upland rice. Key

Constrains - Availability of high yielding, multiple disease and pest resistant and varieties with weed suppressing ability is less in field level.

Researchable issues -

1. Variety with very faster early growth with weed suppressing ability/ method & technique to boost faster early vegetative growth.

2. Variety having long root system, less water consumption.

3. It has been seen that some farmers have shown seeds in lines using local dibbling method (they use a wooden stick with sharp head to dig a pit standing) followed by seed sowing in pits by hand, followed by covering with foot while move forward - this efficient technology should be studied for labour, water and cost reduction, its help intercultural operation and within a month takes the shape of transplanted crop.

4. Study of method of transplanting in moist soil instead of direct sowing in high rainfall area (give better yield)

5. Resource conservation - use of panicle harvesting method to reduce cost of transportation, reduce erosion as well as conserve and recycle nutrients by addition of longer remaining parts of the stalk after harvest.

6. Development of slender grain, aromatic short duration more remunerative variety.

7. Development of bio-mulch roll - like plastic mulch bio mulch may be prepared for easy operation.

Direct seeded rice is mainly practiced in hilly / less rainfall area ---- above points can help increasing productivity and income of the growers.

I think weed control would be a major issue in direct seeded rice due to dense plant population@ Melekote Nagabhushan Arun. So one can think about how to maintain the plant population and how to control weeds in an easy way.

https://www.agriculturejournal.org/volume5number1/direct-seeded-rice-prospects-problemsconstraints-and-researchable-issues-in-india/

Article Direct Seeded Rice: Prospects, Problems/Constraints and Rese...

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Direct-Seeded-Rice%3A-Prospects%2C-Problems%2FConstraints-Kaur-Singh/bea92d044682a7bc391f360586c2aeba2b0c8752

http://www.krishisanskriti.org/vol_image/13Jun2016110616zSumedh%20R%20Kashiwar%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20energy%20%20%20%20%20%20%20141-145.pdf

https://www.agriculturejournal.org/volume5number1/direct-seeded-rice-prospects-problemsconstraints-and-researchable-issues-in-india/

Article Direct Seeded Rice: Prospects, Problems/Constraints and Rese...

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Direct-Seeded-Rice%3A-Prospects%2C-Problems%2FConstraints-Kaur-Singh/bea92d044682a7bc391f360586c2aeba2b0c8752

Melekote Nagabhushan Arun

http://www.agriculturejournal.org/volume5number1/direct-seeded-rice-prospects-problemsconstraints-and-researchable-issues-in-india/

Dear Melekote Nagabhushan Arun The success of DSR will ultimately depend upon the extent of yield penalty, and B-C ratio compared to PTR. The yield penalty, if any, can be dealt with by adopting a change in establishment technique (DSR) while making generation advancement of breeding materials, and assessment of entries in experimental (station) trials, IET and AET.

Thanks!