Relationships among socioeconomic factors, rice planting method and pesticide use

Abstract

In Jiangsu province of China, many farmers have changed their planting method from puddled transplanted rice (PTR) to direct seeded rice (DSR), which was not suggested by the local government. Compared with PTR, DSR increases the use of weedicide. Farmer’s characteristics and planting methods play a crucial role in pesticide use for rice production, but little is known on the inter-relationships among these variables and their impact on weedicide, germicide, and insecticide use. This study examined socioeconomic characteristics, the planting method, and use of the three kinds of pesticides among rice farmers. The research population consisted of 117 households randomly in the study area. We found that the land size and household’s farming days had significant relationships with rice planting method and pesticide use. Farmers with more farmlands or farming days were prefer to choose DSR. Changing from PTR to DSR increased weedicide use (P = 0.006) and decreased germicide use (P = 0.007). Meanwhile, the total input of pesticide would be decreased if more farmers were using DSR (P = 0.022). If farmers could apply the new knowledge of DSR correctly, changing from PTR to DSR showed significance on the decrease in pesticide use.