Direct Seeding Research Articles

Design and Analysis of Film-Covering Direct Seeding Machine in Paddy Field

To realize the mechanization of film-covering direct seeding in paddy field, this paper analyzes the agronomic requirements of film-covering direct seeding of rice and the characteristics of paddy field operating conditions, and designs the overall structure of film-covering direct seeding machine by referring to the mechanical properties of degradable plastic film and paddy field working conditions. This machine adopts suspension structure and is powered by the handpiece of high speed rice transplanter. In the process of design, the resistance should be reduced as far as possible on the premise of film laying, so that the structure can be light and simplified to ensure the excellent trafficability of machines and tools in the paddy field. The power parameters and other main parameters of the direct seeding machine are determined. The stress of the designed machine during working is analyzed, which provides reference and basis for the subsequent research on the direct seeding mulch applicator in paddy field.

Effects of Direct Sowing under Mulch-Based Cropping System (DMC) on Cotton and Maize Yield and Chemical Characteristics of Ferruginous Soil (Lixisoil) in the South Sudan Area of Burkina Faso

To better understand the effects of direct sowing under mulch-based cropping system (DMC) in Burkina Faso’s cotton production systems, randomized blocks of Fisher experimental design were implemented at Farako-Ba research station from 2010 to 2019. The study was conducted on lixisoil to evaluate DMC effects on biomass production, crops yields and soil chemical properties in a maize and cotton rotation system associated with cover crop. Conventional tillage and direct seeding without cover crop were compared to DMC under B. ruziziensis (GERM. & EVRARD), DMC under B. ruziziensis + M. cochinchinensis mulch and DMC under C. juncea (L.) mulch used in association with maize. Biomass production, crop yields and soil chemistry were evaluated. Results showed that over 10 years, no-till with or without a cover crop provided cotton seed and maize yields that were statistically equivalent to the tillage commonly practiced by farmers. Cover crop has allowed increasing the biomass production compared to Conventional Tillage and Direct Seeding. Maize yield has not varied significantly with the cover crop. After 10 years of maize and cotton rotation, the improvement raised from +27% to +38% for organic matter and from +15% to +29% for nitrogen with DMC including legumes such as M. cochinchinensis and C. juncea compared to Conventional Tillage on 0 - 5 cm depth. No significant differences were found on soil pH like P2O5 and K2O content. Although DMC with C. juncea used as cover crop did not provide the best biomass production, it contributes to increase nitrogen and organic matter and presents better mineral balances in 10 years of rotation. The 5 - 10 cm and 10 - 20 cm were little influenced by DMC systems.

Direct Seeding of Basmati Rice through Improved Drills: Potential and Constraints in Pakistani Farm Settings

Abstract.In Pakistan, rice is an important cash crop and is cultivated over 2.75 mha, generally as traditionally transplanted rice (TTPR). High labor costs and water requirements, time intensiveness, low plant populations, and increased methane emissions are problems associated with TTPR. Alternatively, direct seeded rice (DSR) is now being adopted by rice growers for saving of labor cost (1-2 compared to 50-60 person-days/ha for TTPR), for time and water saving (10% to 30%), and most importantly for achieving the optimal plant population. Technical issues in machine design, and direct seeding, lack of farmers’ awareness about the technology, and social issues are the major hurdles in wide scale adoption of this effective intervention. To identify and address these issues, a testing and calibration activity was conducted during 2017 in the eight major basmati rice producing districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Twenty-one DSR drills (model 2017) being used in the field were tested to determine efficiency and farmers’ perceptions of the technology were noted. Plant germination percentage and vegetation vigor were also measured. The drawbacks in design, manufacturing, and assembling were identified in the DSR drills and modifications were made in the new model to improve efficiency. Fifty-three randomly selected modified DSR drills (model 2018) were calibrated in 2018 before the start of the rice-sowing season. In 2017 the study showed large variability in the row-to-row distance, seed rate and distances of individual drills, and resulting seed germination ranged from 20% to 90% sown at different sites. In 2018, the standard deviation (SD) of seed rate was improved from SD = 19.7 to 6.6 g/40 rev/tine while SD of row-to-row distance was reduced from 0.81 to 0.61 cm as compared to 2017 drill. The plant vigor measured in terms of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed a good relationship with the plant population (R2 = 0.66) except at a few locations where weeds dominated. Important social issues identified were farmer’s lack of interest in preparing the land, precision land leveling, seed treatment, timely inputs, and farmer’s traditional thinking. However, farmers were motivated to consider adopting the DSR technology by demonstration plots established in 2017 by the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture & Biology (NIAB) and the Rice Research Institute (RRI), Kala Shah Kaku. Increased DSR machine sales in 2018 indicate the technology is being more widely adopted. Keywords: Direct seeded rice drills, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Plant population, Precision planting, Traditionally transplanted rice.

Development of a web Application to Assist Farmers for Selection of Direct Seeding Technologies of Rice at the Tohoku District in Japan

Development of a web Application to Assist Farmers for Selection of Direct Seeding Technologies of Rice at the Tohoku District in Japan

Cointrol of Bird Damage of Rice Direct Seeding Under Flooding

Cointrol of Bird Damage of Rice Direct Seeding Under Flooding

Temperature Change Tendency in the Northern Part of Iwate and Adaptability Evaluation of Direct Seeding Cultivation of Paddy Rice

Temperature Change Tendency in the Northern Part of Iwate and Adaptability Evaluation of Direct Seeding Cultivation of Paddy Rice

Flash Flaming Improves Flow Properties of Mediterranean Grasses Used for Direct Seeding

The demand for native grasses is increasing in restoration and agriculture, though their use is often limited due to seed handling challenges. The external structures surrounding the grass seed (i.e., the floret) possess hairs, awns, and appendages which create blockages in conventional seeding equipment. Flash flaming is a patented technology which allows precision exposure of floret material to flames to singe off hairs and appendages. We used two grasses native to Mediterranean ecosystems of Western Australia (Amphipogon turbinatus R.Br. and Neurachne alopecuoidea R.Br.) to evaluate the effects of different flaming techniques on flow properties and germination. Flaming significantly improved flowability in both species and had both neutral (A. turbinatus) and negative (N. alopecuroidea) effects on germination. Flaming torch size influenced germination, though flaming temperature (low or high) and whether this was kept constant or alternating had no effect. The best evaluation of germination following flaming was achieved by cleaning flamed florets to seed and/or germinating in the presence of karrikinolide (KAR1) or gibberellic acid (GA3). We suggest that flaming settings (particularly torch size) require species-specific evaluation and optimisation. Removing seeds from flamed florets and germination testing this material in the presence of stimulants may be a useful protocol for future flaming evaluations.

PERBANDINGAN PENDAPATAN USAHA TANI PADI SAWAH ANTARA METODE TANAM PINDAH (TAPIN) DAN TANAM BENIH LANGSUNG (TABELA) DI DESA MEKARUO KECAMATAN DUMOGA BARAT KABUPATEN BOLAANG MONGONDOW

This study aims to determine how much difference the income of lowland rice farming with the Moving Planting Method (Tapin) and Direct Seed Planting (Tabela) in Mekaruo Village, Dumoga Barat District, Bolaang Mongondow Regency. The research was conducted from March to May 2019. The data sources in this study used primary and secondary data. Primary data is through direct interviews with respondent farmers using a questionnaire. Secondary data is data obtained through the agencies involved in this study. Respondents in this study were lowland rice farmers in the village of Mekaruo. The data analysis used in this research is quantitative descriptive analysis through the calculation of gross income, total costs, and fixed costs incurred during one growing season. The results showed that the income of lowland rice farming with direct seed planting method was greater than the income of transplanted lowland rice. Comparison of farm income that applies the transplanting method (Tapin) with the average value. Rp. 7,851,083 and farmers who applied the direct seed planting method (Tablea) with an average value. Rp. 11,083,767 in Mekaruo Village, seen from the comparison of the average farm income cultivated.*eprm*

Rehabilitation of Soil Properties by Using Direct Seeding Technology

The application of direct seeding technology on typical and ordinary chernozems in the European territory for four years has resulted in a significant increase in the content of soil organic matter in regions with sufficient moisture supply and some tendency of its in regions with insufficient moisture supply (Stavropol region). A tendency for an increase in the available phosphorus and exchangeable potassium contents has also been observed. The yield of crops and profitability of production in the course of long-term (> 7 yr) application of direct seeding are approximately 30% higher than in the case of traditional technologies. Application rates of glyphosate-containing herbicides to control weeds can be significantly reduced in the case of using cover crops, modern biochemical methods, and strict compliance with the technology of herbicide application. Taken together, these measures ensure an increase in the number and species diversity of microorganisms that can suppress pathogenic microflora significantly reducing the damage to plants from diseases and pests.

Geochemical Properties of Variable Charge Soil Explain the Low Nitrogen Bioavailability

ABSTRACT In the Vakinankaratra region of the Malagasy Highlands, rainfed rice cultivation has developed rapidly, which has led to rapid degradation of soil fertility and reduced productivity. This study involved a comparison of rainfed rice in rotation with maize/Brachiaria (MZ-BR) or maize/soybean (MZ-SB) intercrops, managed by direct seeding (DS) or plowed with residue burial (PB) with conventional mineral fertilization (FM) or without fertilizer (F0). The umbric Acrisol (hyperdystric) presented an anion exchange capacity (AEC) and variable charge according to the pH. Mineralizable nitrogen (Nminz.) values decreased sharply from the surface to the deep horizons and became almost nil in the 90–120 cm horizon, while the Nminz. contents of the DS treatments were systematically 5–7% higher than the PB treatment values for a given depth. The AEC of the 0–10 cm horizon was practically zero but increased significantly with depth and reached 2.58 cmol(c) kg−1. AEC values were inversely correlated with the organic carbon (Corg.) content: AEC = 1.81–0.375 Corg. The nitrate adsorption isotherms were linear and the nitrate partition coefficients (coef_nit) were correlated with the AEC values: coef_nit = 0.3363 AEC+0.1855 (R2 = 0.954). The soil nitrate stock determinants were highlighted by the matrix of correlations of the principal component analysis: excheangeable acidity and aluminum, cation exchange capacity, ΔpH, Corg. and clay and total silt contents were particularly important for the AEC and coef_nit. The different cropping systems showed no significant impact after 12 years on soil characteristics that could improve nitrogen bioavailability. We thus recommend using organic fertilization to raise the soil pH, Corg. content and nitrogen bioavailability.

Seed security response during COVID-19: building on evidence and orienting to the future.

In response to COVID-19, seed security interventions are being planned to help bolster fragile livelihoods. After 25 years of research during emergencies, there are many lessons to build on, including that seed systems, especially informal markets, prove fairly resilient and often function even in high stress contexts. As a wise first step, given the possible volatility in supply, farmers’ seed saving should be supported actively and at scale. Rigorous remote assessments will have to become the new norm for gauging seed security, with reviews recognizing that different crops might be affected in different ways by specific seed channel stress or breakdown. Well-known short-term seed security responses, for example, Direct Seed Distribution, will need to be tailored to the new COVID-19 reality, particularly in terms of altering logistics. More fundamentally, three new factors might herald a transformation in response: 1) Choice for farmers has to be the operative principle (especially as markets may fluctuate quickly); 2) Remote two-way ‘state of the art’ communication has to be built rapidly; and 3) Seed quality options might need to be liberalized, especially given the scale of possible seed security intervention. Covid-19 effects will likely linger several years or potentially six to nine seasons (depending on agricultural calendar). Now might be the time to move from stop-gap responses (and repetitive ones) to more sustainable and powerful market-led support, with particular emphasis on responses that leverage and strengthen the informal sector markets.

Effect of Furrow Bottom Seeding on Ridges in Direct Seeding of Spring-Sown Onion in Tohoku

Effect of Furrow Bottom Seeding on Ridges in Direct Seeding of Spring-Sown Onion in Tohoku

Breaking Seed Dormancy during Dry Storage: A Useful Tool or Major Problem for Successful Restoration via Direct Seeding?

To facilitate the restoration of disturbed vegetation, seeds of wild species are collected and held in dry storage, but often there is a shortage of seeds for this purpose. Thus, much research effort is expended to maximize the use of the available seeds and to ensure that they are nondormant when sown. Sowing nondormant (versus dormant) seeds in the field should increase the success of the restoration. Of the various treatments available to break seed dormancy, afterripening, that is, dormancy break during dry storage, is the most cost-effective. Seeds that can undergo afterripening have nondeep physiological dormancy, and this includes members of common families such as Asteraceae and Poaceae. In this review, we consider differences between species in terms of seed moisture content, temperature and time required for afterripening and discuss the conditions in which afterripening is rapid but could lead to seed aging and death if storage is too long. Attention is given to the induction of secondary dormancy in seeds that have become nondormant via afterripening and to the biochemical and molecular changes occurring in seeds during dry storage. Some recommendations are made for managing afterripening so that seeds are nondormant at the time for sowing. The most important recommendation probably is that germination responses of the seeds need to be monitored for germinability/viability during the storage period.

Performance and Energy Efficiency of New Rice Varieties Under Aerobic Growing Conditions, Different Tillage and Direct Seeding Methods in Kalinga, Philippines

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of three (3) selected hybrid rice varieties, namely NSIC RC9 (V1), M19 (V2), M20 (V3) and one (1) inbred rice variety (M228) through minimum and conventional tillage with the use of different direct-seeding methods for seeding in aerobic condition in Kalinga, Philippines. Methods/analysis: The field experiment was laid out in a split-split-plot in RCBD with tillage, seeding method, and variety as treatments in four replications. The agronomic performance, yield performance, and energy efficiency of the rice varieties were evaluated in two cropping year from August 2013 to March 2015. Agronomic performance, such as seed emergence, height at maturity, number of productive tillers, length of panicles, percent of filled grains, weight of 1000 seeds, final grain yield of the said varieties were analyzed for each treatments. The cost effectiveness, labor productivity, and energy efficiency were also analyzed for each treatment. Findings: Generally, there are no significant differences of the selected varieties including the inbred variety in terms of seed emergence, plant height, length of panicle, productive tillers, and percent filled grains, 1000 grain weight and grain yield under tillage practices and different seeding techniques. In like manner, the agronomic and yield performance varied across varieties. Regardless of tillage practices, the varieties did not exhibit any significant differences in terms of production cost, labor productivity and energy efficiency after two cropping year. Furthermore, plastic drum seeding techniques found to be more cost effective, while Korean seeding technique had the highest labor productivity and most energy efficient. Based on the result of the study, the agronomic and yield performance of newly released varieties are comparable as to inbred varieties used while the used of plastic drum seeder had the lowest cost of production and highest overall energy ratio (OER). On the other hand, the highest labor productivity was observed from the used of Korean seeder. Novelty/improvement: This study demonstrated that selected rice varieties exhibited the same agronomic performance and yield performance under conservation and minimum tillage with different seeding techniques in Kalinga, Philippines. In addition, the production cost, labor productivity, and energy efficiency depend from seeding techniques to be employed. Keywords: Energy Efficiency, Aerobic, Tillage, Direct Seeding, Labor Productivity.

Design and Development of Precision Planter for Paddy Direct Seeding

A study was undertaken to design and develop a precision planter for direct seeding of paddy to overcome the problems faced in direct seeding with respect to seed rate and spacing. Physical and engineering properties of paddy seeds of three varieties (PUSA1121, PUSA-44 and BPT-5204) representing long, medium, and small-sized paddy seed were used for selection of design values of planter components. Based upon laboratory performance, an optimum size metering plate, forward speed of operation, and angle of inclination were selected; and a prototype of a tractor-drawn 9-row precision paddy planter with electronic metering was developed. Performance results indicated a mean seed spacing of 150.1 mm (closer to recommended 150 mm), 90.5 % highest quality feed index, 5.7 % lowest miss index and 6.2 % multiple index, minimum seed damage of 0.38 % and optimum seed rate of 20.15 kg.ha-1 (closer to recommended 20 kg.ha-1) at a forward speed of 2.0 km.h-1 and 350 angle of inclination of slanting-type cells. The breakeven point and payback period of the prototype precision planter were 95 h.year-1 and 2.5 years, respectively, and were close to that of mechanical planter (88 h.year-1 and 2.3 years, respectively).

Design and Development of Precision Planter for Paddy Direct Seeding

A study was undertaken to design and develop a precision planter for direct seeding of paddy to overcome the problems faced in direct seeding with respect to seed rate and spacing. Physical and engineering properties of paddy seeds of three varieties (PUSA1121, PUSA-44 and BPT-5204) representing long, medium, and small-sized paddy seed were used for selection of design values of planter components. Based upon laboratory performance, an optimum size metering plate, forward speed of operation, and angle of inclination were selected; and a prototype of a tractor-drawn 9-row precision paddy planter with electronic metering was developed. Performance results indicated a mean seed spacing of 150.1 mm (closer to recommended 150 mm), 90.5 % highest quality feed index, 5.7 % lowest miss index and 6.2 % multiple index, minimum seed damage of 0.38 % and optimum seed rate of 20.15 kg.ha-1 (closer to recommended 20 kg.ha-1) at a forward speed of 2.0 km.h-1 and 350 angle of inclination of slanting-type cells. The breakeven point and payback period of the prototype precision planter were 95 h.year-1 and 2.5 years, respectively, and were close to that of mechanical planter (88 h.year-1 and 2.3 years, respectively).

Planting of Seedlings and Direct Seeding with Different Inputs in Pioneer Species in the Southeastern Amazon

Planting of Seedlings and Direct Seeding with Different Inputs in Pioneer Species in the Southeastern Amazon

Establishment of Non-coated Pregerminated Seeds of Rice with the Improving Air-conveyed Drill Seeder in Submerged Direct Seeding

Establishment of Non-coated Pregerminated Seeds of Rice with the Improving Air-conveyed Drill Seeder in Submerged Direct Seeding

Investigation of Rice Blast Occurrence in Transplanting and Direct Seeding Fields of a Large-scale Farm and Evaluation of Estimation Methods of Favorable Meteoro­logical Conditions for Leaf Blast Infection Using the Leaf-Wetness Sensor

Investigation of Rice Blast Occurrence in Transplanting and Direct Seeding Fields of a Large-scale Farm and Evaluation of Estimation Methods of Favorable Meteoro­logical Conditions for Leaf Blast Infection Using the Leaf-Wetness Sensor

Dry Direct Seeding Techniques for a Tropical Double Cropping System

Dry Direct Seeding Techniques for a Tropical Double Cropping System