Traditional Rice Cultivation Research Articles

Towards Paddy Rice Smart Farming: A Review on Big Data, Machine Learning, and Rice Production Tasks

Big Data (BD), Machine Learning (ML) and Internet of Things (IoT) are expected to have a large impact on Smart Farming and involve the whole supply chain, particularly for rice production. The increasing amount and variety of data captured and obtained by these emerging technologies in IoT offer the rice smart farming strategy new abilities to predict changes and identify opportunities. The quality of data collected from sensors greatly influences the performance of the modelling processes using ML algorithms. These three elements (e.g., BD, ML and IoT) have been used tremendously to improve all areas of rice production processes in agriculture, which transform traditional rice farming practices into a new era of rice smart farming or rice precision agriculture. In this paper, we perform a survey of the latest research on intelligent data processing technology applied in agriculture, particularly in rice production. We describe the data captured and elaborate role of machine learning algorithms in paddy rice smart agriculture, by analyzing the applications of machine learning in various scenarios, smart irrigation for paddy rice, predicting paddy rice yield estimation, monitoring paddy rice growth, monitoring paddy rice disease, assessing quality of paddy rice and paddy rice sample classification. This paper also presents a framework that maps the activities defined in rice smart farming, data used in data modelling and machine learning algorithms used for each activity defined in the production and post-production phases of paddy rice. Based on the proposed mapping framework, our conclusion is that an efficient and effective integration of all these three technologies is very crucial that transform traditional rice cultivation practices into a new perspective of intelligence in rice precision agriculture. Finally, this paper also summarizes all the challenges and technological trends towards the exploitation of multiple sources in the era of big data in agriculture.

Mitigating global warming potential with increase net ecosystem economic budget by integrated rice-frog farming in eastern China

Integrated rice-frog farming (IRFF) is gaining attention to remediate the negative environmental impacts induced by traditional rice cultivation. However, the net ecosystem economic budget (NEEB) of the IRFF still has to be evaluated. In this study, we conducted a two-year field experiment to assess the impacts of IRFF on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, global warming potential (GWP), greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), and NEEB in rice fields. This study was implemented using six different frogs’ densities, namely, control check (T0), 3750 frogs ha−1 (T1), 7500 frogs ha−1 (T2), 15,000 frogs ha−1 (T3), 30,000 frogs ha−1 (T4) and 60,000 frogs ha−1 (T5), respectively. Compared with the T0 control, the average IRFF improved yield gains by 57.8 % and significantly decreased GHGI by approximately 94.1 %. During the rice growing seasons, the CH4 emissions accounted for over 90 % of the GWP based on the 100-year scale of the IPCC. Considering the GWP costs of CH4 and N2O emissions, the NEEB of T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 treatments increased (relative to T0) by 29112, 26921, 30596, 22161, and 2693 CNY ha−1 y−1, respectively. Our findings suggest that applying IRFF can simultaneously mitigate GWP and improve the economic benefits of rice farming. While the treatment T3 viz. 15,000 frogs ha−1 can be a suitable ecological rice farming in place of traditional one.

ADOPTION OF DIRECT SEEDED RICE (DSR) OVER PUDDLED-TRANSPLANTED RICE (TPR) FOR RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND INCREASING WHEAT YIELD

Global rice production has revealed signs that it may no longer be stable in the future. Along with the increasing population, the resources for rice production are declining. Moreover, water needs labor force for transplanting rice has become insufficient because laborers are shifting from agriculture to industry, public works, and overseas job. In view of this, the Direct-seeded rice has been put forward as an appropriate substitute to traditional puddled-transplanted rice with efficiency to save water, reduced labor requirement, mitigation of green-house gas emission, and adaptability to climatic risks. It has potentiality to increase the productivity of the subsequent non-rice crop i.e. wheat particularly in Rice-Wheat cropping system, the dominant cropping system in South Asia. However, the DSR suffers from several constraints, particularly high weed infestation. The system has been proved farmers-friendly but requires more enhancements in technological approach to realize higher benefits. In recent years, strategies have been made in promoting the DSR technology by different organizations. Scientists are working in developing suitable varieties and agronomic packages for encouraging the DSR. This review describes the resource and environmental constraints of traditional puddled-transplanted rice cultivation, analyzes the advantages and constraints of DSR, and solutions to problems of DSR in Nepal.

Comparative Study of Input Use, Productivity and Profitability of Hybrid and Traditional Rice Cultivation in Assam, India

With the rising demand for food in India, hybrid rice plays a vital role in its high production. A research study was conducted in Assam, a northeastern state of India is purely agrarian in nature with major ricegrowing seasons Ahu (Autumn), Sali (Winter) and Boro (Summer) in the state. Hybrid rice in Boro season is getting momentum in the state because it is giving higher yield to the rice farmers than traditional rice varieties. The study was design to compare the economics of hybrid rice and traditional rice cultivation in Assam with total sample of 90, considering 60 hybrid rice grower and 30 traditional rice grower using cost concepts given by CACP. The result shows that the cost of cultivation of hybrid rice was higher than the traditional rice due to the higher cost of fertilizer, seed and labour. However, the yield of hybrid rice was much higher (109.92ql-ha) than the traditional rice (49.70 ql-ha)). Thus, the farmers obtained a higher return over cost from hybrid rice (2.30) than traditional rice (1.66). The finding has suggested the adoption of hybrid rice in the study area a profitable for farmers to have more income even with the higher cost of production.

Heterogeneity of the rice microbial community of the Chinese centuries-old Honghe Hani rice terraces system.

SummaryThe Honghe Hani rice terraces system (HHRTS) is a traditional rice cultivation system where Hani people cultivate remarkably diverse rice varieties. Recent introductions of modern rice varieties to the HHRTS have significantly increased the severity of rice diseases within the terraces. Here, we determine the impacts of these recent introductions on the composition of the rice‐associated microbial communities. We confirm that the HHRTS contains a range of both traditional HHRTS landraces and introduced modern rice varieties and find differences between the microbial communities of these two groups. However, this introduction of modern rice varieties has not strongly impacted the overall diversity of the HHRTS rice microbial community. Furthermore, we find that the rice varieties (i.e. groups of closely related genotypes) have significantly structured the rice microbial community composition (accounting for 15%–22% of the variance) and that the core microbial community of HHRTS rice plants represents less than 3.3% of all the microbial taxa identified. Collectively, our study suggests a highly diverse HHRTS rice holobiont (host with its associated microbes) where the diversity of rice hosts mirrors the diversity of their microbial communities. Further studies will be needed to better determine how such changes might impact the sustainability of the HHRTS.

Evaluating the Impact of Single Application and Co-applications of Mangrove Biochar on CH4 and N2O Emissions, Soil Properties and Yield on Farmer’s Traditional Rice Cultivation

Evaluating the Impact of Single Application and Co-applications of Mangrove Biochar on CH4 and N2O Emissions, Soil Properties and Yield on Farmer’s Traditional Rice Cultivation

Study on cultivation and marketing of traditional rice varieties in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts, Tamil Nadu

India is endowed exceptionally with a rich biodiversity suited to rice ecosystem. Several varieties are unique to various states and also to ethnic groups. Indigenous varieties are still conserved for a variety of reasons. The present study analyzed the traditional rice cultivation and marketing in Thiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts of Tamil Nadu. The two districts were selected purposively and 70 farmers were selected randomly from these districts for the study. Mappilai Samba, a leading variety was ranked first followed by Seeraga Samba, Thuyamalli, Sigappukavuni, Karuppukavuni, Poongar, Kuzhiyadichan and Kaivirai. The total cost of cultivation of traditional rice was worked out to be Rs 34235.4 per acre. Gross return realized from one acre of traditional rice grown by sample farmers was Rs 51000 and net return Rs 16764.60. Two types of marketing channels were identified in the study area. Channel I included the NGO-based FPO and channel II the millers and processors as market intermediaries. Price spread analysis was estimated for one ton of rice and the sample farmers received a higher consumer share of rupee (65.48%) in channel I and only 42.02 per cent in channel II. The constraints faced by the farmers in traditional rice production and marketing as per the order of importance were no support from government, absence of crop insurance coverage, duplicate products in market, non-availability of seeds, lack of awareness among consumers, large number of middlemen etc.

Controlled-release fertilizer enhances rice grain yield and N recovery efficiency in continuous non-flooding plastic film mulching cultivation system

Non-flooding plastic film mulching (PM) cultivation is a promising water-saving technology for rice cultivation. However, because the N fertilizer can only be applied before transplanting due to technical difficulties with later applications, it results in excessive vegetative growth and potential N shortages during the reproductive stages, which may limit grain yield potential. The use of polymer-coated urea (PCU), a slow release N fertilizer, has become one of the best management practices for increasing crop yield and improving N recovery efficiency in traditional flooded rice cultivation (TF), but has not been tested in PM cultivation. The objective of the eight-year (2008–2015) field experiment in the present study was to compare the effects of PCU with a conventional prilled urea fertilizer (PU) and a control (no N fertilizer applied; CK) on grain yield, N recovery efficiency, yield components, and soil nutrients under PM and TF cultivation systems. Within fertilizer treatment, plant N uptake and N recovery efficiency were almost always significantly higher in the PM than the TF cultivation treatments. PCU application significantly increased these parameters in both cultivation systems, but usually by significantly more with PM cultivation. Compared to the PU treatment, PCU significantly increased rice grain yield in both cultivation systems every year (by means of 11% and 15% in the TF and PM, respectively), except for TF in the first year. Within fertilizer treatment, yields of PM and TF were similar. In comparison with PU, the use of PCU had no effect on soil organic matter or alkali-hydrolyzable N. However, PM cultivation decreased these parameters. In conclusion, PCU application increased the N recovery efficiency and N availability in both cultivation systems during the reproductive stages of rice, and thus improved rice grain yield. We demonstrated that the application of PCU is a practical N fertilizer management technique that improves rice grain yield and N recovery efficiency, and is an effective solution to fertilization challenges in PM rice cultivation systems.

No-tillage increases irrigated rice yield through soil quality improvement along time

No-tillage (NT) systems have arisen as a promising alternative to traditional rice cultivation in flooded soils, such as pre-germinated (PG) and conventional tillage (CT) systems. However, how NT affects soil properties and grain yield is not completely understood, especially over the long term. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of three tillage systems (CT, NT and PG) on soil chemical, physical and biological attributes and the influence of these attributes on rice yield over time in a lowland soil of the Brazilian subtropical region. The rice grain yield was evaluated for 16 growing seasons, and the soil properties were evaluated from 17 to 21 years after the beginning of the experiment. After 14 growing seasons, rice yield was greater (3.4%) under the NT system compared to under the CT system. The increase in rice yield over time resulted in 67% greater soil organic matter (OM) content, exchangeable Ca and Mg and consequently cation exchange capacity (CEC) under the NT system compared to the CT and PG systems. In addition, soil bulk density and microbial C and N were 15%, 40% and 75% greater, respectively, under the NT system than under the CT system in the surface soil layer. The lack of soil disturbance associated with the high input of crop residues and flooding soil conditions favored the chemical, physical and biological soil properties through soil OM content, improving rice yields after 14 yr of NT adoption in relation to CT adoption.

Effects of cultivation techniques on CH4 emissions, net ecosystem production, and rice yield in a paddy ecosystem

This study analyzed the effects of traditional rice cultivation (TC), ridge tillage and terrace rice cultivation (RC), and ridge tillage and terrace rice cultivation plus loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) breeding in ditches (RLC) on methane (CH4) emissions and daytime net ecosystem production (NEP) of CO2 fluxes in a paddy ecosystem using the ultra-portable greenhouse gas (GHG) analyzer with a static transparent chamber. Rice plant characteristics and yields were also measured with field experiments and laboratory analysis. The aim was to explore the possible contribution of the rice ridge terraced cultivation to yield while reducing GHG emissions. We found that (1) RC has the highest rice yield for both the early-and late-season rice, followed by TC and RLC. (2) The combined CH4 emission and daytime NEP values were the least for RC during the double growing season, followed by TC and RLC. (3) Comparing the cumulative global warming potential and yield-scaled emission, RC showed the lowest GHG emission and the highest NEP for the double growing season, followed by TC and RLC. The results indicated that RC was beneficial for increasing rice yields while decreasing CO2 and CH4 emissions in the paddy ecosystem.

The Impact Interaction of Three Different Tillage Methods and Rice Residual Management on Soil Physical Properties and Rice Growth

One of the major problems of rice cultivation in Guilan is traditional rice cultivation along with autumn tillage and burning last year’s residual, which besides wasting this valuable organic source is followed by environmental pollution in September and October each year. This study aimed to evaluate three different methods of tillage as far as soil physical properties and rice growth under crop residual burning and conservation conditions are concerned. Therefore, an area of 1,800 square meters was chosen in Islamabad Village, Pirbazar District, Rasht. A factorial experiment was designed and conducted in a randomized complete block design with 6 treatments in 3 replications and in 18 plots (each plot = 10 × 10 square meters). Treatments included tillage factor with no-tillage, autumn and winter tillage methods; and residue management factor included crop residual burning and conservation. The results showed that the amount of soil organic matter in residual burning and residual conservation was 2.18% and 2.69%, respectively, showing a 0.51% increase in organic matter. The amount of organic matter in no-tillage method (2.20%) showed a signifiant decrease of 0.32% and 0.38% compared with autumn tillage (2.52%) and winter tillage (2.58%), respectively. Surface water infitration in soil before performing treatments was 2.01 mm per minute, which was signifiantly increased by 2.81 mm per minute in crop residual conservation treatment, 2.91 mm per minute in winter tillage and 2.38 mm per minute in autumn tillage. Rice grain weight was signifiantly increased in residual conservation and no-tillage conditions. According to the results of this study, incorporation of rice residues into the soil by plowing can be recommended.

Long-Term Changes in Food Intake by Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea), Black-Crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) Foraging in Rice Fields in Italy

In northwestern Italy, traditional rice cultivation using permanent flooding has been replaced by cultivation that uses a reduced water depth and a shortened submersion period. Prey availability for the numerous herons and egrets using this intensive rice cultivation region changed as well, with a diminution of amphibians and an increase of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and oriental weatherfish (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). The prey intake in 2014 was compared with data available for 1987 for the three most common species of waterbirds that forage in the paddies. Total biomass intake by Grey Herons (Ardea cinerea) feeding in the paddies decreased from 28 g dry mass/min in 1987 to 7 g in 2014, and by Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) from 8 g to 5 g, while the intake by Little Egrets (Egretta garzetta) remained similar (12 and 13 g in 1987 and 2014, respectively). The observed levels of prey intake allowed breeding Grey Herons to meet their energy needs by feeding exclusively in the rice paddies in 1987, but not in 2014. The other two study species could not meet their daily requirements for successful breeding by feeding in the paddies only, either in 1987 or 2014. Yet the three species bred successfully in the study area, and their reproductive output remained stable both in 1987 and 2014. Successful breeding was probable by the three species foraging in other habitats, such as rivers, small natural wetlands and irrigation canals, in the region.

Urea deep placement reduces yield-scaled greenhouse gas (CH4 and N2O) and NO emissions from a ground cover rice production system

Ground cover rice production system (GCRPS), i.e., paddy soils being covered by thin plastic films with soil moisture being maintained nearly saturated status, is a promising technology as increased yields are achieved with less irrigation water. However, increased soil aeration and temperature under GCRPS may cause pollution swapping in greenhouse gas (GHG) from CH4 to N2O emissions. A 2-year experiment was performed, taking traditional rice cultivation as a reference, to assess the impacts of N-fertilizer placement methods on CH4, N2O and NO emissions and rice yields under GCRPS. Averaging across all rice seasons and N-fertilizer treatments, the GHG emissions for GCRPS were 1973 kg CO2-eq ha−1 (or 256 kg CO2-eq Mg−1), which is significantly lower than that of traditional cultivation (4186 kg CO2-eq ha−1or 646 kg CO2-eq Mg−1). Furthermore, if urea was placed at a 10–15 cm soil depth instead of broadcasting, the yield-scaled GHG emissions from GCRPS were further reduced from 377 to 222 kg CO2-eq Mg−1, as N2O emissions greatly decreased while yields increased. Urea deep placement also reduced yield-scaled NO emissions by 54%. Therefore, GCRPS with urea deep placement is a climate- and environment-smart management, which allows for maximal rice yields at minimal GHG and NO emissions.

A global analysis of alternative tillage and crop establishment practices for economically and environmentally efficient rice production

Alternative tillage and rice establishment options should aim at less water and labor to produce similar or improved yields compared with traditional puddled-transplanted rice cultivation. The relative performance of these practices in terms of yield, water input, and economics varies across rice-growing regions. A global meta and mixed model analysis was performed, using a dataset involving 323 on-station and 9 on-farm studies (a total of 3878 paired data), to evaluate the yield, water input, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost and net return with five major tillage/crop establishment options. Shifting from transplanting to direct-seeding was advantageous but the change from conventional to zero or reduced tillage reduced yields. Direct-seeded rice under wet tillage was the best alternative with yield advantages of 1.3–4.7% (p < 0.05) and higher net economic return of 13% (p < 0.05), accompanied by savings of water by 15% (p < 0.05) and a reduction in cost by 2.4–8.8%. Direct-seeding under zero tillage was another potential alternative with high savings in water input and cost of cultivation, with no yield penalty. The alternative practices reduced methane emissions but increased nitrous oxide emissions. Soil texture plays a key role in relative yield advantages, and therefore refinement of the practice to suit a specific agro-ecosystem is needed.

Issues and Problems Faced by Rural Farmers in Paddy Cultivation: A Case Study of the Iban Paddy Cultivation in Kuala Tatau, Sarawak

Rice is an important staple food in Asia. However, modernization and rapid development have reduced and threatened the practice, especially maintaining traditional hill rice cultivation, as in this case study by the Iban in Kuala Tatau located in the largest state in Malaysia, called Sarawak. It is important to understand the problems and challenges of this issue to ensure food security among the rural population in Sarawak, particularly the Iban. Therefore, this paper aims to discuss the issues and problems faced by rice farmers in Kuala Tatau, Sarawak. The respondents were Iban farmers in Kuala Tatau; named Sungai Semanok and Kuala Serupai, were selected as it is at a great distance from urban areas named Bintulu, and they still practices paddy cultivation. For the purpose of obtaining the data, qualitative research methods through in-depth interview techniques, group discussion and observation were utilized and the data were analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that the rice sector faced major problems such as the decrease of the number of farmers and a weak system in the distribution of subsidies. However, there were differences shown in results between the two villages as well, which were in term of inadequate agricultural land, and issues on drainage and irrigation system, depending on the distance of the village from urban area, transport facilities, and other issues as discussed in the following section.

Rapid decrease of soil carbon after abandonment of subtropical paddy fields

Background and aims Paddy field abandonment has become a major concern in China, particularly among traditional rice-cultivation regions. Abandonment results in the alteration of many processes affecting C sequestration and turnover, but the final effects on C stocks remain unknown.

Band tillage with fertilizer application for unpuddled transplanting rice in northeast of China

Many technological innovations have been developed in agriculture for rice cultivation. Farmers still rely on intensive soil tillage, broadcasting fertilizer, excess irrigation water and labor for rice production. Rice cultivation under unpuddled condition in band-tillage (BT) is a new alternative rice cultivation system in the regions where rainfall, fresh water resources, fertilizers and labors are limited. Therefore, the concept of inter-row BT (T-shaped) with row fertilizer application in soils for unpuddled transplanted rice cultivation (T1) was carried out at Fangzheng, Harbin in the northeast of China. The improved system (T1) was compared with traditional practices (T2) in randomized complete block design with three replications. T2 was done with removal of crop residue, full tillage, broadcasting fertilizer and puddled soils by using the conventional machine. Test results showed that all parameters were satisfied and met the requirements of agronomic performances. The variations of fertilizing stability and evenness were 1.84% and 1.72%, respectively. Soil cone penetration resistance was less in T1 than T2 after tillage. Irrigation water was saved by 26.3% in treatment T1 as compared with T2 for wet land preparation, and wet soil resistance depth had no significant difference. Planting depth was significantly different between the treatments which was affected by intensive tillage and puddling in T2 as compared with T1. Soil temperature was nearly similar, but comparatively 0.23°C (on average) higher than traditional system throughout the crop growing season. Crop growth rate and grain yield increased by 8.5% and 5.3%, respectively in band till with fertilizer placed compared to conventional practices of puddled transplanting. The unit production cost (￥/kg of grain yield) was found lower by 12.3% in treatment T1 than T2. The output-input ratio was marginally greater in treatment T1 (1.51) as compared to T2 (1.32). Short-term findings suggest that inter-row BT system with row fertilizer application could be used in unpuddled rice farming system instead of traditional puddled rice cultivation. Keywords: conservation agriculture, tillage system, unpuddled rice, irrigation, water saving, economics DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20160904.1673 Citation: Sarker K K, Xu C L, Wang X Y, Li M J, Li L H, Liu G M. Band tillage with fertilizer application for unpuddled transplanting rice in northeast of China. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2016; 9(4): 73－83.

Policy-driven rubber plantation and its driving factors: a case of smallholders in northeast Thailand

ABSTRACTGovernment-promoted rubber plantation has led to widespread land conversion to monoculture rubber cultivation in northeast Thailand. To understand what household characteristics influence the decision for land conversion from traditional rice and upland crops cultivation and its impacts on sustainability, the study was conducted in Nong Khai and Bueng Kan provinces of northeast Thailand by analyzing land-use changes between 2002 and 2013. Majority of conversion to rubber took place in paddy-growing areas and the economic returns from rubber along with institutional support from the government played a key role in encouraging farmers to convert to rubber. Other household characteristics, such as farmers’ experiences, age of household head, land security, size of paddy area owned, and off-farm income were important factors influencing the conversion. The reduction of paddy fields may be associated with an increased risk of food insecurity of smallholders. Spatial analysis showed that 76% of new rubber plantations currently are in environmentally unsuitable marginal areas, which are otherwise important for biodiversity conservation, watershed function, and environmental protection. The study findings will help to clarify the influencing factors on land conversion to rubber plantation and to highlight some of the environmental issues for developing sustainable extension strategies to ensure food security, reduce poverty and protect the environment from rubber plantation.

Restoration technologies of damaged paddy in hilly post-mining and subsidence-stable areas of Southwest China

The paddy fields and water storage facilities are seriously damaged by the coal mine subsiding in the hilly post-mining and subsidence-stable areas in China, which make the farmers there being suffered greatly from the lack of water for traditional rice cultivation and daily life. The purpose of this paper is to find a method to restore the damaged paddy fields, thereby promoting sustainable development of land resources, and alleviating the contradiction between people and land, as well as creating a more inhabitable environment. The research methodology included field experiments, cultivated observation, and field investigation. This paper selected the Songzao Mining Area as the research area, and focused on the restoration technologies of damaged paddy fields, through the following four different measures at three experimental fields: (1) Traditional repeated cattle plowing (CK); (2) Water retention agent with repeated cattle plowing (WC (3) Film without holes under tilth depth (FO); and (4) Film with holes under tilth depth (FW). At last, a contrastive analysis of the four measures was made according to the results of the experiments. The results show that the use of water retaining agent with repeated cattle plowing (W&C) can be the most appropriate method to restore the damaged paddy field in the hilly post-mining and subsidence-stable area in southwest China. Compared with the other three measures, its water productivity is the maximum (0.81 kg/m3), and the net income is the highest (1 403 $/hm2). What’s more, it is simple, short time-consuming, and low cost, which is benefit to generalize the use of this restoration technology. Keywords: land restoration, damaged paddy field, post-mining and subsidence-stable area, water consumption, hilly areas DOI: 10.3965/j.ijabe.20150802.1467

Socio-economic impact of system of rice intensification (SRI) and traditional rice cultivation in Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu : experiences from TN-IAMWARM Project

The study has assessed the socio-economic impact of rice intensification. The results of the study revealed that, variables namely age, education, farming experience, SRI experience, information seeking behaviour, training attended, extension orientation, economic motivation, risk orientation, market perception, innovativeness and attitude were found to be positively significant at 1 per cent level of probability with their extent of adoption of SRI technology. The most important constraint in SRI cultivation has been identified as usage of cono-weeder (58.21 %) followed by nursery management (56.61 %). The adoption of SRI technique has helped increase the rice production without increasing the area under its cultivation and has proved to serve as an alternative method for rice cultivation.