Seed scarcity and rapid extinction of deepwater rice (DWR) cultivars in Bangladesh
1993
Islam, Z. (Bangladesh Rice Research Inst., Gazipur (Bangladesh). Entomology Div.)
On-station and on-farm research and observations in farmers' fields have shown that both boro rice and DWR [deepwater rice] can be grown on the same land with careful planning. A visit in April 1992 to a few DWR areas in the Jamuna floodplain in Mirzapur and Deldwer of Tangail district indicated that farmers did not grow much DWR after modern variety (MV) boro because of the unavailability of DWR seed. Only one of more than 50 farmers was selling rice in a remote local market had DWR seed, despite high demand. In the past, DWR seed was abundant at seeding time (Mar/Apr) in the villages and local markets. The past DWR-based cropping pattern dominated (62%), followed by a jute-based pattern (38%). Expansion of MV boro during the past 20 yr reduced DWR, jute and nonrice winter crops such as pulses and oilseeds. The present DWR-based pattern occupies about 8% of the land, the jute pattern 9%, and MV boro pattern 83%. The number of DWR cultivars was also reduced. More than 60 % of the cultivars grown in the 1960s have already disappeared. The late-maturing cultivars, which had rapid elongation ability and were suitable for growing in very deep water (250 cm), have been affected severely. Scarcity of DWR seed and rapid extinction of cultivars have also been observed in other Bangladesh DWR areas
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