Prospects of Mechanization in Direct Seeded Rice: A Comprehensive Review
2025
Manoj Kumar, S. | Karthikeyan, R. | Thirukumaran, K. | Senthil, A. | Dhananchezhiyan, P.
The traditional method of transplanting rice seedlings is labor-intensive, prompting a shift towards direct seeding of rice as an alternative crop establishment method. Direct seeding offers several advantages, including reduced labor requirements, timely sowing, and water conservation. Innovations in machinery have significantly enhanced the efficiency of direct-seeded rice cultivation, spanning advancements from land preparation to harvest. Techniques such as no-till methods and laser leveling promote efficient resource utilization and water conservation while minimizing soil disturbance. Specialized seeders and precision seed meters ensure accurate seed placement and uniform germination. Power-operated seeders and hand-held rotary dibblers further improve sowing efficiency. Modern irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, alternate wetting and drying, and automated soil moisture sensing, optimize water productivity. Weed management has advanced with mechanical, solar-powered, and autonomous weeding technologies. Additionally, crop mapping, variable rate technology, and unmanned aerial vehicles enable precise and site-specific weed control. Overall, modern machinery has transformed direct-seeded rice cultivation, resulting in increased input use efficiency, reduced labor demands, higher crop yields, and improved sustainability. Continued innovation offers significant potential for optimizing plant establishment, minimizing post-harvest losses, enhancing profitability, and conserving natural resources. This review article examines these advancements and their implications for the future of direct-seeded rice cultivation.
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