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49
Guidelines for Dry Seeded Rice

(DSR) in the Terai and Mid Hills
of Nepal
Krishna Devkota, Sudhir Yadav, Jagat D. Ranjit,

Dil Prasad Sherchan, Ananta Regmi, Mina Devkota,
Tufail Akhtar, Elizabeth Humphreys,
Bhagirath Singh Chauhan, Virender Kumar,
Andrew J. McDonald and R.K. Malik
2014
The International Fund for Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of

the United Nations. IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing
countries.
The Cereals Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) is mandated to enhance
farm productivity and increase incomes of resource-poor farm families in South
Asia through the accelerated development and inclusive deployment of new
varieties, sustainable management technologies, partnerships and policies. The
project is being implemented by the CGIAR institutions of IRRI, CIMMYT, IFPRI,
and ILRI and supported by USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
This publication is a joint product of the International Fund for Agricultural

Development (IFAD) Resource Conserving Technologies project (IFAD Grant
No. C-ECG-46-IRRI, Sub-project 2) and the Cereal Systems Initiative for South
Asia (CSISA) and copyrighted to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), 2013,
and is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial
ShareAlike 3.0 License (Unported).
The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this
publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part
of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the International Maize
and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) and the concerning the legal status
of any country, person, territory, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning
the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Where trade names are used, this
does not constitute endorsement of or discrimination against any product by IRRI
and CIMMYT.
Citation
Devkota K, Sudhir-Yadav, Ranjit JD, Sherchan DP, Regmi A, Devkota M, Akhtar
T, Humphreys E, Chauhan BS, Kumar V, McDonald AJ, Malik, RK (2013).
Guidelines for dry seeded rice (DSR) in the Terai and mid hills of Nepal. CSISA
and IFAD joint publication. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). 40 p.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Soil suitability
3. Field preparation
a. Land leveling
b. Tillage
4. Cultivars
5. Sowing date
6. Sowing
a. Crop establishment
b. Machinery for sowing
11
c. Seed quality, rate, sowing depth, row spacing
14
d. Seed treatment
16
7. Fertilizer management
18
a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),

and zinc (Zn)
18
b. Iron (Fe)
20
8. Irrigation management
22
9. Weed management
23
a. Cultural practices
23
b. Chemicals
24
c. Physical
29
d. Surface residue retention
31
Table 1. Suitable cultivars for DSR in the Terai and

mid hills of Nepal
32
Table 2. Common weeds of DSR rice in Nepal
34
Table 3. Major knockdown and preemergence herbicides

for weed control in DSR
35
Table 4. Major postemergence herbicides for weed

control in DSR in the Terai and mid hills area
of Nepal
36
Contributors
38
Acknowledgements
38
For more details and queries, please contact
39
Further information
40
iv
Guidelines for Dry Seeded Rice

(DSR) in the Terai and Mid Hills of
Nepal
1. Introduction
Dry seeded rice (DSR) is becoming an attractive option
for farmers as it has a much lower labor requirement
and establishment cost than manually transplanted rice.
Labor for transplanting rice has become scarce and costly
because laborers are shifting from agriculture to industry,
public works, and overseas employment. DSR can be
readily adopted by small farmers as well as large farmers,
provided that the required machinery is locally available
(e.g., through custom hire). Best practice involves using a
2- or 4-wheel tractor-drawn drill to seed in rows in nontilled
or dry tilled soil, as for wheat. Because the soil is not
puddled, DSR also has a lower water requirement for crop
establishment.
2. Soil suitability
DSR can be grown on the same soils as puddled
transplanted rice, which typically range from sandy loam
to heavy clay.
Dont grow DSR on light textured soils such as loamy
sands and sands.
Dont grow DSR on poorly drained lowland soils.
Guidelines for Dry Seeded Rice (DSR) in the Terai and Mid Hills of Nepal
3. Field preparation

a. Land leveling
Key check 1.
Fields must be accurately leveled.
Land leveling using laser guidance
Good land leveling helps ensure high yield and reliable

production of DSR. This is best achieved using laserassisted land leveling. If laser-land leveling equipment is
not available, the ploughed land should be leveled carefully
using locally available land leveling equipment a scraper
(Raiser) and planking. A level field allows planters/drills
to place seed more precisely and enables more uniform
2
Land leveling using a scraper (Raiser) and planking
irrigation, leading to a uniform crop stand and improved

weed control and fertilizer use efficiency. Leveling also
helps to reduce irrigation water application by eliminating
high spots. If farmers do not have access to laser land
leveling equipment, a good way to judge the levelness of
a field is to measure the depth of the water when the field
is flooded. If this is done in a number of locations, the high
and low parts of the field can be located, which can be
smoothed out by moving soil and planking later on.
b. Tillage
DSR can be sown into tilled soil as for wheat (conventional

tillage), into partially tilled soil (strip tillage), or into
nontilled soil (zero tillage). The decision on whether
or not to cultivate the soil depends on site-specific
factors, such as the need for leveling, the availability of
appropriate machinery, weed infestation, crop rotation
and the risk of rodent attack. In areas where Cynodon
dactylon (dubo) is problematic, 1-3 summer ploughings
are recommended to desiccate the weeds.

i) Conventional tillage (CT) : For CT-DSR, the soil should be

cultivated to a depth of 510 cm to achieve a fine enough
tilth for good seed-to-soil contact as for wheat. Depending
on soil type and field conditions, this might require 12
discings followed by 12 runs of a tyne cultivator and a
planking. The best time for ploughing for field preparation
is after harvesting of the winter crop, during the hot/dry
summer. In Nepal, 4-wheel tractor powered rotovators
are becoming more common and can also be used to till
the soil. However, rotovators compact the soil which is
deleterious for the growth of upland crops such as wheat,
and therefore rotovators are not recommended.
4
Soil cracking due to use of a rotovator when the soil is dry in a heavy
textured soil cracking increases the rate of soil drying and the need for
irrigation.
ii) Zero tillage (ZT) and strip tillage (ST) : For ZT-DSR and STDSR, existing weeds should be killed by a nonselective
herbicide such as glyphosate or paraquat (see Table 3 for
application details). In situations where weed infestation
is not uniform, the herbicide can be applied as a spot
treatment rather than a blanket application, to reduce
costs. Glyphosate should be applied at least 5 days before
sowing, however paraquat can be applied up to 23 days
before sowing. Apply herbicides when weeds are actively
growing and not under stress. If weeds are under moisture
stress, a light irrigation should be given 5-7 days before
herbicide application for a better weed kill.
Use clean water and a plastic container to make the spray

solution as herbicides bind with suspended soil particles
and metal surfaces (e.g., do not use iron buckets to mix
the solution). Use a multiple-nozzle boom fitted with flatfan nozzles for full coverage (see later). Where multiple
nozzle booms are not available, single boom with a flat
fan nozzle, can be used but it will be less efficient and
effective.
Dont apply paraquat if perennial weeds are present.
In such situations, apply glyphosate.
Note - paraquat is much more toxic for humans than
glyphosate, and is readily absorbed through the skin.
Dont grow ZT-DSR if perennial weeds are problematic
use CT-DSR.
Dont use a rotovator for field preparation in heavy
clay soil.
Key check 2.
All herbicides and pesticides are toxic; apply using
all the safe procedures described below.
Use clean water and a plastic container to make
spray solution.
Use a multiple-nozzle boom fitted with flat-fan
nozzles for full coverage (see later).
Use protective clothing when applying herbicides
(see later).
4. Cultivars
Many of the inbred varieties and hybrids bred for puddled
transplanted rice have also been found suitable for DSR.
Varieties with faster growth and better early vigour are more
suitable for DSR than slower growing varieties. Shorter
duration varieties or hybrids are also preferred to reduce the
irrigation requirement and to enable timely planting of wheat
after rice harvest. However, shorter duration cultivars are not
necessarily an advantage where inadequate drainage is the
primary factor preventing timely wheat planting. The inbreds
and hybrids suitable for DSR in the Terai and mid hills of Nepal
are given in Table 1.
5. Sowing date
Key check 3.
Mid hill : 15-31 May.
Terai : 20 May-30 June, the earlier the better (late
May is optimum).
7
Where irrigation is available, or timely premonsoon showers

occur, the best date for sowing DSR is 1015 days prior
to the onset of the monsoon. The optimum time of dry
seeding rice in the mid hills is the middle of May while in the
foothills the optimum time is late May to early June. In the
Terai (plains) the optimum time is late May to early June,
as the later the crop is sown, the greater the risk of heavy
rain shortly after sowing. The monsoon rains generally start
later in the mid and far western Terai, and sowing can be
done in the first week of June. Heavy rain, especially on
heavy (clayey) soils, can seriously impair establishment.
Therefore, it is safer to sow earlier. However, the earlier the
crop is sown, the greater the need for irrigation.
6. Sowing

a. Crop establishment
Good crop establishment is the most important factor for

the success of DSR. DSR can be sown in dry or moist
soil: (1) rice seeded in dry soil requires a light irrigation to
germinate the seed, and (2) seeding in moist soil is done
after a presowing irrigation or rainfall. When seeding
into moist soil, planking after seeding helps to conserve
soil moisture and improve establishment. When using
conventional tillage, rice can be established by either
of these two methods. However, for ZT-DSR, sowing in
moist soil is better as the soil is softer. However, preemergent herbicide needs to be applied onto the moist
soil surface for a better result. If the field is too dry, give a
pre sowing irrigation before spraying.
Seeding in tilled soil (CT-DSR) using a seed drill with a fluted-roller

seeding mechanism.
Seeding in nontilled soil (ZT-DSR) using an inclined plate seed drill.
DSR seeding with full pass tillage into previously cultivated soil (power
tilleroperated seeder - a seeder with a rotary tiller powered by a 2-wheel
tractor).
DSR seeding with strip tillage into the nontilled soil.
10
b. Machinery for sowing
For precise seeding, rice should be drilled using a

multicrop planter fitted with an inclined-plate seed-metering
mechanism (see photo), and with the ability to drill both
seed and fertilizer simultaneously. DSR can also be sown
with a conventional seed-cum-fertilizer drill with a flutedroller seed-metering mechanism; however, the seeds will
not be spaced evenly and a higher seed rate is required
to avoid seed breakage. The inclined-plate seed-metering
mechanism also provides the opportunity to use primed
seed as there is no problem of seed breakage in contrast
with the use of fluted-roller seed metering. Cleaning and
maintenance of machinery is also very important to reduce
seed breakage and achieve uniform crop establishment.
Seed drills with inverted-T tynes are suitable for seeding
into both tilled and nontilled soil.
There should be good coverage of the seed with soil to
prevent desiccation and predation by rodents and birds.
Inclined-plate (left) and fluted-roller (right) metering systems.
11
Coverage of seeds with soil using chains or flaps.
Therefore, it may help to use chains or flaps behind the

tynes.
For ZT-DSR, when no or only anchored residues of the
previous crop (e.g., wheat) are retained, the same multicrop
planter can be used for seeding if fitted with suitable tynes
(e.g., inverted T, as commonly provided on multicrop
planters made in India). However, if loose or bulky crop
residues are present on the soil surface (e.g., mungbean,
loose straw), the Turbo Happy Seeder should be used.
Seed-cum-fertilizer drills for 2-wheel tractors are available in
Nepal, and can be used for DSR in the small farm holdings
in the foot hills, inner Terai and Terai region. Sowing can be
done in a single pass with full tillage or strip tillage (achieved
by removing at least 50% of the rotor blades and aligning
the remaining 24 rotor blades so that they till a narrow strip
in front of the seeding tynes, with the curved ends angled
towards the sowing line). The depth of seeding needs to
be adjusted by elevating the tillage blades to achieve a
seeding depth of 1-2 cm. This is achieved by adjusting the
roller bar attached to the back of the seed drill.
12
DSR being sown into residues using the Turbo Happy Seeder.
Because of the high speed of the rotary axle on these
drills, no prior tillage is needed using either full or strip

tillage. Some of these drills (Indian models) have an
inclined-plate seeding mechanism which enables precise
seeding of a range of seeds sizes (from rice and wheat
to maize, lentil and chickpeas). Others (Chinese models)
have fluted roller seeding mechanisms. The seed-fertilizer
drills/planters for 2-wheel tractors are an improvement on
the power tilleroperated seeders (PTOS) that have
been available for some time. The standard PTOS has a
seed box but no fertilizer box, and a fluted-roller seeding
mechanism.
13
Crop being sown by a seed-cum-fertilizer drill with inclined-plate seeding

mechanism, using full tillage, powered by a 2-wheel tractor. Tillage and
seeding are done in a single pass. Note the residues remaining on the
soil surface after sowing (right side of photo).
c. Seed quality, rate, sowing depth, row spacing

Key check 4.
Use certified seeds.
20-30 kg/ha (with inclined-plate seeding mechanism).
3545 kg/ha (with fluted-roller seeding mechanism).
Seeding depth: 12 cm.
14
Inclined plate and fluted roller seed-cum-fertilizer drills for 2-wheel

tractors.
15
Seed quality greatly influences germination rate;

therefore, the use of certified seed is recommended. For
inbreds, a seed rate of 20-30 kg/ha (using good-quality
seeds with more than 95% germination) is optimal for
DSR with a row spacing of 20 cm sown with a multicrop
planter. Under good establishment conditions, the rate
can be at the lower end of the range. However, where
there is risk of reduced establishment due to factors
such as suboptimal leveling, waterlogging, suboptimal
moisture or seed predation, the seed rate should be at
the higher end of the range. There is no yield penalty for
sowing at higher rates up to about 50 kg/ha. The seeding
depth for rice is critical and the rice should be sown at
12 cm, and definitely not deeper than 3 cm.
Dont mix seed with urea fertilizer.
d. Seed treatment
1. Priming
Seed priming (soaking the seeds for 1012 hours in

a gunny-bag [burlap] in water) is a useful practice only
under assured irrigation water availability. As DSR needs
to be sown at a shallow depth (<2 cm) in advance of the
monsoon rains, inadequate soil moisture can be a major
constraint to rapid establishment of a good crop stand.
Priming accelerates crop emergence and can thus assist
rapid establishment. After soaking, the seeds are air dried
for a couple of hours, which facilitates free flow of seeds
through the seed drill. Further, the seed can be incubated
for an additional 812 hours for pregermination if sowing is
to be done into moist soil (after rain or presowing irrigation)
16
using an inclined plate seed metering system.Incubation

involves storing the seeds overnight in a gunny bag. The
seeds should be sown shortly after priming or incubation.
Emergence of pregerminated seeds will be adversely
affected if sown into dry soil.
Dont sow primed seeds into dry soil unless you can
irrigate immediately after sowing.
Dont sow pre-germinated seeds into dry soil.
Dont sow pre-germinated seeds using a fluted roller.

2. Seed treatment with fungicides and insecticides
Where seed-borne diseases are a concern, seed

treatment with fungicides is recommended to manage
diseases such as loose smut, false smut, root rot, collar
rot, and stem rot. For this, a weighed quantity of seed is
soaked in water treated with fungicide (tebuconazole
Raxil Easy at 1 mL/kg seed, or carbendazimBavistin
at 2 g/kg) for 24 hours. The volume of water used for
soaking is equivalent to the volume of seed. The seeds
are then removed from the fungicide solution and dried
in the shade for 12 hours before sowing. Where high
quality, certified, and first or second generation seed is
used, fungicides are less likely to be needed. However, if
sowing into a field with a history of soil-borne diseases,
their use is advised.
It is important to observe your fields and know what
insect pests might be present. Where soil-borne insect
pests (e.g., termites) are a problem, seed treatment
17
with an insecticide is beneficial (imidaclopridGaucho

350 FS at 3 mL/kg, alone or in combination with
tebuconazoleRaxil Easy at 0.3 mL/kg seed). The
combination treatment will protect the seed from both
soil-borne fungi and insects. The use of imidacloprid,
or in combination with tebuconazole, is also suitable for
treating dry seeds. Mix the chemicals in 15 mL water/kg
seed.
7. Fertilizer management
Key check 5.
Avoid basal dose of urea.
Use a minimum of three splits of N fertilizer.
a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and

zinc (Zn)
Use 100-120 kg N/ha depending upon soil fertility and

variety (Table 3). Use the higher rate for hybrids. The
requirement for other fertilizers is P2O5 at 40 kg/ha,
K2O at 30 kg/ha, and ZnSO4 at 25 kg/ha (in Terai). The
nitrogen dose for CT-DSR can be reduced by 25% by
green manuring, i.e., growing Sesbania (Dhaincha) and
incorporating it 23 days prior to sowing DSR using a
knock down herbicide such as glyphosate then seeding
into the Sesbania using the Turbo Happy Seeder. This will
result in the DSR being seeded into a mulch.
All fertilizer except urea (N) should be applied at sowing.
Compound fertilizers (DAP or NPK formulations) should
18
be placed in the soil at the time of sowing using the seed

drill. If Zn is not applied at sowing, it can be applied as
a foliar spray (0.5% zinc sulfate and 1.0% urea) 30 days
after sowing (DAS) and at panicle initiation (PI), which
occurs approximately 34 weeks prior to heading. The
remaining nitrogen should be applied as urea in three
or four splits, evenly spaced, starting 23 weeks after
sowing and with the last split at PI. Apply N prior to
irrigation. Use of the leaf color chart (LCC) to determine
the N fertilizer requirement enables more precise N
Leaf color chart.
Dont broadcast urea on moist soil after irrigation or

rain. Apply urea before irrigation (or rain if likely).
19
application according to the crop requirement, and

often results in a reduction in the amount applied while
maintaining yield. The standardized LCC developed by
IRRI (photo above) is five inches long, made of highquality plastic, with four color shades from yellowish
green (No. 2) to dark green (No. 5). For high-yielding
varieties/hybrids, N application should be based on a
critical LCC value of 4.
b. Iron (Fe)
Dry seeded rice often suffers from iron deficiency when

grown on lighter soils (sandy loams and loams), and the
deficiency is worse in low-rainfall seasons. The symptoms
generally appear during the early vegetative stage in the
Symptoms of iron deficiency (foreground).
20
form of yellowing, stunted plants, and seedling death.

The crop should be sprayed with 1% ferrous sulfate
solution as soon as the symptoms appear (with repeat
applications after a week if the symptoms persist). For
severe symptoms, try to keep the field flooded/saturated
for a few days at the time of ferrous sulfate application.
If iron deficiency symptoms appear later during crop
growth, they may be due to cereal cyst nematodes
check the roots for galls to determine whether this is a
likely cause. If galls are present, avoid using this field for
DSR in the future.
Root galls indicating nematode infestation.
21
8. Irrigation management
Key check 6.
Keep the soil in the seed/root zone moist during
establishment.
Keep the soil close to saturation from the start of
heading to the start of grain filling.
The goal of irrigation management is to minimise the use
of irrigation water while maintaining yield because of
increasing water scarcity and/or the high cost of pumping
groundwater. Rice does not need to be continuously flooded
for good growth and yield. It can be grown with periodic
irrigation, allowing the soil surface to dry for a few days
between irrigations. However, if the soil becomes too dry
too often, the rice crop will suffer and there will be a loss of
yield. Therefore, irrigation needs to be managed carefully.
The irrigation requirement for DSR depends very much on
the weather and the soil type. The lighter (less clayey, more
sandy) the soil, the more frequently it will need irrigation
in the absence of adequate rain. Adding organic matter
through the application of manure, compost, or retention of
crop residues will improve soil water holding capacity and
can reduce the required frequency of irrigation over time.
DSR needs an assured water supply for the first 3 weeks
after sowing for good establishment, applying light irrigations

as needed - do not allow water to pond for more than a few
hours; drain the water off the field if necessary. When DSR
is established in hot and dry conditions, frequent irrigation
is needed to keep the soil moist in the root zone, especially
22
on lighter soils, which may require irrigation every couple

of days for good establishment. During the active tillering
phase, that is, 3045 days after seeding (DAS), and the
heading to grain-filling stage, the topsoil (015 cm) should
be kept close to saturation, with irrigation applied as needed.
At other stages the topsoil can be allowed to become drier,
but never to the degree that the leaves show signs of rolling
(no longer flat) in the early morning. For clayey soils the
appearance of hairline cracks on the soil surface is a general
indication of the need to irrigate.
9. Weed management
Weed management is usually the biggest challenge for
successful production of DSR. A much larger range of weeds
occurs in DSR than in puddled transplanted rice, and, if
uncontrolled, the degree of infestation can be great enough
to reduce rice yield to zero. There are three broad classes
of weedsgrasses, broadleaves, and sedges. Table 2 lists
the weeds commonly found in DSR in Nepal.
a. Cultural practices
Stale seedbed technique: This technique is highly

desirable if the field has a large weed seed bank (i.e., lots
of weed seeds in the soil as a result of weed infestation
in the past). Weeds are germinated and encouraged to
grow by giving one or two irrigations 2-4 weeks prior
to sowing, and then killed by either a nonselective
herbicide (glyphosate or paraquat) or tillage. If the soil
condition is suitable for sowing, use a nonselective
herbicide to kill the weeds and sow the crop without any
tillage, as tillage brings more weed seeds near the soil
23
surface and thus promotes their germination. In some

locations, volunteer rice is problematic in DSR. Under
such conditions, use of the stale seed bed technique
and rouging of the volunteer rice before grain setting are
advised. Where volunteer rice is extremely problematic,
use puddling and transplanting in the next year. Note
that the weeds must be actively growing at the time of
herbicide application, so, if the soil is dry, an irrigation
will be needed prior to herbicide application. This method
has great potential for reducing weeds in DSR because
of the 2-month fallow period between wheat harvest and
rice sowing. This technique is also helpful in managing
weedy rice, which is an emerging problem in lowland rice
in the Eastern Gangetic Plains. In ZT-DSR, retention of
15-20 cm standing residues of the preceding wheat crop
decreases weed infestation in DSR and improves soil
quality.
b. Chemicals
A wide range of herbicides is available for controlling

weeds (Table 3). All herbicides need to be mixed with
water prior to application. Clean water should be used,
as muddy water reduces herbicide efficacy. Spray tanks,
booms, and nozzles should be cleaned properly with
clean water after use. Chemicals should not be mixed
together unless recommended, as this may reduce
their effectiveness on weeds and/or be harmful to the
rice plants. Chemicals should always be applied at the
recommended rate following all safety procedures (see
key check 7 below).
24
Key check 7. A
lways use safe procedures for applying
herbicides and pesticides.
All herbicides and pesticides should be regarded
as dangerous. Proper safety precautions should be
followed. These include:
Wearing protective clothing when mixing the
chemicals with water and when spraying. This
includes wearing rubber gloves, a face mask,
goggles, a hat, a long-sleeved water repellent coat
or apron, with coat sleeves covering the gloves,
rubber boots, long trousers worn over boots.
Protective clothing should be removed and washed
after use, and operators should take a bath/shower
with soap after applying chemicals.
Operators should not smoke or eat when mixing or
applying chemicals.
Spray tanks must not be washed out in rivers or
ponds as many chemicals are toxic to fish and
amphibians.
Pesticide containers should be buried at least 50
m away from running water and 1 m deep, burnt
well away from people/houses, or recycled where
this is available.
Empty pesticide containers should not be used to
store food or drinks.
Pesticides should be stored in a locked container
out of reach of children.
25
Uniform application of the spray across the entire field

is needed to avoid misses (costly follow-up hand
weeding needed) and overspraying (waste of costly
chemicals). The best way of achieving this is with a
multinozzle (e.g., three) boom with flat-fan nozzles and
slightly overlapping spray patterns at the soil surface.
The overlap is achieved by holding the boom at the
right height (approximately 50 cm) above the target
(for preemergence, the soil surface is the target, and
for postemergence, weeds are the target, so the boom
should be 50 cm above the top of weeds). Cone nozzles
should not be used for herbicide applicationonly flatfan nozzles are recommended.
Protective clothing for spraying.
26
Protective clothes can be made from washed fertilizer bags.
When multiple nozzle boom sprayers are not available

in the market, they can be made locally by using flatfan nozzles, PVC pipe and bamboo stick/plastic pipe/
metallic rod. For a knapsack sprayer, a 3 nozzle boom
can be used, and for a foot-sprayer a 6-7 nozzle boom
can be used. The longer boom provides several times the
cost effectiveness and with better precision in herbicide
application.
27
Boom height for desired spray pattern with slight overlap at ground level
to avoid misses.
i) Preplant/knockdown herbicides
These herbicides are used to kill existing vegetation prior

to rice sowing under ZT-DSR. Glyphosate (1.0 kg a.i./ha
or 1% by volume) and paraquat (0.5 kg a.i./ha or 0.5%
by volume) are recommended. If fields are infested with
perennial weeds, use glyphosate, not paraquat.
Key check 8.
Ensure that the soil is moist before applying
preemergence herbicide.
Apply irrigation 24 h after postemergence herbicide
application if the soil is not moist.
28
ii) After crop sowing
The choice of herbicide depends on the types of weeds,

and no single herbicide can control all weeds in the rice
crop. In many situations, the best method for effective
weed control is application of a preemergence herbicide
(13 DAS, before the weeds and rice emerge), followed
by a postemergence application 1525 DAS. This will
typically involve the use of pendimethalin or oxadiargyl as
preemergence followed by a postemergence application
of bispyribac-sodium or azimsulfuron or bispyribacsodium plus azimsulfuron. If the field has only broadleaf
weeds, 2,4-D sodium salt or 2,4-D ethyl ester can also
control weeds effectively. However, in cases where the
preemergence herbicide is missed (e.g., due to rain) or
fails (e.g., due to management errors, such as soil too
dry at the time of spraying), early herbicide application
at 15 DAS should be made based on the types of weeds
present.
Dont apply preemergence herbicide on dry soil;
irrigate first if needed.
Dont allow water stress after the application of
postemergence herbicide; irrigate if needed.
Dont apply herbicide if it is raining or likely to rain in
the next 6 hours.
c. Physical
Physical weed control consists of removing weeds by

hand (manual weeding) or by machine (mechanical
weeding). It is practically and economically impossible
29
Hand and motorized mechanical weeders.
30
to control weeds solely by hand weeding because of

labor scarcity and rising labor wages. However, one or
two spot hand weedings are strongly recommended to
remove weeds that escape herbicide application, and
to prevent weed seed production and the accumulation
of weed seeds in the soil. Mechanical weeding can be
useful in reducing labor use in weeding. Motorized cono
and other hand weeders can be included as part of
integrated weed management.
d. Surface residue retention
Retention of crop residues on the soil surface in zerotillage systems also helps to suppress weeds.
31
Table 1. Suitable cultivars for DSR in the Terai and mid hills of Nepal.
Cultivar
Duration
(days)
Yield
Nitrogen
District/Region/Situation
potential requirement
(t/ha)
(kg/ha)
Inbred for Terai and inner Terai

Hardinath-1
110-115
5.0
100
Terai and Inner Terai
Sarju -52
110-118
4.5
100
Officially not released but

popular in Rupandehi,
Nawalparasi, Banke and
Bardia districts
115
4.2
90-92
Eastern and central Terai
Radha-4
Tarahara-1
120-25
3.2
100
Foothills and Terai region
Sukha-1
125
2.5-3.6
60
Terai and inner Terai, river

basin
Sukha-2
125
3.3-3.5
60

basin
Sukha-3
125
3.2-4.2
60

basin
Makarkaddu
125
5.0
100

popular, Terai, inner Terai,
irrigated and rainfed lowland
138-148
4.9
100
Chitwan
Ram Dhan
Sabitri
140-145
4.0
100
Terai and inner Terai
Samba-Sub-1
145-150
4.0
100

popular, Terai, inner Terai,
irrigated and rainfed lowland
Sona Masuli
150-155
4.5
100
Terai (Officially not released

but cover large area in
Central Terai)
Inbred suitable for mid-hills

Khumal-4
144
6.3
100
Mid hills
Khumal-8
158
9.8
100
Mid hills
Khumal-10
145
4.5
100
Mid hills
120
Terai, inner Terai, irrigated

and rainfed lowland
Hybrids suitable for Terai and inner Terai

Gorakhnath
120-125
6-7
contd...
32
Table contd...
Cultivar
Duration
(days)
Yield
Nitrogen
District/Region/Situation
potential requirement
(t/ha)
(kg/ha)
Arize 6444
135-140
7-8
120

and rainfed lowland
Bioseed 786
120-125
7-8
120

and rainfed lowland
RH 245
120-125
5-6
120

and rainfed lowland
Loknath-505
120-125
5-6
120

and rainfed lowland
Raja
120-125
5-6
120

and rainfed lowland
33
Table 2. Common weeds of DSR rice in Nepal.

Scientific Name
Common Name
Local Name
Grassy weed
Echinochloa colona
Junglerice
Banso
Echinochloa crus-galli
Barnyardgrass
Sama
Paspalum distichum
Knot-grass
Ghode dubo
Eragrostis pilosa
Indian Love grass
Charako dana
Leptochloa chinensis
Chinese Sprangletop
Eleusine indica
Goosegrass
Khode jhar
Panicumm dichotomiflorum
False panygrass
Banso
Bermuda grass
Dubo
Goat grass
Gandhe
Banso
Digitaria sp
Cyanodon dactylon
Broad leaf weed
Ageratum conyzoides
Alternanthera philoxeroides
Alligator weed
Patpate , maobade jhar
Amaranthus spinosus
Spiny pig weed
Kande lunde
Caesulia axillaris
Pink node flower
Thuk jhar
Commelina diffusa
Day flower
Kane
Commelina benghalensis
Tropical spider wort
Kane
Cyanotis sp
Eclipta prostrata
False daisy
Bhingharaj
Galinsoga ciliata
Hairy galinsoga
Chitlange
Ludwigia hyssopifolia
Sedges
Cyperus difformis
Small flower umbrella plant Mothe
Cyperus iria
Rice flatsedge
Chatre
Cyperus rotundus
Purple nutsedge
Mothe
Fimbristylis littoralis
Globe fringerush
Jhiruwa
34
Gramoxone
Paraquat
35
Topstar
Oxadiargyl
90
1,000
500
1,000
*Does not imply endorsement of the product
Stomp/Stomp
xtra
Pendimethalin
Preemergence
Roundup
Glyphosate
Knockdown/nonselective
Herbicide
Product
Rate (g
(active
(trade) name* a.i./ha)
ingredient, a.i.)
112.5 g
3,330 mL
2,580 mL
2,000 mL
2,500 mL
Product
dose (g/ha
or mL/ha)
13
13
Broad-spectrum weed control

of grasses, broadleaves, and
annual sedges. Has residual
control.
Good control of most grasses,

some broadleaves and annual
sedges. Has residual control.

sedges

sedges
Application Strengths
time (DAS)
Sufficient moisture
is needed for its
activity
Sufficient moisture
is needed for its
activity
Weak on Ipomoea
triloba and
Commelina species
Weaknesses
Table 3. M
ajor knockdown and preemergence herbicides for weed control in DSR (adapted from Kumar and
Ladha 2011).
36
Rice star
Segment
Sunrice
Azimsulfuron
Ethoxysulfuron
Granite
Penoxsulam
Fenoxapropethyl + safener
Nominee
Gold/
Adora
Bispyribacsodium
Postemergence
Herbicide
Product
(active
(trade)
ingredient, a.i.) name*
18
17.535
6090
22.5
25
Rate (g
a.i./ha)
120 g
3570 g
8701,300
mL
93.75 mL
250 mL
Product
dose (g/ha
or mL/ha)
1520
1520
1520
1520
1525
Effective on broadleaves
and annual sedges.
Broad-spectrum control of
grasses, broadleaves, and
sedges. Good control of
sedges, including Cyperus
rotundus.
Good control of annual

grassy weeds, safe on rice
at early stage.
Broad-spectrum weed
control of grasses,
broadleaves, and annual
sedges.
Broad-spectrum weed
control of grasses,
broadleaves and annual
sedges. Good control of
Echinochloa species.
time (DAS)
contd...
Does not control grasses

and poor on perennial
sedges.
Poor on Echinochloa
species.
Does not control

broadleaves and sedges.
Poor on grasses other

than Echinochloa species,
including L. chinensis,
D. aegyptium, E. indica,
Eragrostis species.
Poor on grasses other

than Echinochloa species,
including Leptochloa
chinensis, Dactyloctenium
aegyptium, Eleusine indica,
Eragrostis species. No
residual control.
Weaknesses
Table 4. M
ajor postemergence herbicides for weed control in DSR in the Terai and mid hills area of Nepal
(adapted from Kumar and Ladha 2011).
37
25 + 25
60 + 18
Bispyribac
sodium +
pyrazosulfuron
Fenoxaprop +
ethoxysulfuron
* Does not imply endorsement of the product.
645 mL +
120 g
250 mL +
250 g
250 mL +
35 g
25 +
17.5
50 g
Bispyribac
sodium +
azimsulfuron
Almix
Chlorimuron +
metsulfuron
20
1,250 mL
Product
dose (g/ha
or mL/ha)
20 g
Affinity
Carfentrazone
500
Rate (g
a.i./ha)
4 (2 +
2)
Weedmar
2,4-D ethyl
ester
Herbicide
Product
(active
(trade)
ingredient, a.i.) name*
Table contd...
1525
1520
1525
1525
1520
1525
Poor on grasses other than

Poor on grasses other than

No control of grassy weeds

and poor on C. rotundus.
Does not control grasses.
Does not control grasses.
Weaknesses
Poor on perennial sedges

Broad-spectrum weed
such as C. rotundus.
control of grasses,
broadleaves, and sedges.
Good control of all major
grasses, including L.
chinensis and D. aegyptium.
Broad-spectrum weed
control of grasses,
broadleaves, and sedges,
including C. rotundus.
Broad-spectrum weed
control of grasses,
broadleaves, and sedges,
including C. rotundus.
and annual sedges.
Effective on broadleaf
weeds. Has no residual
control.
and annual sedges.
Economical. Has no
residual control
time (DAS)
Contributors
Krishna Devkota
International Rice Research Institute
Sudhir Yadav
Jagat Devi Ranjit
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Dil Prasad Sherchan
CSISA, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Ananta Regmi
Mina Devkota
International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
Tufail Akhtar
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Elizabeth Humphreys
Bhagirath Singh Chauhan
Virender Kumar
Andrew McDonald
R.K. Malik
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Mr. Kailash Bhurer, Mitali Shah, Pradeep
Shah, Mathura Yadav, Dayamani Devi Gautam, Rajendra
Kumar Bhattarai, Neelam Shakya, Hira Kaji Manandhar, Anishur
Rahaman Ansari, Gopal Pd. Parajuli, Ganesh Sah, Salin Acharya,
Nabin Khanal, Ram Pd. Shrestha and Agronomy, Agri -Botany,
Entomology, and Plant Pathology divisions of NARC Khumaltar,
Lalitpur, National Wheat Research Program, Bhairahawa,
Regional Agriculture Research Station, Parawanipur Nepal for
their contribution during technology verification at various stages.
We are also grateful to Poornima Shankar for cover design and
other publication assistance.
38
For more details and queries, please contact

Jagat Devi Ranjit
Chief/Senior Scientist
Agronomy Division, Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Mobile: 9841293001
Email: [email protected]
Ananta Prasad Regmi
CSISA, Hub Manager
Dadeldhura, Nepal
Phone: 9847020750
Mina Devkota
Cropping Systems Agronomist
CIMMYT International, Kathmandu, Nepal
Mobile: 9847592399
39
Further information
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/csisa/en/home/item/152-sprayersandspray-techniques-manual.html
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/csisa/en/land-leveling-and-bunds/
item/123-lazer-land-leveling-farmer-and-service-provider-interview.html
http://www.knowledgebank.irri.org/csisa/en/haryana-csisa-hub/item/161operational-manual-for-multi-crop-zero-till-planter.html
Bellinder, R.R., A.J. Miller, R.K. Mallik, J.D. Ranjit, P.R. Hobbs, L.S. Brar,
G. Singh, S. Singh, and A. Yadav 2002. Improving herbicide application
in South Asia. Weed Technology Vol. 16: 845-850.
Kumar, V., Ladha J.K. 2011. Direct seeding of rice: recent developments
and future research needs. Advances in Agronomy (111): 297-413.
Ranjit, J.D. 2011. Common weeds of rice and wheat (revised edition).
Nepal Agricultural Research Council, Agronomy Division, Lalitpur,
Khumaltar, Nepal pp 40. (With pictures)
Ranjit, J.D. and R. Suwanketnikom 2005. Response of weeds and yield
of dry direct seeded rice to tillage and weed management. Kasetsart J.
(Nat. Sci.) 39: 165-173.
Ranjit, J.D. and R. Suwanketnikom 2003. Competitive ability of rice
genotypes to weeds under direct dry seeded environment. Kasetsart J.
(Nat. Sci.) 37: 264-283.
Ranjit, J.D., S. Sharma and D.D. Gautam 2010. Response of direct dry
seeded rice (Oryza sativa L) to seeding dates and seed rates. Agronomy
Journal of Nepal (Agron JN) vol. pp 16-22.
Manadhar. H. and G.P. Parajuli 2008. Dhan ma lagne pramukh rogharu
(Nepali), NARC, Plant Pathology Division, Khumaltar Lalitpur, Nepal.
40
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g]kfnsf] t/fO{ tyf dWo kxf8L If]qdf 5?

Guidelines for Dry Seeded Rice

Krishna Devkota, Sudhir Yadav, Jagat D. Ranjit,

The International Fund for Development (IFAD) is a specialized agency of

This publication is a joint product of the International Fund for Agricultural

b. Machinery for sowing

c. Seed quality, rate, sowing depth, row spacing

a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),

d. Surface residue retention

Table 1. Suitable cultivars for DSR in the Terai and

Table 2. Common weeds of DSR rice in Nepal

Table 3. Major knockdown and preemergence herbicides

Table 4. Major postemergence herbicides for weed

For more details and queries, please contact

Guidelines for Dry Seeded Rice

Land leveling using laser guidance

Good land leveling helps ensure high yield and reliable

Land leveling using a scraper (Raiser) and planking

irrigation, leading to a uniform crop stand and improved

DSR can be sown into tilled soil as for wheat (conventional

i) Conventional tillage (CT) : For CT-DSR, the soil should be

Use clean water and a plastic container to make the spray

Where irrigation is available, or timely premonsoon showers

Good crop establishment is the most important factor for

Seeding in tilled soil (CT-DSR) using a seed drill with a fluted-roller

Seeding in nontilled soil (ZT-DSR) using an inclined plate seed drill.

DSR seeding with strip tillage into the nontilled soil.

b. Machinery for sowing

For precise seeding, rice should be drilled using a

Inclined-plate (left) and fluted-roller (right) metering systems.

Coverage of seeds with soil using chains or flaps.

Therefore, it may help to use chains or flaps behind the

Because of the high speed of the rotary axle on these

drills, no prior tillage is needed using either full or strip

Crop being sown by a seed-cum-fertilizer drill with inclined-plate seeding

c. Seed quality, rate, sowing depth, row spacing

Inclined plate and fluted roller seed-cum-fertilizer drills for 2-wheel

Seed quality greatly influences germination rate;

Seed priming (soaking the seeds for 1012 hours in

using an inclined plate seed metering system.Incubation

2. Seed treatment with fungicides and insecticides

Where seed-borne diseases are a concern, seed

with an insecticide is beneficial (imidaclopridGaucho

a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and

Use 100-120 kg N/ha depending upon soil fertility and

be placed in the soil at the time of sowing using the seed

Leaf color chart.

Dont broadcast urea on moist soil after irrigation or

application according to the crop requirement, and

Dry seeded rice often suffers from iron deficiency when

Symptoms of iron deficiency (foreground).

form of yellowing, stunted plants, and seedling death.

Root galls indicating nematode infestation.

DSR needs an assured water supply for the first 3 weeks

after sowing for good establishment, applying light irrigations

on lighter soils, which may require irrigation every couple

Stale seedbed technique: This technique is highly

surface and thus promotes their germination. In some

A wide range of herbicides is available for controlling

b. Machinery for sowing

c. Seed quality, rate, sowing depth, row spacing

a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K),

d. Surface residue retention

Table 1. Suitable cultivars for DSR in the Terai and

Table 2. Common weeds of DSR rice in Nepal

Table 3. Major knockdown and preemergence herbicides

Table 4. Major postemergence herbicides for weed

For more details and queries, please contact

Good land leveling helps ensure high yield and reliable

DSR can be sown into tilled soil as for wheat (conventional

i) Conventional tillage (CT) : For CT-DSR, the soil should be

Use clean water and a plastic container to make the spray

Where irrigation is available, or timely premonsoon showers

Good crop establishment is the most important factor for

For precise seeding, rice should be drilled using a

Because of the high speed of the rotary axle on these

Seed quality greatly influences germination rate;

Seed priming (soaking the seeds for 1012 hours in

Where seed-borne diseases are a concern, seed

a. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and

Use 100-120 kg N/ha depending upon soil fertility and

Dry seeded rice often suffers from iron deficiency when

DSR needs an assured water supply for the first 3 weeks

Stale seedbed technique: This technique is highly

A wide range of herbicides is available for controlling

Uniform application of the spray across the entire field

When multiple nozzle boom sprayers are not available

These herbicides are used to kill existing vegetation prior

The choice of herbicide depends on the types of weeds,

Physical weed control consists of removing weeds by