Unpuddled mechanical transplanting of rice: A way towards conservation agriculture

Abstract

Keeping view of the facts, it is assumed that unpuddled mechanical transplanting of rice is a promising technique of rice transplanting for all rice growing states. Due to labour shortage and water scarcity, this technology is supposedly a better technology for rice cultivation in next 10 years as it has capacity to lessen the labour drudgery and promote rice cultivation with less water. Unpuddled mechanical rice transplanting provides better returns over zero tilled direct sown rice (ZTDSR) or puddle transplanted rice while yield level of unpuddled mechanical transplanted rice is same as that of puddle transplanted rice and more over ZTDSR. In addition, it provides better physical condition of rice fields due to less disturbance of soil which has positive response on succeeding crops.