E-Paper
Merits of zero seed drilling discussed
EMINENT AGRICULTURAL scientists, participating in the 12th Rice-Wheat Consortium, discussed the role of zero seed drilling technique for resource conservation in rice and wheat cultivation, in Varanasi on Tuesday.
EMINENT AGRICULTURAL scientists, participating in the 12th Rice-Wheat Consortium, discussed the role of zero seed drilling technique for resource conservation in rice and wheat cultivation, in Varanasi on Tuesday.
International Centre of Wheat and Maize Improvement (Mexico) director general Dr Msa Iwanaga, International Rice Research Institute (Philippines) director general Dr Robert S Zeigler and International Water Management Research Institute (Sri Lanka) director general Dr Sarath are among the other participating scientists.
The three-day marathon conclave is under way at the Indian Institute of Vegetable Research in Adalpura area, about 25 kilometres from here. The scientists were of the view that the zero seed drilling technique should not be confined to India alone, but should also be propagated in other parts of the world for better results. The scientists believed that this technique not only checked soil erosion, but the rate of sowing seed was also reduced.
It was observed that around four to five lakh million tonne of wheat seed could be saved through this technique in India per annum, which was equal to the proposed import of wheat.
This technique also saved around 100 million litre of water per hectare, which also takes care of the problem of receding ground water,” agricultural scientists said. They noted that there were a large number of beneficial micro-organisms below the ground, which could be saved through this technique.
They further said farmers could use fertilizers in an effective manner, as zero drilling technique enabled them to place fertilizers in the root zone of the plant.
It also checked water contamination that led to nitrate toxicity in the rural areas (often reported in summer).
“The crop residue which is incorporated in the soil will be a substitute of compost and chemical fertilizers that is not available in villages, and if purchased by farmers, they have to pay a high cost,” scientists said.Prof Ramesh Chand of the Department of Plant Pathology at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Banaras Hindu University said this technology was promoting farmers’ participatory research. In due course of time, these farmers were likely to be a substitute for universities and research institutes.
Prominent among others who are participating in the consortium include Dr ME Tasneem from Pakistan, Dr Nurul Alam from Bangladesh and Dr RP Shah from Nepal.
