Copyright © 2010 by "Dr. Shailaja Hittalmani" · All Rights reserved · E-Mail: Rice@AerobicRice.org
“Aerobic Rice Variety MAS 946-1”
Rice is the most important food crops cultivated under submerged conditions by transplanting. This method of cultivation requires large quantities of water, and is labour intensive. It is estimated that 5000 liters of water is needed to produce 1 kg of Rice.
Water is most limited natural resource of later, due to failure of rains and over-exploitation of ground water. The dwindling water resources reveal a grim situation for low land puddled Rice cultivation.
Farmers are seeking alternate methods of cultivation for growing Rice to combat this water scarce situation. One such method is cultivation of rice under aerobic situation which is characterized by aerated soil environment during the entire period of crop growth. In this type of cultivation rice is grown like Ragi, Maize or Jowar by giving surface irrigation.
Irrigation is provided once in 5-7 days in direct seeded aerobic rice crop. Varieties suitable for this type of cultivation also possess ability to withstand drought periods. Varieties are bred for aerobic situation with root introgressed from upland genotype base that yield on an average of 5.0 t/ha of grain and 6.0 t/ha of fodder.
This type of cultivation saves about 60 percent of water. The amount of methane emitter under aerobic situation is very low this protecting the environment. A new mid-early, medium fine grain, high yielding variety MAS 946-1 was released by the University of Aerobic Cultivation in zone 5 of Karnataka.
ADVANTAGES OF AEROBIC CULTIVATION
ØPuddling and Submergence is not required
ØDirect seed sowing
ØNursery and transplanting is not required
ØSaving of seeds up to 80%
ØLess Labour requirement
ØSaving of water up to 60 percent
ØEfficient fertilizer utilization
ØLess pest / disease incidence
ØReduced methane emission leading to lower environment pollution
ØProfuse rooting and High tilling, Less lodging and high grain and fodder yield.
ØRetention of soil structure and quality
"More Yield Per Field" With Less And Less Water...