Rainfed rice - IRRI books - International Rice Research Institute

RAINFED RICE A SOURCEBOOK OF BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES IN EASTERN INDIA
Biophysical
Uplands
10
Constraints to rice production
The constraints to rainfed rice farming are many and vary from area to area. Most of the
major constraints related to higher rice productivity can be understood under various factors
such as:
Moisture stress due to erratic and often inadequate rainfall, high runoff, poor soils, and
lack of facilities for rainwater and soil moisture conservation/life-saving irrigation (upland
and drought-prone rainfed lowlands).
Intermittent moisture stress due to low and erratic rainfall, and poor soils as in Madhya
Pradesh, Orissa and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. Flash floods, waterlogging/
submergence due to poor drainage, low-lying physiography and high rainfall in
submergence-prone lowlands, as in Assam, West Bengal and north Bihar. Accumulation
of toxic decomposition products in ill-drained soils and soil reduction, encouraging
problems of iron toxicity (in Assam).
Continuous use of traditional varieties due to the non-availability of improved seeds and
farmers’ lack of awareness about HYV (uplands, rainfed lowlands and deepwater areas).
Low soil fertility due to soil erosion leading to losses of soil nutrient and moisture. Low
and imbalanced use of fertilisers in the uplands due to non-availability of any suitable
method to apply the fertiliser in standing water in rainfed lowlands and semi-deep and
deepwater areas.
Heavy infestation of weeds and insect pests such as blast and brown spot and poor
attention for their timely control (uplands and rainfed lowlands).
Poor crop stand establishment due to broadcast seeding, resulting in uneven
germination (uplands and direct-seeded lowlands); delay in monsoon onset, often
leading to delayed and prolonged transplanting and sub-optimum plant population
(mostly in rainfed lowlands).
Poor adoption of improved crop production technologies due to technology
inappropriateness and economic backwardness of farmers (uplands and lowlands).
Low yield and sparse growth in rainfed uplands due to moisture stress