Non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology

Source: INDIAN EXPRESS

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context:

• The adoption of direct-seeded rice and zero-tillage wheat, facilitated by new non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology, could significantly reduce the environmental impact of India's major cereal crops.

Details:

• The current kharif season has seen the commercial planting of:

• • • Two basmati varieties: Pusa Basmati 1979 and Pusa Basmati 1985.
    • Two non-basmati rice hybrids: Sava 134 and Sava 127.

• Developed by:

• • • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) - Pusa Basmati varieties.
    • Savannah Seeds Pvt. Ltd - Sava hybrids.

• These varieties and hybrids contain a mutated acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene.
• The ALS gene enables farmers to spray Imazethapyr herbicide.
• Weeds controlled by Imazethapyr in rice include:

• • • Echinochloa colona (jangli chawal)
    • Cyperus rotundus (motha)
    • Trianthema portulacastrum (patthar-chatta).

About Non-GM Herbicide-Tolerance Technology in Agriculture:

• In recent years, the agricultural sector has been exploring innovative technologies to enhance crop production while minimizing environmental impact.
• One remarkable development is the non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology, which promises significant benefits for rice and wheat cultivation in India.

Traditional Farming Practices and Their Drawbacks:

• After harvesting paddy (rice), farmers burn the leftover stubble to clear the field for wheat cultivation.
• This practice, known as stubble-burning, leads to severe air pollution and loss of soil nutrients.
• Furthermore, conventional wheat farming involves multiple ploughings, which are labor-intensive and consume considerable amounts of water and fuel. These traditional practices are not only costly but also unsustainable.

The New Non-GM Herbicide-Tolerance Technology:

• The introduction of non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology marks a significant shift in farming practices.
• This technology involves varieties of rice and wheat that can withstand the application of specific herbicides, particularly Imazethapyr and Metribuzin.
• These crops contain a naturally mutated ALS gene, making them resistant to herbicides without genetic modification (GM).

ALSO, VISIT- GM CROPS

Direct-Seeding and Zero-Tillage:

This new technology enables two major changes in farming practices:

• Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR): Traditionally, rice is grown in flooded fields, which consumes large amounts of water. With DSR, rice seeds are sown directly into the soil, significantly reducing water usage by up to 30%.
• Zero-Tillage Wheat: Instead of burning stubble and ploughing fields, farmers can directly sow wheat seeds into undisturbed soil. Machines like the Super Seeder and Happy Seeder cut and mix or leave the crop residue on the field, eliminating the need for tillage. This not only saves labor and fuel but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of Non-GM Herbicide-Tolerance Technology

The non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology offers several benefits:

• Environmental Impact: By preventing stubble-burning, this technology helps reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, using less water for rice cultivation conserves precious water resources.
• Cost Efficiency: Farmers save on labor, fuel, and water, leading to lower production costs. The use of herbicides simplifies weed management, further reducing the labor involved.
• Soil Health: Zero-tillage practices help preserve soil structure and fertility, promoting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Practical Implementation

• The implementation involves spraying Imazethapyr and Metribuzin when the crop is around 25 days old. These herbicides selectively target weeds, allowing the resistant crops to thrive without competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

Conclusion

• The non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology represents a win-win for farmers and the environment.
• By adopting direct-seeded rice and zero-tillage wheat, Indian agriculture can move towards more sustainable and cost-effective practices.
• This breakthrough has the potential to transform the ecological footprint of major cereal crops, ensuring a greener and more productive future for farming.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/kill-weeds-rice-wheat-fields-stubble-burning-9493286/

MUST READ ARTICLE

DSR METHOD 

Water-Saving Direct Seeded Rice (DSR)

Direct Seeding of Rice

Parallel Green Revolution in Maize

HERBICIDE-TOLERANT & NON-GM RICE VARIETIES

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. What is the significance of non-GM herbicide-tolerance technology in revolutionizing rice and wheat cultivation practices in India? In what ways does this technology promote sustainability, minimize environmental impact, and improve agricultural productivity?