1. Direct Seeded Submergence tolerant rice to sustain
production in Deep Water Rice (DWR) areas of
Bangladesh
Md. Nazim Uddin Mondal
Former Associate Scientist-Extension Agronomy, International Rice Research Institute
And Deputy Director, Agriculture Extension, Department of Agriculture Extension
Gazipur, Bangladesh. Email: nazim.mondal@gmail.com
Abstract: Deep Water Rice DWR area is decreasing in Bangladesh at an alarming rate. In
the past about 2 million hectare of land was covered by DWR which is now only .411 million
ha. The main reason of decrease is hydrotropic and physiographic change of landmass. The
other reason is decline of profit and shortage of water and labour. Profitable environmentally
friendly technology is to sustain productivity of the area is limited. However, farmer of the
DWR growing areas tried to face the situation and research to find the way out. Farmers of
Lower Atri Basin of Naugoan, Bangladesh successfully transform the cropping pattern to
profitable after long trial and error. Development of submergence tolerant rice varieties and
advancement in Direct Seeding DSR technology open up avenue to replace the DWR area to
profitable and high productive rice zone of Bangladesh for future food security.
Key words: Deep Water Rice, Direct Seeded Rice, Submergence tolerant rice, Farmers
knowledge share, Physiographic change, DSR machines, cropping pattern, sustainable rice
production.
Introduction: Rice is grown on about 10.5 million hectares in Bangladesh which has
remained almost stable over the past three decades. Rice crop are divided into four as Boro
(winter rice), Aus (Spring rice) and Aman ( Autumn rice) Deep Water Rice (DWR or
B.Aman). In 1971 total rice production in Bangladesh was about 10.59 million tons when the
country's population was only about 70.88 millions dominated by DWR. DWR covered with
an area about 2 million hectare in 1979-80 (Taylor B, 2000) against total 10.967 million
hectare rice in 1980-81(IFRI 2012) . However, DWR rice area dropped to only .411 million
hectare in 2013-14 (DAE) against total rice area of 10.5 million hectare due to hydrographic
and physiographic change of the lowland DWR environment in Bangladesh. There must be
potential technologies and areas for new interventions to sustain growth of rice production to
suitable replacement to face hydrographic change of DWR growing areas. However, this
paper looks the potentiality to introduce Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) technology combine with
submergence tolerant rice varieties to the areas covered by DWR.
Deep Water Rice (DWR) in Bangladesh: In history Bangladesh has the largest area in the
world devoted to B.Aman or Deep Water Rice. Estimated in the literature vary from 3000000
ha to 2000000 ha ( Chowdhary and Zaman 1970). Official statistic (BBS 1976) cite an
average 1.9 million hector for 1969-70 and 1.7 million hector for 1979-80 the latest
published. The precise area probably was never very accurately known - the figure was given
as "nearly 5 million acres" (in excess of 2 million hectares). (Taylor B 2000 David H.C.
1992) (Map in appendix 1 shows the DWR area of Bangladesh)
Environment for Deep Water Aman or B.Aman: B.Aman rice grow well in Medium
Lowland and Low land Medium which is normally flooded between 90cm. and 180cm.
depth and low land is normally flood between 180cm. and 275 cm. depth during the monsoon
season. The area spreads over major parts of Comilla, Brahmanbaria, Chandpur, Gopalgonj

2. district and parts of Lahskmipur, Noakhali, Serajganj, Natore and Naogaon district, northern
parts of Khulna and Bagherhat district, minor of Jessore, Kishorganj and Habiganj district.
This rice also grow in Very Low Land consists of haors, bills, canals and other low lying
areas which looks like large lakes during rainy season. Depth of water may rise as high as 30
feet. In winter, waters dry up except in the Centre. Most of the haors and bills lie in Sylhet
division and in Kisoreganj and Netrokona district.
(Map in appendix ii shows the physiographic of Bangladesh)
Table 1. Area, under B.Aman and total rice in Bangladesh Mha DWR Area
Year 1994-
95
1995-
96
1996-97 1997-
98
1998-
99
2011-12 2012-13 2013-
14
DWR Area .955 .837 .840 .814 .601 .384 .369 .411
Total rice
Area
9.922 9.943 10.178 10.263 10.217 11.528 11.423 11.385
http://www.fao.org/3/a-x6906e.pdf, Dae.Portal.gov.bd
In 2013-114 the area under B.aman is about .411 million hector. One interesting thing is that
some DWR growing districts have no coverage of DWR in Bangladesh.
Table- 2 , In the year 2012-13 DWR area (ha) and production (ton) in Bangladesh.
Name of
Region
Dhaka Comilla Sylhet Chattagong Barisal Rajshali Jessore Total
Area 104375 68524 31845 6907 84620 88718 26011 411000
Production 117835 77360 35952 7798 95532 100159 29365 464000
, Dae.Portal.gov.bd
In Agro-ecological Zone Lower Atrai Basin as an examlpe: This region comprises the
low lying area between the Barind Tract and the Ganges River Floodplain. Smooth low lying
basin land occupies 85105 hectare area located in Naogaon and Natore districts and parts of
Rajshahi, Bogra and Sirajgonj districts. This area is very suitable for DWR cultivation. The
scenario of DWR cultivation is;
Table: 3, Comparison of DWR cultivation between 1980-81 and 2014-15
Name of District Area under B.aman in 1980-81 Area Under in 2014-15
Naugoan 24140 hectare 3570 ha
Natore 55270 ha 22820ha
Reasons of decreasing DWR area:
1. Introduction of HYV Boro rice and availability of irrigation facility.
2. Longer life cycle of DWR causing delay of Boro plantation.
3. Marginal or no profit to grow DWR crop to due high labor cost.
4. Decreasing water level or shortage of available water for proper growth of rice plant.
5. Shortage of water to suppress weed infestation in the rice field
6. Expansion of profitable sesbania (Dhancha) cultivation due to raise of fuel wood
price.

3. Current Cropping Pattern in DWR in Bangladesh
SL
No
Cropping Pattern
1 Boro- Deepwater Rice-Fallow
2 Boro - Sesbania
3 Boro-Fallow
4 Boro – Mustard
5 Boro – T.aman-Fallow
6. Boro-T.aman-Mustard
Switch over to other crops replacing DWR in Lower Atri Basin, Naugoan: Study on
transformation of agro-ecosystem in DWR growing areas are not much available. Sharing
knowledge with of an efficient farmer Mr. Prabir Lahiri of village Manikahat, Raninager,
Naugoan, living in Lower Atri Basin reviled these information (been working with for 25
years). According to the farmer, they suffered yield loss due to huge weed infestation because
there was no sufficient water to suppress weed. To face the situation they started to grow
DWR seedling locally called (Laucha Seedlings) in dry seedbed with lower seed rate to grow
stronger and longer. The rice fields were puddle to destroy weed after arrival of water and
these seedlings were transplanted. Another practice was that they transplanted DWR after
harvesting Boro rice before arriving water to the field. They got considerable higher yield due
to these practices. This short of practice continued for 10 years. (1984-94). In the mean time
flood water inundation continuously decreases every year. Some farmer took risk to plant
HYV Aman in their field with a unique way. They transplanted HYV Aman in the field using
minimum or no fertilizer keeping in mind that if crop failed due to inundation they will
supper lower loss. When they thought that the flood risk is over they put fertilizers. This trial
error continued another 4-5 years to start a 3 crop cropping patter excluding DWR from the
crop list 1994-95 to 2000. After 2000 they started to grow crops covering 3 season including
short duration rice like BinaDhan-7 and Mustard. Now they have been growing HYV Aman
with confidence because submergence tolerant varieties, BRRIDhan 51, BRRIDhan 52 and
IR-64 are in his hand since 2009.
Farmer’s statement: Prabir Lahiri, Village: Manikahat, Thana: Raninager, District Naugoan,
Bangladesh
Potential technologies to replace crops in DWR rice environment:
Submergence tolerant rice is the first option of replacement of DWR. Rice varieties have
been developed by Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) and Bangladesh Institute of
Nuclear Agriculture (BINA) to face the challenge of inundation.
1984-1994
Transplant DWR
raising (Laucha)
seedling+Boro
continued
1994-2000
Transformation of
Transplanted DWR
to HYV PTR Aman
+Boro continued
2000-To date
HYV T-Aman+
Mustard+Boro
Added Submergence
tolerant rice in 2009

4. Bangladesh Rice Research Institute BRRI released two varieties, BRRI Dhan51 and BRRI
Dhan52 are capable to yield well if they are under flood water for about 2 weeks.
Charistatic of BRRIDhan 51 and BRRIDhan 52
Name of the
Variety
Season Height Growth
Duration
days
Yield/ton/ha
Normal Submerged
for 2 weeks
BRRI
Dhan51
Aman
Seeding:1-15
July
90 cm 142 days 4.5 ton 4.0 ton
SM 154 days
BRRI
Dhan51
Aman
Seeding:1-15
July
116 145 days 5 ton 4.5 tons
SM 155
Bangladesh Institute for Nuclear Agriculture (BINA): Submergence tolerant Binadhan-
11 and Binadhan-12 realised by BINA to face flood problem.
Characteristics of Binadhan-11: Binadhan-11 has been
released in 2013 as a submergence tolerant early maturing
rice variety for aman season. Medium long grain and
1000-grain weight is 28.1 gm. Duration of this variety is
130-135 days (under 20-25 days submerged condition) and
115-120 days for non submerged condition. In submerged
condition, potential yield is 4.5 t/ha (average 4.2 t/ha).
This variety is capable to produce 5.0-5.4 t/ha in non
submerged condition

5. Characteristics of Binadhan-12: Binadhan-12 is a
submergence tolerant rice variety for aman season. It
takes about 140-145 days (under 20-25 days
submerged condition) and 125-130 days for non
submerged condition. In submerged condition, it
produces grain yield of 3.8-4.0 t/ha (average 3.5 t/ha).
This variety is capable to produce 4.2-4.5 t/ha in non
submerged condition. Leaves remain green till
maturity. Medium short grain and 1000-grain
weight is 16.0 gm.
Introduction of Direct Seeded Rice DSR: Rice in Bangladesh is mostly cultivated under
puddle transplanted wet condition raising seedling. Cultivation of DWR rice in Bangladesh
resembles to before the advent of the Green Revolution and adoption of irrigation, rainfed
rice was often broadcast into moist soil (Pandey and Velasco, 2002, 2005) and yields were
low, variable, and highly prone to weed competition. This is history; however development
of weed control chemicals and machines there has been a lot of changes. In Bangladesh good
rice yield obtained from different DSR practice in different areas of the country. (Islam
AKMS et al 2010, 2013, Mozid M.A. 2010). The anticipated shortages of labor and water,
there will likely be a continuing shift from transplanting to direct seeding and greater reliance
will be placed on direct‐seeded systems for food security (Rao et al 2007). In Bangladesh the
major cause of decreases DWR cultivation decrease profit, shortage of labour suitable rice
variety for introduction. To switch over to transplanted HYV Aman DWR area, high risk due
to high cost, water shortage for puddling to transplant and suitable rice variety are major
causes . Direct seeded rice (DSR) has received much attention because of its low-input
demand and DSR machines have been developed.
Estimated Direc tSeeded Rice (DSR) Area in Differerent Rice Growing Countries
Continent/country Total rice area
(000 ha)
Estimated DSR
area (000 ha)
DSR area (% of
total area)
Asia 134,544 27,186 20.2
Bangladesh 11,000 2090 19
India 42,500 11,900 28
China 29,420 1471–2648 5–9
Pandey, S., and Velasco, L. (2002)
What is to be done: Hydrographic change of Deep Water Aman area observed all over
Bangladesh due to different natural and manmade reasons. Transformation of agro-
ecosystem in Deep Water Rice environment vary in different locations depending ellivation.
A detail study is essential to find useful technologies and practices. However, the example of
Lower Atri Basin may be considered for the transformation. It is possible to go for HYV
Aman with submergence tolerant rice varieties both in transplanted in puddle condition TPR
and direct seeding DSR method.

6. Direct Seeding of rice seed by 4 wheel and 2 wheel tractor
Transplanting of rice depends on availability of water so no irrigation water no TPR.
Considering the locations and water regime DSR should be done putting no basal fertilizer.
The rice seedling should be allowed to grow. Hand weeding or chemical weed control may
be done. Line sown rice seedlings are easy to weeding. Depending on the weather and water
regime when it is assumed that the crop is save fertilizer application should be started to get
good yield. However, the crop may be submerged due to heavy rain or water from upstream
but submergence tolerant character would be the save gourd for shorter inundation.
Transplantation of rice submergence tolerant Aman crop may also be done raising seedlings.
Conclusion: It is evident that Deep Water Rice cultivation is declining every year in
Bangladesh. News item with picture of grazing cattle in DWR rice field instead of crop
harvesting are often found in Bangladesh in the daily news paper noticing us to do
something. The transformation of the DWR rice agro-ecosystem should move towards the
goal to sustain food security to feed our future population. In my consideration, introduction
of mechanized DSR in combination with submergence tolerant rice varieties to the potential
area is necessary.
References:
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Bangladesh ©2000 - Brian Taylor CBiol FIBiol FRES 11, Grazingfield, Wilford,
Nottingham, NG11 7FN, U.K
BBS 1976, Agricultural Production Level in Bangladesh (1947-1972), Bangladesh Bureau of
Statics, Statisttics Division, University Planning, Dacca. www.bbs.gov.bd
Chowdhary, M.A. and S.M.H Zaman 1970, Deep Water Rice of East Pakistan 13th
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8. Appendix-1
This map shows the areas recognized as used for deepwater rice cultivation in around the
mid-1980s.

9. Appendix-2
Physiography of Bangladesh
The End
.