ABSTRACT
The most widespread recommendation for the improvement of rice cultivation sustainability is a technological switch from hand transplanting rice to direct seeding. In the short term, direct seeding presents social, economic and ecological advantages. It allows cropping intensification, reduces labour costs and avoids the drudgery of hand transplanting; it is consistent with reduced tillage and reduced costs and carbon emissions. Water is used more efficiently and, by avoiding anaerobic conditions, methane emissions are drastically reduced. However, in the longer term, direct-seeded rice fosters the proliferation of weeds. Weeds lower the grain yield and quality, and therefore farmers’ income. Weed control incurs additional cost and has low effectiveness. In addition, weed management methods aid in the long-term economic and ecological costs that impede the sustainability of rice cultivation.
