Screening tool for rice seed germination, drought tolerance traits

Farmers around the world are considering dry direct seeding of rice, which not only reduces labor and time involved in land preparation, but also sustains rice production in rainfed conditions. Rice producers in the U.S. Midsouth practice dry drill seeded rice seed where the permanent flood is set at the fourth-leaf stage. However, one of the primary concern is that the dry soil conditions, sometimes, may result in non-uniform seed germination and poor stand establishment.