In recent decades, the introduction of fertilizer- and irrigation-responsive high-yielding dwarf varieties of rice have resulted in more widespread and intensive use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. The indiscriminate use of suchchemical agents - which led to a wide array of problems such as human and animal health hazards, degradation of soils, pollution of underground waters, resurgence of weeds and insect pests, mortality of non-target and beneficial organisms, insects, andbirds, etc. - has forced mankind to consider safer ways of crop production and protection. Many such approaches are, in fact, practices that our ancestors had employed for centuries. This paper reviews available information on the traditional practices used in India for seed treatment, soil fertility, and disease and insect pest control. Some of the old practices have been scientifically tested and adopted by farmers, such as the use of rice husk ash, shifting of transplantation dates for the control ofblast and stem borers, double transplantation to tide over bad periods, and uprooting of nursery seedlings in standing water to check bakanae. There is a great need to more extensively identify and verify area-specific indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) practices, in view of their recommendation and promotion among farmers in all paddy-growing areas of India.
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