Potential Contributions of the Potential Contributions of the System of Rice Intensification System of Rice Intensification

(SRI)(SRI) for Increasing Production for Increasing Production with Pro-Poor Orientation and with Pro-Poor Orientation and

Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits

Norman UphoffNorman UphoffCornell International Institute for Food, Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD)Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD)

in association with Sathguru Management Consultantsin association with Sathguru Management Consultants

For presentations in Chennai, Coimbatoir, Hyderabad For presentations in Chennai, Coimbatoir, Hyderabad and New Delhi, India, May 9-14, 2002and New Delhi, India, May 9-14, 2002

The The System of Rice System of Rice IntensificationIntensification (SRI) developed (SRI) developed in Madagascar almost 2 decades in Madagascar almost 2 decades ago offers opportunities to:ago offers opportunities to:

Increase production and reduce Increase production and reduce poverty,poverty,

Raise factor productivity, in ways that Raise factor productivity, in ways that areare

Accessible to the poor, while beingAccessible to the poor, while being Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly..

Advantages of SRIAdvantages of SRI : : SRISRI can achieve higher yields of rice — even can achieve higher yields of rice — even

double or triple — averaging about 8 t/ha, double or triple — averaging about 8 t/ha, which would be which would be double the present world double the present world averageaverage,, without requiring new technology or without requiring new technology or inputs. inputs.

SRI SRI capitalizes on capitalizes on potentialspotentials that have long that have long existed in the rice plant's genetic endowment existed in the rice plant's genetic endowment -- but that -- but that have been have been inhibitedinhibited by the standard by the standard practices for growing irrigated rice, managing practices for growing irrigated rice, managing plants, soil, water and nutrients in new ways. plants, soil, water and nutrients in new ways. It gives a different It gives a different phenotypephenotype from rice from rice genome.genome.

SRI is SRI is attractiveattractive because it because it cancanraise the raise the productivityproductivity of:of:

LandLand LaborLabor CapitalCapital WaterWater

While reducing the While reducing the costs of costs of productionproduction

SRISRI changes the wayschanges the ways that that farmers have grown irrigated rice farmers have grown irrigated rice for centuries, even millennia.for centuries, even millennia.

SRISRI is is more accessible to the poormore accessible to the poor because it does because it does not depend on external inputs -- not depend on external inputs -- no new seeds or use no new seeds or use of agrochemicalsof agrochemicals..

SRISRI can can reduce the demand for waterreduce the demand for water because it because it requires requires only about half as much wateronly about half as much water as when rice as when rice is grown in continuously flooded fields.is grown in continuously flooded fields.

SRISRI can contribute to can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas reducing greenhouse gas emissionsemissions because growing rice in continuously because growing rice in continuously flooded paddies accounts for about 25% of the annual flooded paddies accounts for about 25% of the annual total emissions of total emissions of methanemethane (CH(CH44) into the ) into the atmosphere.atmosphere.

SRI SRI is is counterintuitivecounterintuitive,, because it can produce because it can produce more more

from lessfrom less..Higher yieldsHigher yields result from: result from:

Transplanting Transplanting younger, smaller younger, smaller seedlingsseedlings

Fewer plantsFewer plants per hill & per m per hill & per m22

Using Using less waterless water per season per season

Less or no need for purchased inputsLess or no need for purchased inputs

There is There is mounting evidencemounting evidence from a from a growing number of countries that SRI growing number of countries that SRI does indeed have the does indeed have the potentialspotentials that that have been reported from Madagascar have been reported from Madagascar

Nobody is asked to accept and utilize Nobody is asked to accept and utilize SRI based on our reports. We only SRI based on our reports. We only would like it be to would like it be to tried and evaluated tried and evaluated by by farmers and researchersfarmers and researchers. .

The main The main objectionsobjections against against this methodology have been this methodology have been that:that: SRI is SRI is too good to be truetoo good to be true SRI is SRI is labor-intensivelabor-intensive It requires It requires good water managementgood water management

* Being “too good” only means that SRI* Being “too good” only means that SRI

should be subjected to should be subjected to careful scrutiny.careful scrutiny.

* SRI may turn out to be * SRI may turn out to be labor-savinglabor-saving..

* Water control is * Water control is definitely necessary.definitely necessary.

SRI is being advanced by a SRI is being advanced by a broad coalition of participantsbroad coalition of participants

NGOs NGOs research institutionsresearch institutions universities universities government agencies government agencies farmer groups farmer groups concerned individuals, and also nowconcerned individuals, and also now private sector organizationsprivate sector organizations

The methodology raises many The methodology raises many interesting questions that invite interesting questions that invite scientific study. But scientific study. But we have we have been seeing remarkable been seeing remarkable results from SRI methods in results from SRI methods in farmers' handsfarmers' hands..

Farmers often are getting Farmers often are getting better better resultsresults from SRI methods than from SRI methods than researchers researchers do in their on-station trials. do in their on-station trials.

In In MadagascarMadagascar, where yields average 2-2.5 , where yields average 2-2.5 t/ha, 100s of farmers in 2 programs (USAID t/ha, 100s of farmers in 2 programs (USAID and French) have averaged and French) have averaged 8-9 t/ha8-9 t/ha over a over a 5-year period.5-year period.

In In ChinaChina, the first , the first SRI trials gave SRI trials gave 9.2 9.2 to 10.5 t/hato 10.5 t/ha. . Although these Although these levels can be levels can be achieved in China achieved in China with the best with the best varieties and best varieties and best techniques, these techniques, these take take twice as much twice as much waterwater as applied as applied with SRI. with SRI.

SRI method used SRI method used with with hybrid rice hybrid rice varietiesvarieties has given has given yields in the yields in the 12-15 12-15 t/hat/ha range. range.

InIn IndonesiaIndonesia, after three years of , after three years of evaluation, evaluation, SRI methods are now being incorporated SRI methods are now being incorporated into the Government of Indonesia's new into the Government of Indonesia's new Integrated Crop ManagementIntegrated Crop Management strategy along strategy along with IPM methods.with IPM methods. The first SRI yields at Sukamandi station wereThe first SRI yields at Sukamandi station were

6.3 t/ha6.3 t/ha, followed by , followed by 9.5 t/ha9.5 t/ha the next season. the next season.

Farmers in the IPM farmer field school at Ciamis Farmers in the IPM farmer field school at Ciamis got got 6.7-7 t/ha6.7-7 t/ha with SRI compared with 4.5 t/ha with SRI compared with 4.5 t/ha using their previous best methods.using their previous best methods.

In In CambodiaCambodia andand MyanmarMyanmar, where , where conventional yields are even lower than in conventional yields are even lower than in Madagascar (2 t/ha), farmers using SRI have Madagascar (2 t/ha), farmers using SRI have averaged averaged 5 t/ha5 t/ha or more with NGO guidance. or more with NGO guidance.

In the In the PhilippinesPhilippines, farmers working with , farmers working with several NGOs have gotten increased yields several NGOs have gotten increased yields with SRI.with SRI.

Farmers with the Farmers with the Consortium for Development Consortium for Development of Southern Mindanao Cooperativesof Southern Mindanao Cooperatives (CDSMC) (CDSMC) averaged averaged 4.95 t/ha4.95 t/ha the first year compared with the first year compared with their usual 2 t/ha yield.their usual 2 t/ha yield.

Broader Initiatives for Negros DevelopmentBroader Initiatives for Negros Development (BIND) got (BIND) got 7.4 t/ha7.4 t/ha compared with 5.6 t/ha compared with 5.6 t/ha using the best modern methods.using the best modern methods.

A staff member of the Dept. of Agriculture’s A staff member of the Dept. of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training InstituteAgricultural Training Institute got got 7.6 t/ha7.6 t/ha his his first time using SRI compared to 3.6 t/ha before.first time using SRI compared to 3.6 t/ha before.

In In Sri LankaSri Lanka, where the average yield is , where the average yield is about 3.5 t/ha, farmers have averaged about 3.5 t/ha, farmers have averaged 8 8 t/hat/ha with SRI, with a few farmers achieving with SRI, with a few farmers achieving much higher yields.much higher yields.

In In BangladeshBangladesh, also , also with 3.5 t/ha average with 3.5 t/ha average yields, stagnant for yields, stagnant for some years, farmers some years, farmers working with CARE and working with CARE and and the Dept. of and the Dept. of Agricultural Extension Agricultural Extension attained attained 6.5 to 7.5 t/ha6.5 to 7.5 t/ha with SRI techniques.with SRI techniques.

In In The GambiaThe Gambia, , 10 farmers split 10 farmers split their fields to their fields to compare the results compare the results using SRI and using SRI and conventional conventional methods. methods.

SRI gave them SRI gave them yields of yields of 7.4 t/ha7.4 t/ha compared to 2.5 compared to 2.5 t/ha with their usual t/ha with their usual practices.practices.

In In Sierra LeoneSierra Leone, 8 groups of 20 farmers , 8 groups of 20 farmers each averaged each averaged 5.3 t/ha5.3 t/ha using SRI methods using SRI methods compared with their usual yield of 2.5 t/ha.compared with their usual yield of 2.5 t/ha.

In In LaosLaos, farmers working with Oxfam/CAA , farmers working with Oxfam/CAA averaged only averaged only 3.6 t/ha3.6 t/ha their first season their first season with SRI, compared to 3.0 t/ha usual yield with SRI, compared to 3.0 t/ha usual yield – –

But their But their harvest:seed ratioharvest:seed ratio was increased was increased from from 43:1 to 207:143:1 to 207:1, which pleased the , which pleased the farmers.farmers.

IIn n CubaCuba,, the first two reported yields the first two reported yields were both over were both over 9 t/ha9 t/ha, working from a , working from a simple printed description of the SRI simple printed description of the SRI methodology.methodology. Average yields so far are Average yields so far are 7.8 t/ha7.8 t/ha

compared with 5.1 t/ha for conventional compared with 5.1 t/ha for conventional methods in same circumstances.methods in same circumstances.

In In IndiaIndia,, trials at TNAU for modified SRI trials at TNAU for modified SRI produced produced 5.1-7.6 t/ha5.1-7.6 t/ha -- not higher than -- not higher than control plots but with control plots but with 56% water saving56% water saving. .

In In Sri Lanka and MadagascarSri Lanka and Madagascar, some , some farmers have achieved yields in the range of farmers have achieved yields in the range of 15 to 20 t/ha15 to 20 t/ha once they have built up the once they have built up the quality of their soils. The maximum quality of their soils. The maximum potentials of SRI methodology remain to be potentials of SRI methodology remain to be realized.realized.

SRI is considered as a SRI is considered as a methodologymethodology

rather than as a rather than as a technologytechnology because because

it is it is not a fixed set of practicesnot a fixed set of practices prescribed for farmers to adopt as prescribed for farmers to adopt as instructed. instructed.

SRI is based on SRI is based on a set of insights and a set of insights and principlesprinciples about how to help rice about how to help rice plants plants achieve more productive achieve more productive phenotypesphenotypes by realizing genetic by realizing genetic potentials in the plant. potentials in the plant.

SRI is thus a set of SRI is thus a set of PRINCIPLESPRINCIPLES

for improving plant performancefor improving plant performance

These can be summarized as:These can be summarized as:

(a) RICE PERFORMS BETTER WITH:(a) RICE PERFORMS BETTER WITH: Wide spacingWide spacing (for canopy and roots)(for canopy and roots) andand Careful transplantingCareful transplanting (avoiding trauma) (avoiding trauma)

ofof Young seedlingsYoung seedlings (better growth potential)(better growth potential)

(b) RICE PERFORMS BETTER IN (b) RICE PERFORMS BETTER IN SOILSOIL that is:that is:

Well-aeratedWell-aerated during the vegetative during the vegetative growth period, through:growth period, through:* careful water management, and* mechanical weeding (rotating hoe).

Enriched microbiologically through * compost (SOM), and different* plant/soil/water/nutritient management.

SRI SRI PRACTICESPRACTICES – to be varied – to be varied according to local conditions are:according to local conditions are:

Early transplantingEarly transplanting -- < 15 days, best -- < 15 days, best between 8-12 days, only two tiny leavesbetween 8-12 days, only two tiny leaves

Careful transplantingCareful transplanting – in 15-30 – in 15-30 minutes, root laid into soil 1-2 cm, root minutes, root laid into soil 1-2 cm, root shape L > Jshape L > J

Wide spacingWide spacing – – single plantssingle plants per hill, in per hill, in square patternsquare pattern,, 25x25cm, up to 25x25cm, up to 50x50cm50x50cm

SRI PracticesSRI Practices (continued) (continued) Well-drained soilWell-drained soil during vegetative growth during vegetative growth

phase – phase – no continuously standing waterno continuously standing water – –with daily application of small amount, or with daily application of small amount, or alternate wetting/drying; after flowering, alternate wetting/drying; after flowering, thin layer of water (1-2 cm), then drainthin layer of water (1-2 cm), then drain

Early and frequent weedingEarly and frequent weeding, 10-12 DAT, up , 10-12 DAT, up to 4 times, with a “rotating hoe”to 4 times, with a “rotating hoe”

Nutrient amendmentsNutrient amendments are recommended – are recommended – compostcompost preferred over chemical fertilizer, preferred over chemical fertilizer, best applied to preceding cropbest applied to preceding crop

Results of SRI PracticesResults of SRI PracticesSynergistic Synergistic root developmentroot development and and tilleringtillering, ,

with greater with greater grain filling --grain filling -- possibly greater possibly greater pest and disease resistancepest and disease resistance

Phenotypic changesPhenotypic changes attributable to SRI practices:attributable to SRI practices: 30 tillers/plant -- up to 50-80, even more30 tillers/plant -- up to 50-80, even more Larger root systems -- Larger root systems -- 28 kg28 kg/clump root pulling /clump root pulling

resistance for resistance for 33 plantsplants grown conventionally grown conventionally vs. vs. 53 kg53 kg/plant for /plant for a singlea single SRI plant SRI plant

Positive correlationPositive correlation between tillers/plant and between tillers/plant and grains/panicle – large panicles, no lodginggrains/panicle – large panicles, no lodging

Rice is not an aquatic plantRice is not an aquatic plant ““Rice Rice thrivesthrives on land that is water- on land that is water-

saturated or even submerged during saturated or even submerged during part or all of its growth cycle.” (p. 43)part or all of its growth cycle.” (p. 43)

““Most varieties maintain Most varieties maintain better growthbetter growth and and produce higher grain yieldsproduce higher grain yields when when grown in flooded soil than when grown grown in flooded soil than when grown in unflooded soil.” (pp. 297-298).in unflooded soil.” (pp. 297-298).

S. K. DeDatta, S. K. DeDatta, The Principles and The Principles and Practices of Rice ProductionPractices of Rice Production, J. W. Wiley, , J. W. Wiley, NY, 1981. NY, 1981.

In hypoxic soil, rice roots remain close to In hypoxic soil, rice roots remain close to thethe surface. About surface. About ¾ are in top 6 cm¾ are in top 6 cm at 29 at 29 DATDAT (Kirk and Solivas 1997) (Kirk and Solivas 1997) Rice plant roots grown in flooded soil form air Rice plant roots grown in flooded soil form air

pockets (pockets (aerenchymaaerenchyma) through ) through disintegration disintegration of 30-40% of the cortexof 30-40% of the cortex (Kirk and Bouldin (Kirk and Bouldin 1991)1991)

“…“…disintegration of the cortex must surely disintegration of the cortex must surely impair the ability of the older parts of the root impair the ability of the older parts of the root to take up nutrients and convey them to the to take up nutrients and convey them to the stele” (ibid)stele” (ibid)

In unflooded soil, In unflooded soil, neitherneither irrigated nor upland irrigated nor upland varieties form aerenchyma (Puard et al. 1989) varieties form aerenchyma (Puard et al. 1989)

Rice root cross-sections for Rice root cross-sections for upland and irrigated varietiesupland and irrigated varieties

(Puard et al. 1989)(Puard et al. 1989)

AbstractAbstract

Nature and growth pattern of rice root system under Nature and growth pattern of rice root system under submerged and unsaturated conditionssubmerged and unsaturated conditions

S. Kar, S. B. Varade, T. K. Subramanyam, and B. P. Ghildyal, S. Kar, S. B. Varade, T. K. Subramanyam, and B. P. Ghildyal, Il RisoIl Riso (Italy), 1974, 23:2, 173-179 (Italy), 1974, 23:2, 173-179

Plants of the rice cultivar Taichung (Native) were grown in pots Plants of the rice cultivar Taichung (Native) were grown in pots of sandy loam under 2 water regimes in an attempt to of sandy loam under 2 water regimes in an attempt to identify critical root-growth phases. Observations on root identify critical root-growth phases. Observations on root number, length, volume and dry weight were made at early number, length, volume and dry weight were made at early tillering, active tillering, maximum tillering, and reproductive tillering, active tillering, maximum tillering, and reproductive stages.stages.

Rice root degenerationRice root degeneration, , normally unique to submerged normally unique to submerged conditionsconditions, increased with advance in plant growth. At , increased with advance in plant growth. At flowering, flowering, 78%78%

had degeneratedhad degenerated. During the first phase under flooding, and . During the first phase under flooding, and throughout the growth period under unsaturated conditions, throughout the growth period under unsaturated conditions, roots rarely degeneratedroots rarely degenerated..

Explanation in terms of Explanation in terms of phyllochronsphyllochrons

Periodic Periodic interval of plant growthinterval of plant growth common to common to all all gramineaegramineae species -- in rice, from ~5-8 species -- in rice, from ~5-8 daysdays

Period when plant produces one or more Period when plant produces one or more phytomersphytomers (unit of tiller, leave and root) (unit of tiller, leave and root) from its apical meristemfrom its apical meristem

Phyllochrons represent Phyllochrons represent biological rather than biological rather than calendar time --calendar time -- lengthened or shortened by a lengthened or shortened by a number of factors that can number of factors that can slowslow or or speed upspeed up the plant’s the plant’s “biological clock”“biological clock”

Speeding up the biological Speeding up the biological clockclock

Higher Higher temperaturetemperature vs. more vs. more coldcold Wider Wider spacingspacing vs. root/canopy vs. root/canopy crowdingcrowding More More insolationinsolation vs. vs. shadeshade Ample Ample nutrientsnutrients in soil vs. in soil vs. nutrient nutrient

deficitsdeficits Soil Soil penetrabilitypenetrability vs. soil vs. soil compactioncompaction Sufficient Sufficient moisturemoisture vs. vs. droughtdrought conditions conditions Sufficient Sufficient oxygenoxygen vs. vs. hypoxic soilhypoxic soil

Good News for Plant Good News for Plant BreedersBreeders

SRI methods appear to enhance the SRI methods appear to enhance the yield of yield of all varietiesall varieties, traditional and , traditional and improvedimproved

Best resultsBest results with SRI come with with SRI come with HYVsHYVs::

* IR-15 (Madagascar)* IR-15 (Madagascar) 12 t/ha 12 t/ha

* IR-46 (Madagascar)* IR-46 (Madagascar) 13.5 t/ha 13.5 t/ha

* BG-358 (Sri Lanka)* BG-358 (Sri Lanka) 17 t/ha 17 t/ha

* Taichung-16 (Madagascar) 21 t/ha* Taichung-16 (Madagascar) 21 t/ha

Evidence of Evidence of SynergySynergy

Factorial trials by Faculty of Agriculture Factorial trials by Faculty of Agriculture students at Univ. of Antananarivo, under students at Univ. of Antananarivo, under contrasting agroecological conditionscontrasting agroecological conditions::

West coast near Morondava, 2000, West coast near Morondava, 2000,

hot, dry climate, poor sandy soils, hot, dry climate, poor sandy soils, ~100m ~100m

High plateau at Anjomakely, 2001, High plateau at Anjomakely, 2001,

temperate climate, better soils, temperate climate, better soils, ~1200m~1200m

Six FactorsSix Factors

Variety:Variety: HYV (2798) vs. local (riz rouge) HYV (2798) vs. local (riz rouge) oror Soil quality:Soil quality: clay (better) vs. loam (poor) clay (better) vs. loam (poor)

Water mgmt:Water mgmt: aeratedaerated vs. saturated soil vs. saturated soil Seedling age:Seedling age: 8 days8 days vs. 16 or 20 days vs. 16 or 20 days Plants per hill:Plants per hill: 1/hill1/hill vs. 3/hill vs. 3/hill Fertilization:Fertilization: compostcompost vs. NPK vs. none vs. NPK vs. none Spacing:Spacing: 25x25cm vs. 30x30cm (ND) 25x25cm vs. 30x30cm (ND)

6 replications:6 replications: 2.5x2.5m plots (N=288, 240) 2.5x2.5m plots (N=288, 240)

Value of Soil Aeration?Value of Soil Aeration?

Data from 76 farmers at Ambatovaky, Data from 76 farmers at Ambatovaky, 1997-98 season1997-98 season

Yield differentials analyzed according to Yield differentials analyzed according to number of weedingsnumber of weedings with “rotary hoe” with “rotary hoe”

Saw similar effect of weeding in data from Saw similar effect of weeding in data from thesis by Frederic Bonlieu (U Anjers)thesis by Frederic Bonlieu (U Anjers)

1 weeding = 4.2 t/ha, 2 weedings – 4.4 1 weeding = 4.2 t/ha, 2 weedings – 4.4 t/hat/ha

3 weedings = 5.1 t/ha ($20 yields $210?)3 weedings = 5.1 t/ha ($20 yields $210?)

Spread of SRI?Spread of SRI?

Slow spread in Madagascar, picking upSlow spread in Madagascar, picking up French project to improve small-scale French project to improve small-scale

irrigation schemes on high plateau around irrigation schemes on high plateau around Antsirabe and Ambositra – five yearsAntsirabe and Ambositra – five years

Farmers could choose rice methods: Farmers could choose rice methods: peasant practicespeasant practices; ; SRASRA = recommended = recommended system, higher inputs; or system, higher inputs; or SRISRI

Concluding Concerns from Concluding Concerns from SRISRI

Importance of Importance of ROOTSROOTSDeDatta book on rice: in chapter on the DeDatta book on rice: in chapter on the “morphology, growth and development of the “morphology, growth and development of the rice plant”rice plant” only only 88 out of 390out of 390 lines of text on lines of text on roots; and in 16-page roots; and in 16-page indexindex with 1100 entries, with 1100 entries,

not even not even oneone entry! entry! on roots – “roots a on roots – “roots a waste”?waste”?

Importance of Importance of SOIL MICROBIOLOGYSOIL MICROBIOLOGY-- presently ignoring exudates, mycorrhizae, -- presently ignoring exudates, mycorrhizae, etc.etc.

Comparative Yields with SRIComparative Yields with SRI B’desh 6.5-7.5 t/haB’desh 6.5-7.5 t/ha Cambodia 5-6 t/haCambodia 5-6 t/ha China 9.2-10.5 t/haChina 9.2-10.5 t/ha Cuba 7.8 t/haCuba 7.8 t/ha Gambia 7.4 t/haGambia 7.4 t/ha Indonesia 7.0 t/haIndonesia 7.0 t/ha LaosLaos 3.6 t/ha 3.6 t/ha Madagascar 8-9 t/haMadagascar 8-9 t/ha up to 15-20 t/haup to 15-20 t/ha Myanmar 5.5 t/haMyanmar 5.5 t/ha

4 t/ha comparison4 t/ha comparison 2-3 t/ha average yld2-3 t/ha average yld 50% water saving50% water saving 5.1 t/ha comparison5.1 t/ha comparison 2.5 t/ha (same farms)2.5 t/ha (same farms) 5.0 t/ha comparison5.0 t/ha comparison 3.0 t/ha, 207:1 H/S3.0 t/ha, 207:1 H/S 2.5 t/ha farmer yield2.5 t/ha farmer yield

3.8 t/ha modern yield3.8 t/ha modern yield 2-2.5 t/ha comparison2-2.5 t/ha comparison

More Comparative YieldsMore Comparative Yields

Philippines 6.3 t/haPhilippines 6.3 t/ha Sierra Leone 5.3 t/haSierra Leone 5.3 t/ha Sri Lanka 6.3 t/haSri Lanka 6.3 t/ha yields up to 17 t/hayields up to 17 t/ha

Effects Not Seen Yet:Effects Not Seen Yet: India India NepalNepal Thailand Thailand

3.7 t/ha comparison3.7 t/ha comparison 2.5 t/ha (N = 160)2.5 t/ha (N = 160) 2.9 t/ha comparison2.9 t/ha comparison

Water management Water management problems commonproblems common