0506 some new ideas and opportunities offered by the system of rice intensification (sri) developed...
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Presented by: Norman UphoffPresented at: China Agriculture University, BeijingTRANSCRIPT
Some New Ideas and Opportunities Offered by the
System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Developed in Madagascar
COHD, China Agriculture University
Beijing, August 4, 2005
Norman Uphoff, CIIFAD
Cornell University, USA
SRI Is the Most Remarkable Innovation I Have Seen in 40 Years
• SRI has been dismissed as “too good to be true” but with logical arguments only
• SRI has been passing the empirical tests• There has been considerable resistance within
scientific community, but this is now changing• I can understand any skepticism because it
took me 3 years to accept SRI as valid• I am not trying to ‘sell’ SRI: will share my ideas
and experience, only to ‘open door’
Basic Message: For Centuries, Even Millennia, We Have Been ABUSING, even MISTREATING the Rice Plant
• We have FLOODED it – drowning its roots• We have CROWDED it – inhibiting the
growth potential of its canopy and roots• Now we use fertilizers and agrochemicals
that adversely affect the soil biota which provide many services: P solubilization, biological N fixation, protection against diseases and abiotic stresses, etc.
SRI Achieves Results by Changing Standard Cultural Practices
• SRI alters the E in the GxE equation -- by improving the growing environment for rice with innovative management practices for:– Plants: young single seedlings, widely spaced– Soil and water: no continuous flooding, with active
soil aeration through ‘rotating hoe’– Nutrients: while fertilizer is okay, compost from
any decomposed biomass works better
• These practices give us more productive PHENOTYPES from any rice GENOTYPE
Cuba – Both plants are the same age(52 DAP) and same variety (VN 2084)
Ms. Im Sarim, Cambodia,with rice plant grownfrom a single seed,using SRI methods
and traditional variety-- yield of 6.72 t/ha
Roots of a single rice plant (MTU 1071) grown at Agricultural Research Station
Maruteru, AP, India, kharif 2003
India: Single SRI plant – Swarna cv. – normally ‘shy-tillering’
Plant Physical Structure and Light Intensity Distribution
at Heading Stage (Tao et al., CNRRI, 2002)
2
3
4
5
6
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8
6-J ul 16-J ul 26-J ul 5-Aug 15-Aug 25-Aug
Date
LAI
SRICK
Change of Leaf Area Index (LAI) during growth cycle (Zheng et al., SAAS, 2003)
Roots’ Oxygenation Ability with SRI vs. Conventionally-Grown Rice
Research done at Nanjing Agricultural University,Wuxianggeng 9 variety (Wang et al. 2002)
0
100
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400
500
N-n n-2 Heading Maturity
Development stage
Ox
yg
en
ati
on
ab
ilit
y o
f α -
NA
(ug
/h.g
DW
)
W
S
SRI Results are Remarkable -- butThey Have Been Replicated Widely
• Yield increases – 50-100% or more• No need to change varieties – all respond• No need for mineral fertilizers – these are
beneficial, but compost gives better yield• Little or no need for agrochemicals -- SRI
plants more resistant to pests/diseases• Reduction in seed requirement by 80+%• Reduction in water requirement by 25-50%• More labor is required initially -- but over
time, SRI can even become labor-saving
Additional Benefits• SRI is more accessible to the poor because it
has lower capital requirements• SRI increases farmers’ profits because the costs
of production are lower -- by about 20%• SRI reduces farmers’ risks because SRI plants
are more resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses• Shorter maturation cycle -- by up to 15 days• Higher milling outturn from paddy ~ +15%• Environmental benefits from reduced water,
fertilizer, and agrochemicals – get better water and soil quality, and fewer health hazards
• May also have some nutritional benefits?
Rice fields in Sri Lanka: same variety, same irrigation system, and same drought : conventional methods (left), SRI (right)
Rice in Tamil Nadu, India: normal crop is seen in foreground; SRI crop, behind it, resists lodging
Rice in Vietnam: normal methods on right; SRI with close spacing in middle; SRI with recommended spacing on left
MEASURED DIFFERENCES IN GRAIN QUALITY Characteristic SRI (3 spacings) Conventional Diff.
Chalky kernels (%)
23.62 - 32.47 39.89 - 41.07 - 30.7
General chalkiness (%)
1.02 - 4.04 6.74 - 7.17 - 65.7
Milled rice outturn (%)
53.58 - 54.41 41.54 - 51.46 + 16.1
Head milled rice (%)
41.81 - 50.84 38.87 - 39.99 + 17.5
Paper by Prof. Ma Jun, Sichuan Agricultural University,presented at 10th conference on Theory and Practice for
High-Quality, High-Yielding Rice in China, Haerbin, 8/2004
Too Good to Be True?• This reasoning has been a problem
for getting SRI accepted, even tried• But it should be a matter of empirical
evaluation; then finding explanations• SRI creates a new logic for rice
production – indeed, a new paradigm – different from the Green Revolution
• SRI concepts and practices are being extrapolated now to other crops
Different Paradigms of Production • The GREEN REVOLUTION paradigm:
(a) Changed the genetic potential of plants, and
(b) Increased the use of external inputs -- more water, fertilizer, insecticides, etc.
• SRI changes certain management practices for plants, soil, water and nutrients, so as to:
(A) Promote the growth of root systems, and
(B) Increase the abundance and diversity of
soil organisms, and also (C) Reduce water use and costs of production
SRI RAGI (FINGER MILLET), Rabi 2004-0560 days after sowing – Varieties 762 and 708
VR 762
VR 708
10 15 21*
*Age at which seedlings weretransplanted from nursery
Results of trials beingbeing done by ANGRAU
Guli Vidhana Method (Millet)• Yields in Karnataka State, India:
500-600 kg/ha, maximum 1,500 kg/ha
• Guli Vidhana Method: average yield 1,800-2,000 kg/ha, up to 2,500 kg/ha
• Planting in square pattern (18 x 18 in.)
• Two seedlings per hill
• ‘Abuse’ young millet plants at 25 days – induce profuse tillering and root growth, with tripled yield (farmer innovation)
Sugar Cane Adaptation• Andhra Pradesh State, India: Farmer
adaptation based on SRI experience
• Instead of planting 8-12” sets in rows 3’ apart, ‘incubate’ 3” sets (with one bud) in plastic bags and compost, in warm, humid environment for 45 days; plant 1’ apart in rows 5-6’ apart; reduce material by 85%
• Save cost of 3 irrigations and 1 herbicide
• Yield of 100 tons/acre instead of 30 tons
Other Adaptations• UPLAND RICE – in Philippines, got
average of 7.2 t/ha unirrigated rice; in Madagascar have reached 4 t/ha
• COTTON starting, VEGETABLES too?
• Do whatever is necessary to promote ROOT GROWTH and also increase the abundance/diversity of SOIL BIOTA – often these are the same practices
• Induce different PHENOTYPICAL DEVELOPMENT – new strategy?
What Are Origins of SRI?It was developed in Madagascar 20 years ago by Pere Henri de Laulanié, S.J., who spent 34 years working with farmers, observing, experimenting, and having also some ‘good luck’• He was educated at Institut Nationale de Agriculture in Paris (Paris-Grignon), 1937-39, before attending Jesuit seminary, 1941-45; to Madagascar in 1961
– SRI practices were synthesized in 1983-84– Association Tefy Saina was established in 1990– CIIFAD started working with ATS in 1994
• SRI was first validated outside Madagascar in China and Indonesia, in 1999-2000• Now it has been validated in 22 countries and it is spreading – GOI recommendation 5/29/05
Fr. de Laulaniémaking field visit
Sebastien Rafaralahy andJustin Rabenandrasana,Association Tefy Saina
Phenotypical Differences Are Now Well-Documented
• Most of the scientific work on SRI has been done by Chinese scientists
• But still not enough work done on the associated soil microbiological factors
• SRI is not a technology -- not a fixed set of techniques – but rather a set of insights and associated practices that (a) enlarge roots, and (b) promote soil biota (micro and macro)
AZOSPIRILLUM POPULATIONS, TILLERING AND RICE YIELDS ASSOCIATED WITH DIFFERENT CULTIVATION PRACTICES
AND NUTRIENT AMENDMENTS Results of replicated trials at the Centre for Diffusion of Agricultural Intensification,
Beforona, Madagascar, 2000 (Raobelison, 2000)
Azospir. in CLAY SOIL Roots
(103/mg) Tillers/
plant Yield (t/ha)
Traditional cultivation,
no amendments 65 17 1.8
SRI cultivation, with no amendments
1,100 45 6.1
SRI cultivation, with NPK amendments
450 68 9.0
SRI cultivation, with compost
1,400 78 10.5
LOAM SOIL SRI cultivation, with no amendments
75 32 2.1
SRI cultivation,
with compost 2,000 47 6.6
Basic SRI Practices -- starting points• Transplant young seedlings (8-12 d old, and <15 d), quickly (15-30 min) and carefully• Plant with wider spacing than at present:
– 1 seedling per hill, or at most 2 seedlings– In square pattern, starting at 25x25 cm, but often get better results at even wider spacing as soil improves biologically, up to 50x50 cm
• Practice water control, keeping soil moist but not continuously saturated• Control weeds (and aerate soil) with rotary weeder; weed/aerate as often as possible• Apply as much organic matter as available
Benefits are observed from soil aeration during the
vegetative growth period
Just Good Agronomic Practice?• There is nothing ‘magic’ about SRI• Many of these practices have been used previously, often traditionally – according to Prof. Yuan Longping in China• These were often ‘BMP’ for prize-winning Japanese farmers in 1950s and 1960s -- according to Prof. T. Horie at U of Kyoto Why haven’t they become widespread?
– This is a very good question– Maybe some synergistic factors?
SRI Guidelines are Evolving• Age of seedling is important because of phyllochron effect -- but best age can vary• Direct seeding is being tried out to save labor; can sow germinated seed and ‘weed’• Permanent raised beds are promising• Optimum spacing changes over time -- in poorer soils, two plants/hill are better• Starting to recommend continuation of alternate wetting and drying throughout the crop cycle -- not shallow flooding after PI• Definite advantages of applying compost
SRI rice field, hybrid variety, Yunnan province, 2004 – 18 t/ha
Madagascar SRI field, 2003
Tillering with SRI practices: single rice plant grown by Dr. Musliar Kasim (Andalas Univ. West Sumatra, Indonesia)
SRI farmer in Chibal village, Srey Santhor district,Kampong Cham province, Cambodia
SRI field in Cuba – 12 t/ha – Los Palacios 9 cv. -- 2003
The Gambia: Sapu Research Station
The Gambia: Sapu Research Station (Mustapha Ceesay)
Guinea: Chinese hybrid (GY032) with SRI methods – 9.2 t/ha
SRI is still controversial for several reasons
1. SRI is counterintuitive – LESS gives MORE -- but this can be explained in scientific terms
2. SRI results are quite variable, between and within countries – because more is involved than genetic potential and external inputs
– Soil biological resources are the key to SRI performance – not industrial operation
3. SRI results often higher on farmers’ fields than on research stations – scientists often cannot replicate farmers’ results, which is the reverse of the usual situation
SRI Shows LINKS between Processes Above-Ground and Below-Ground
• Importance of soil aeration and provision of organic matter to promote abundance and diversity of organisms in/on/around roots
• Effects of N fixation, phosphorus solubilization, mycorrhizal fungi, protozoan cycling of N, induced systemic resistance, phytohormones
Soil microbial activity is critical for plant nutrition
and SRI performance
“The microbial flora causes a large number of biochemical changes in the soil that largely determine the fertility of the soil.” (DeDatta, 1981, p. 60, emphasis added)
SRI R 2 =
0.6159 Conv
R
2 =
0.3144
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N uptake (kg/ha)
Grain yield (kg/ha)
Grain yield SRI (kg/ha)
Grain yield Conv
(kg/ha)
Poly.:Grain yield
SRI (kg/ha)
Poly.: Grain yield
Conv. (kg/ha)
Rice grain yield response to N uptake
Figure 8: Linear regression relationship between N uptake and grain yield for SRI and conventional methods, using QUEFTS modeling (from Barison, 2002) Results are from on-farm comparisons (N = 108)
LESS CAN PRODUCE MOREby utilizing biological potentials & processes• Smaller, younger seedlings become larger,
more productive mature plants• Fewer plants per hill and per m2 will give
higher yield if used with other SRI practices• Half as much water produces more rice
because aerobic soil conditions are better• Greater output is possible with use of fewer or even no external/chemical inputs
There is nothing magical about SRI – not ‘voodoo science’ (Cassman & Sinclair, 2004)
How to account for vigorous growth of young transplants?
• More TILLERING/ROOT GROWTH
• This can be explained in terms of ‘phyllochrons’ -- interval of plant growth found in all “grass” species
• Discovered by Japanese scientist Katayama in 1920s-30s
• Tillering pattern follows sequence of ‘Fibonacci series’ --1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13...
What speeds up the biological clock?
(adapted from Nemoto et al. 1995)
Shorter phyllochrons Longer phyllochrons• Higher temperature > cold temperature• Wider spacing > crowding of roots/canopy• More illumination > shading of plants• Ample nutrients in soil > nutrient deficits• Soil penetrability > compaction of soil• Sufficient moisture > drought conditions• Sufficient oxygen > hypoxic soil
Roller-marker devised by Lakshmana Reddy, East Godavari,AP, India, to save time in transplanting operations; his yield
in 2003-04 rabi season was 17.25 t/ha paddy (dry weight)
4-row weeder designedby Gopal Swaminathan,
Thanjavur, TN, India
Aerate soil at same time that weeds are removed/incorporated
Motorizedweeder
developed byS. Ariyaratna
Sri Lanka
Seeder Developed in Cuba
Direct seeding will probably replace transplanting in futureEssential principle is to avoid trauma to the young roots
Liu Zhibin, Meishan Inst. of Science & Technology, in
raised-bed,no-till SRI field with certified yield of 13.4 t/ha
Seedlings are started at the end of winter in plastic greenhouses
Normal 3-S
THANK YOU
• Web page: http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/
• Email: [email protected] or [email protected] or