The System of Rice Intensification (SRI):

Creating Opportunities for Agroecological Development

JIRCAS Seminar

Tsukuba, November 16, 2009

Prof. Norman Uphoff, CIIFAD

Needs for rice sector in 21st century

acc. to IRRI/DG, Intl. Year of Rice, 2004

• Increased land productivity-- higher yield• Higher water productivity -- crop per drop• Technology more accessible for the poor• Technology more environmentally friendly • Greater resistance to pests and diseases • Tolerance of abiotic stresses (climate

change) • Better grain quality for consumers, and• Greater profitability for farmers

SRI practices help meet all these needs:

• Higher yields by 50-100% -- or more• Water reduction of 25-50% (also rainfed)• Reduced capital expenditure (accessible)• Little or no need for agrochemical inputs• Induced pest and disease resistance • Tolerance for drought, little/no lodging• Better grain quality -- less chalkiness • Lower costs of production by 10-20% -- which leads to higher farmers’ income

SRI is application of AGROECOLOGY, which can be

summarized this way:1. ENHANCE the life in the soil,

i.e., in soil systems, recognizing the precedence of soil biology, which is shaping soil’s chemistry and physics

2.IMPROVE growing environment (E) for crops, in

ways that will work to induce more productive

phenotypes from any given crop genotype

(G)

Agroecological principle #1:

SUPPORT the recycling of biomass to optimize nutrient

availability in the soil and balance nutrient flows in the soil

and biosphere over time

Agroecological principle #2:

PROVIDE the most favorable soil conditions which will enhance the soil’s structure and the functioning

of soil systems, esp. by managing organic matter and

by enhancing soil biotic activity

Agroecological principle #3:

MINIMIZE losses of energy and other growth factors

within plants’ microenvironments

both above and below groundin ways that can maximize

resource-use efficiency

Agroecological principle #4:

DIVERSIFY the species and the genetic resources within

agroecosystems, both over time and over space

Agroecological principle #5:

ENHANCE beneficial biological interactions and synergies among all of the

components of agrobiodiversity, thereby

promoting key ecological processes and services

(Reijntjes et al., 1992; Altieri 2002;)

SRI is many things:– SRI derives from a certain number

of INSIGHTS, based on experience – SRI can be explained in terms of

PRINCIPLES having scientific bases – SRI gets communicated to farmers

in terms of specific PRACTICES that improve the growing environment for their rice plants - at same time,

– SRI offers an alternative PARADIGM a different approach to agriculture - pointing toward post-modern agriculture

SRI is NOT A TECHNOLOGY While SRI practices look like a

PACKAGE or even like a RECIPE, they are really better understood as a MENU

• Farmers are encouraged to use as many of the practices as possible, as well as possible

• Each practice contributes to higher yield as seen from the accumulating evidence

• There is also evidence of a certain synergy operating among the practices – so that the best results come from using them together

SRI is NOT YET FINISHED -- Since SRI was empirically developed,

we are continually improving scientific understanding of SRI concepts/theory

-- Since SRI is farmer-centered, it is being modified, improved, extended

• There are now also rainfed versions of SRI and zero-till, direct-seed, raised-bed forms

• SRI ideas are extrapolated to other crops: wheat, sugar cane, millet, teff, beans, etc.

System of Finger Millet I ntensificationon lef t; regular management of improved

variety and of traditional variety on right

Liu Zhibin, Meishan, Sichuan province, China, standing in raised-bed, zero-till SRI field; measured yield 13.4 t/ha.In 2001, his SRI yield set provincial yield record: 16 t/ha

SRI was developed for smallholders in

Madagascar, but it is relevant at all scales

- Fr. Henri de Laulanié came there from France in 1961 – had agricultural training- He started working with farmers to raise yield without dependence on external inputs- In 1983-84 season he learned effects of young seedlings- In late 1980s, when fertilizer subsidies were removed, he switched over to compost

Fr. de Laulaniémaking field visit

Status of SRI: As of 1999

Known and practiced only in Madagascar

SRI benefits have been demonstrated in 34 countries

in Asia, Africa, and Latin America

Before 1999: Madagascar1999-2000: China, Indonesia2000-01: Bangladesh, Cuba Cambodia, Gambia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Thailand 2002-03: Benin, Guinea, Mozambique, Peru

2004-05: Senegal, Mali, Pakistan, Vietnam2006: Burkina Faso, Bhutan, Iran, Iraq, Zambia2007: Afghanistan, Brazil 2008: Egypt, Rwanda, Ghana, Ecuador, Costa Rica2009: Timor Leste, Malaysia

Now in 2009, SRI benefits have been validated in 37 countries of Asia, Africa, and

Latin America

The Six Basic Ideas for SRI1. Transplant young seedlings to preserve their growth

potential -- but DIRECT SEEDING is now an option2. Avoid trauma to the roots -- transplant quickly and

shallow, not inverting root tips, which halts growth3. Give plants wider spacing -– one plant per hill and in

square pattern to achieve ‘edge effect’ everywhere4. Keep paddy soil moist but unflooded –- soil should be

mostly aerobic and not continuously saturated5. Actively aerate the soil as much as possible6. Enhance soil organic matter as much as possible

1-2-3 stimulate plant growth aboveground, while 4-5-6 enhance growth of plants’ ROOTS and of soil BIOTA better PHENOTYPES

Cuban farmer with two plants of same variety

(VN 2084) and same age (52 DAP)

Single-seed SRI rice plantVariety: CiherangFertile tillers: 223Sampoerna CSR Program, Malang, E. Java, 2009

Additional benefits of SRI practice:

• Reduced time to maturity,by 1-2 weeks, less exposure to pests and diseases, and to adverse climate; can replant sooner • Higher milling outturn – by about 15%•Human resource development for farmers through participatory approach – want farmers to become better managers of their resources, experimenting, evaluating…• Diversification and modernization of smallholder agriculture; can adapt to larger- scale production through mechanization

Requirements/Constraints1. Water control to apply small amounts of water

reliably; may need drainage facilities2. Supply of biomass for making compost – but

can use fertilizer if compost is insufficient3. Crop protection may be necessary, although

usually more resistance to pests & diseases4. Mechanical weeder is desirable as this can

aerate the soil at same time it controls weeds5. Skill & motivation of farmers most important;

need to learn new practices; once techniques are mastered, SRI can become labor-saving

6. Support of experts? have faced opposition

SRI

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

IH H FH MR WR YRStage

Org

an d

ry w

eigh

t(g/

hill)

CK

I H H FH MR WR YR

Yellowleaf andsheathPanicle

Leaf

Sheath

Stem

47.9% 34.7%

Non-Flooding Rice Farming Technology in Irrigated Paddy FieldDr. Tao Longxing, China National Rice Research Institute, 2004

Factorial trials by CNRRI, 2004 and 2005

using two super-hybrid varieties --seeking to break ‘plateau’ limiting

yieldsStandard Rice

Mgmt• 30-day seedlings• 20x20 cm spacing• Continuous

flooding• Fertilization:

– 100% chemical

New Rice Mgmt (SRI)

• 20-day seedlings• 30x30 cm spacing• Alternate wetting

and drying (AWD)• Fertilization:

– 50% chemical, – 50% organic

Average super-rice yields (kg/ha) with new rice

management (SRI) vs.standard rice management

at different plant densities ha-1

0100020003000400050006000700080009000

10000

150,000 180,000 210,000

NRMSRM

AFGHANISTAN: SRI field in Baghlan Province, supported by Aga Khan Foundation Natural Resource Management

program

SRI field at 30 days

SRI plant with 133 tillers @

72 days after transplanting

11.56 t/ha

IRAQ: Comparison trials at Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station, Najaf

Two Paradigms for Agriculture:

• GREEN REVOLUTION strategy was to:* Change the genetic potential of plants, and

* Increase the use of external inputs -- more water, more fertilizer and insecticides

• SRI (AGROECOLOGY) instead changes the management of plants, soil, water & nutrients:

* To promote the growth of root systems, and

* To increase the abundance and diversity of soil organisms to better enlist their benefits

The goal is to produce better PHENOTYPES

MADAGASCAR: Rice field grown with SRI methods

CAMBODIA: Rice plant

grown from single seed in

Takeo province

NEPAL:Single rice

plant grownwith SRI methods, Morang district

IRAN: SRI roots and normal

(flooded) roots: note difference in color as well as size

INDONESIA:Rice plants ofsame age andsame variety

in Lombokprovince

Indonesia: Results of 9 seasons of on-farm comparative

evaluations of SRI by Nippon Koei team, 2002-06

• No. of trials: 12,133• Total area covered: 9,429.1 hectares• Ave. increase in yield: 3.3 t/ha (78%)• Reduction in water requirements: 40%• Reduction in fertilizer use: 50%• Reduction in costs of production: 20%Note: In Bali (DS 2006) 24 farmers on 42 ha: SRI + Longping hybrids → 13.3 vs. 8.4 t/ha

SRI LANKA: same rice variety, same irrigation system &same drought -- left, conventional methods; right, SRI

VIETNAM: Dông Trù village,Hanoi province,

after typhoon

Nie Fu-qiu, Bu Tou village, Zhejiang

In 2004, SRI gave highest yield in province: 12 t/ha

In 2005, his SRI rice fields were hit by three typhoons – yet he was still able to harvest 11.15 tons/ha -- while other farmers’ fields were badly affected by the storm damage

In 2008, Nie used chemical fertilizer, and crop lodged

Irrigation method

Seed-ling age

Spacing(cm2)

Time to flowerin

g

Time to maturity

Plant lodging percentage

PartialComplet

eTotal

Inter-mittent

irrigation (AWDI)

1430x30 75 118 6.67 0 6.6730x18 74.67 118.67 40.00 6.67 46.67

2130x30 72.67 117.67 26.67 20 46.6730x18 74.33 117 13.33 13.33 26.67

Ordinary irrigation (continu-

ous flooding)

1430x30 73.33 122 16.67 33.33 50.0030x18 72 121 26.67 53.33 80.00

2130x30 72 120.67 20 76.67 96.6730x18 72.67 121 13.33 80 93.33

Time to flowering, maturity, and plant lodging percentage

as affected by AWDI and ordinary irrigation practice

combined with different age of seedlings and spacing

in Chiba, 2008 (Chapagain and Yamaji, 2009)

Incidence of Diseases and PestsVietnam National IPM Program: average of data from trials in 8 provinces, 2005-

06:Spring season Summer season

SRIPlots

Farmer

Plots

Differ-ence

SRIPlots

Farmer

Plots

Differ-ence

Sheath blight

6.7%

18.1%

63.0% 5.2%

19.8%

73.7%

Leaf blight

-- -- -- 8.6%

36.3%

76.5%

Small leaf folder *

63.4 107.7 41.1% 61.8 122.3 49.5%

Brown plant hopper *

542 1,440 62.4% 545 3,214 83.0%

AVERAGE

55.5% 70.7%

* Insects/m2

Theory of Trophobiosis(F. Chaboussou, Healthy Crops, 2004)

deserves more attention and empirical evaluation than it has received to date

Its propositions are well supported by published literature over last 50 years -- and by long-standing observations about adverse effects of nitrogenous fertilizers and chlorinated pesticides

Theory does not support strictly ‘organic’ approach because nutrient amendments are approved where soil deficits exist

Theory of ‘Trophobiosis’

Explains incidence of pest and disease in terms of plants’ nutrition:

Nutrient imbalances and deficiencies lead to excesses of free amino acids in the plants’ sap and cells, not yet synthesized into proteins – and more simple sugars in sap and cytoplasm not incorporated into polysaccharides

This condition attracts and nourishes insects, bacteria, fungi, even viruses

Resistance to cold temperatures: Yield and meteorological data from ANGRAU, A.P.,

India

Period Period Mean max. Mean max. temp. temp. 00CC

Mean Mean min. min.

temp. temp. 00C C

No. of No. of sunshine hrssunshine hrs

1 – 151 – 15 NovNov 27.727.7 19.219.2 4.94.9

16–3016–30 Nov Nov 29.629.6 17.917.9 7.57.5

1 – 15 Dec1 – 15 Dec 29.129.1 14.614.6 8.68.6

16–31 Dec 16–31 Dec 28.128.1 12.212.2++ 8.68.6+ Sudden drop in minimum temp. for 5 days (16–21 Dec. = 9.2-9.9o C )

SeasonSeason Normal (t/ha)Normal (t/ha) SRI (t/ha)SRI (t/ha)

Kharif 2006Kharif 2006 0.21*0.21* 4.164.16

Rabi 2005-06Rabi 2005-06 2.25 2.25 3.473.47

* Low yield was due to cold injury (see below)

Measured Differences in Grain Quality

Conv. Methods SRI Methods Characteristic (3 spacings) (3 spacings) DifferenceChalky

kernels (%)

39.89 – 41.07 23.62 – 32.47 - 30.7%

General chalkiness (%)

6.74 – 7.17 1.02 – 4.04 - 65.7%

Milled rice outturn (%)

41.54 – 51.46 53.58 – 54.41 +16.1%

Head milled rice (%)

38.87 – 39.99 41.81 – 50.84 +17.5%

Paper by Prof. Ma Jun, Sichuan Agricultural University,

presented at 10th conference on “Theory and Practice forHigh-Quality, High-Yielding Rice in China,” Haerbin,

8/2004

Careful transplanting of single, young seedlings, widely spaced

SRI LANKA: Best use of transplanting methods

SRI LANKA: Soil-aerating hand weeder costs <$10

Effect of Active Soil Aeration

412 farmers in Morang district, Nepal, using SRI in monsoon season, 2005

SRI yield = 6.3 t/ha vs. control = 3.1 t/ha• Data show how WEEDINGS can raise yield

No. of No. of Average Rangeweedings farmers yield of yields

1 32 5.16 (3.6-7.6) 2 366 5.87 (3.5-11.0) 3 14 7.87 (5.85-10.4)

MechanicalWeedings

Farmers (N)

Area (ha)

Harvest(kg)

Yield (t/ha)

None 2 0.11 657 5.973One 8 0.62 3,741 7.723Two 27 3.54 26,102 7.373

Three 24 5.21 47,516 9.120Four 15 5.92 69,693 11.772

Impact of Weedings on Yield with SRI MethodsAmbatovaky, Madagascar, 1997-98

Mechanizationof weeding,

i.e.,soil aeration, is also possible

Roller-marker devised by Lakshmana Reddy, East Godavari,AP, India, to save time in transplanting operations; yieldin 2003-04 rabi season was 16.2 t/ha paddy (dry weight)

SRI seedlings ready for transport to field, for mechanical transplanting

in COSTA RICA

Fig 1 Trasplantadora motorizada AP100 Yanmar

Mechanical transplanter

used in COSTA RICA

Mechanically transplanted SRI field in Costa Rica – 8 t/ha yield

PAKISTAN: Making raised beds for rice-growing

with adapted SRI methods on laser-leveled field

Mechanical transplanter for dropping seedlings into holes made by machine, Water is sprayed in hole after 10-day seedling is lput in,

adding compost.

Mechanical weeder set for spacing 9x9 inch (22.5x22.5 cm) – can give very good soil aeration

Rice crop at 71 days in Punjab, PakistanSeedlings planted into dry soil = 70% water

reductionAverage yield = 13 tons/ha (7 to 22

tons/ha)

Role of Soil Biota

Bacteria and fungi perform many services for crop (under aerobic conditions)

• Nutrient cycling and mobilization• Nitrogen fixation• Phosphorus solubilization• Water and nutrient acquisition• Competition with pathogens• Induced systemic resistanceAlso previously unappreciated

benefits --

ENDOPHYTIC AZOSPIRILLUM, TI LLERING, AND RICE YIELDS WITH CULTIVATION

PRACTICES AND NUTRIENT AMENDMENTS Results of replicated trials at Anjomakely, Madagascar, 2001 (Andriankaja, 2002)

Azospirillum CLAY SOIL (Methods of cultivation)

in roots (103/mg)

Tillers/ plant Yield (t/ha)

Usual with no amendments 65 17 1.8 SRI with no amendments 1,100 45 6.1 SRI with NPK added 450 68 9.0 SRI methods with compost 1,400 78 10.5 LOAM SOIL SRI with no amendments 75 32 2.1 SRI methods with compost 2,000 47 6.6

Treatments Total microbes

(x105)

Azotobacter(x103)

Azospirillum(x103)

PSM(x104)

Conventional (T0) 2.3a 1.9a 0.9a 3.3a

Inorganic SRI (T1) 2.7a 2.2a 1.7ab 4.0a

Organic SRI (T2) 3.8b 3.7b 2.8bc 5.9b

Org. SRI + BF (T3) 4.8c 4..4b 3.3c 6.4bCFU = colony forming units PSM = Phosphate-solubilizing microbes BF = Bio-organic fertilizerValues with the different letters in a column are significantly different by LSD at the 0.05 level.Treatments: T0 = 20x20 cm spacing, 30 day seedlings, 6 seedlings/hill, 5 cm flooding depth of water, fertilized with inorganic NPK (250 kg urea, 200 kg SP-18, 100 kg KCl ha -1); T1, T2, T3 = All 30x30 cm spacing, 6-10 day seedlings, 1 seedling/hill, moist soil or intermittent irrigation, with different fertilization: T1 = same inorganic NPK as T0; T2 = 5 t ha-1 of organic fertilizer (compost); T3 = Inorganic NPK as in T0 + 300 kg ha-1 bioorganic fertilizer.

Total microbes and numbers of beneficial soil microbes (CFU g-1) under conventional and SRI rice cultivation methods, Tanjung Sari, Bogor district, Indonesia, Feb-Aug

2009 (Iswandi et al., 2009)

‘Ascending Migration of Endophytic Rhizobia, from Roots and Leaves, inside Rice Plants and Assessment of Benefits to

Rice Growth Physiology’Rhizo-bium test strain

Total plant root

volume/pot (cm3)

Shoot dry weight/ pot (g)

Net photo-synthetic

rate (μmol-2 s-1)

Water utilization efficiency

Area (cm2) of flag leaf

Grain yield/ pot (g)

Ac-ORS571 210 ± 36A 63 ± 2A 16.42 ± 1.39A 3.62 ± 0.17BC 17.64 ± 4.94ABC 86 ± 5A

SM-1021 180 ± 26A 67 ± 5A 14.99 ± 1.64B 4.02 ± 0.19AB 20.03 ± 3.92A 86 ± 4A

SM-1002 168 ± 8AB 52 ± 4BC 13.70 ± 0.73B 4.15 ± 0.32A 19.58 ± 4.47AB 61 ± 4B

R1-2370 175 ± 23A 61 ± 8AB 13.85 ± 0.38B 3.36 ± 0.41C 18.98 ± 4.49AB 64 ± 9B

Mh-93 193 ± 16A 67 ± 4A 13.86 ± 0.76B 3.18 ± 0.25CD 16.79 ± 3.43BC 77 ± 5A

Control 130 ± 10B 47 ± 6C 10.23 ± 1.03C 2.77 ± 0.69D 15.24 ± 4.0C 51 ± 4C

Feng Chi et al.,Applied and Envir. Microbiology 71 (2005), 7271-7278

Data are based on the average linear root and shoot growth of three symbiotic (dashed line) and three nonsymbiotic (solid line) plants.

Arrows indicate the times when root hair development started.

Ratio of root and shoot growth in symbiotic and nonsymbiotic rice

plants (symbiotic plants inoculated with Fusarium culmorum)

Russell J. Rodriguez et al., ‘Symbiotic regulation of plant growth, development and reproduction,’ Communicative

and Integrative Biology, 2:3 (2009).

Growth of nonsymbiotic (on left) and symbiotic (on right) rice seedlings. On growth of endophyte (F. culmorum) and plant

inoculation procedures, see Rodriguez et al., Communicative and Integrative Biology, 2:3 (2009).

Extensions of SRI to Other Crops: Extensions of SRI to Other Crops: Uttarakhand / Himachal Pradesh, India Uttarakhand / Himachal Pradesh, India

Crop No. of Farmers

Area (ha)

Grain Yield (t/ha)

%Incr.

2006 Conv. SRI

Rajma 5 0.4 1.4 2.0 43Manduwa 5 0.4 1.8 2.4 33Wheat Research

Farm5.0 1.6 2.2 38

2007

Rajma 113 2.26 1.8 3.0 67Manduwa 43 0.8 1.5 2.4 60Wheat (Irrig.)

25 0.23 2.2 4.3 95

Wheat (Unirrig.)

25 0.09 1.6 2.6 63

Rajma (kidney beans)

Manduwa (millet)

Sugar cane grown with SRI methods (left) in Andhra Pradesh

Reported yields of 125-235 t/ha compared with usual 65 t/ha

ICRISAT-WWF Sugarcane

Initiative: at least 20% more cane

yield, with: • 30% reduction in water, and • 25% reduction in chemical inputs

‘The inspiration for putting this package together is from the successful approach of SRI – System of Rice Intensification.’

HIGH-TILLERING TRAIT IN TEFF WHEN TRANSPLANTED WITH WIDER SPACING

1ST S.T.I. TRIALS, 2008 Duplication of Earlier Findings

VARIETYVARIETY SOWING SOWING METHODMETHOD

PELLETINGPELLETING YIELD YIELD (Kg/Ha)(Kg/Ha)

Cross 37Cross 37 BroadcastBroadcast NoneNone 1,0141,014BroadcastBroadcast YesYes 483483

20 cm x 20 cm20 cm x 20 cm NoneNone 3,3903,39020 cm x 20 cm20 cm x 20 cm YesYes 5,1095,109

Cross 387Cross 387 BroadcastBroadcast NoneNone 1,1811,181BroadcastBroadcast YesYes 1,0361,036

20 cm x 20 cm20 cm x 20 cm NoneNone 4,1424,14220 cm x 20 cm20 cm x 20 cm YesYes 4,3854,385

YIFRU ( 1998 ) M. Sc. THESIS

Reported yield of 4-5 tons/ha for

non-lodged teff vs.2-3 t/ha for lodged

teff

2ND S.T.I. TRIALS, 2009COMPOUND FERTILIZER + SPACINGVariety: DZ-01-974 (3 replications I-III)

I II III TOTAL AVE.YIELD

(kg/ha)*

DAP + UREA 57 49.5 34.2 140.7 46.9 6,700

DAP + NP + Zn 56.6 53.8 60.6 171 57.0 8,143DAP + NP +

Cu 67.6 58.4 40.4 166.4 55.5 7,924DAP + NP + Zn

+ Cu 76.2 50.9 53.3 180.4 60.1 8,591SUKUBE SUKUBE (NPK + Cu, Zn, Mn) + UREA 68.6 61.8 54.1 184.5 61.5 8,786CHECK: NO FERTILIZER 5.3 11.2 3.2 19.7 6.6 938* YIELD LEVELS NEVER REPORTED BEFORE

SRI is pointing the way toward a possible paradigm shift to ‘post-modern agriculture’:• Less ‘genocentric’ and more profoundly ‘biocentric’• Re-focus biotechnology and bioengineering to capitalize on biodiversity and ecological dynamics• Less chemical-dependent and more energy-efficient• More oriented to the health of people and of environment• Intensification of production --not continued extensification• Focus on factor productivity and on sustainability !

THANK YOU

• Check out SRI website: http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/

• Email: ciifad@cornell.edu or ntu1@cornell.edu

How to “speed up the biological clock”

(adapted from Nemoto et al. 1995)

Shorter phyllochrons Longer phyllochrons• Higher temperatures > cold temperatures• 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 conditions

Root cross- sections of varieties:upland (left) and irrigated (right)

ORSTOM research (Puard et al. 1989)

Current research in Indonesia at IPB: cross-sections of rice roots at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting – with conventional mgmt, SRI with fertilizer, and SRI with organic inputs