The SRI methodology first developed with irrigated rice in Madagascar has shown to be effective across different rice cropping systems as well as other crops, such as wheat and sugarcane. Thanks to the phenotypic changes that occur, plant productivity increases. As a climate-smart agricultural approach, SRI helps farmers to adapt to climate change
by reducing crop water requirements; in addition to helping mitigate climate change by reducing methane emissions that accompany permanently flooded conventional fields.
`Early andCarEfulTransplanTingTransplanting occurs at the two-leaf stage, about 8-12 days
OpEn CanOpyLacking competition for sunlight early on, SRI plants grow out, with a broader canopy (33˚) than conventional rice1
Only 1sEEdlingpEr HillEach plant is given space for roots and shoots to grow
Many TillErsEarly planting and wide spac-ing favors tiller development, producing 100% more tillers per hill than conventional rice,1 as seen in the picture below of a single SRI plant
TallEr, THiCkErTillErsThanks to robust root systems, plants grow taller (24%) and tillers thicker (38%)1
WidE spaCingPlants aretransplanted in agrid pattern, with 25cmx25cm or morebetween plants
dEEp, ExpansivErOOT sTruCTurEPlants grow deeper looking for more wa-ter and nutrients, resulting in roots dou-ble the weight per hill1
alTErnaTEWETTingand dryingAerobic soils promote plant and soil microbial health
EnriCHsOils WiTH OrganiC MaTTErto improve plantnutrition and soilstructure
MECHaniCalWEEding andi.p.M.Weeds are incorporated and soil is aerated
TransplanTing Of OldErsEEdlingsPlants are taken out of the nursery at 25-45 days
narrOW CanOpyHigh planting density causes plants to reach straight for the sun, resulting in a narrower canopy angle (18˚)1
MulTiplEsEEdlingspEr Hill3-5 seedlings/hill or more, increasing intra-specific competition
fEW TillErsLate transplanting and tranplanting results in fewer tillers per hill than with SRI
THinnEr TillErsSmaller, weaker plants result in shorter growth and thinner tillers
ClOsE HillspaCingReduces weedcompetition, butincreases intraspecific competition
sMall, sHallOW rOOT sysTEMsWith anaerobic soil conditions and densely planted older seedlings, roots don’t grow well, staying shallow and small, characterized by a high die-back and turn over rate
COnTinuOusflOOdingMinimizes weed growth, but adverslyaffects soil health and rice plant growth
CHEMiCalfErTilizErsChemical fertilizersaddress immediate plant needs, but not long term soil health
HErbiCidE and Hand WEEdingCan be dangerous to farmers and watersupply, and can harm soil health
The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)vs. Conventional Practices
The Foodand Agriculture
Organizationof the
United Nations
The SRIInternationalNetwork andResources Center atCornell University
irrigated riceproduced with sri and conventionalmethods
phenotypicchangescaused by sri
SRI Methods: With a focus on optimiz-ing plant and soil health, SRI manages to produce higher yields with fewerinputs. Seed use is reduced by 80-95%, water use by 30-50% (or more!), chemi-cal input use by 30-50% (up to 100% for organic SRI).
Conventional Methods: Conventionalirrigated rice practices sacrifice soil and plant health in order to suppress weed growth, achieved through permanent flooding
SRI Methods: Rice plants have a high level of plasticity in developing plant phenotypes - an ability that is present in all rice varieties. SRI methods sup-port a more full expression of plants’ genetic growth potential, whether for local or professionally bred varieties, al-lowing farmers to improve rice produc-tion with the variety of their choice.
Conventional Methods: Planting old seedlings closely spaced with con-stant flooding forces plants to assume a shape and growth pattern that masks their true potential for growth.
Conv. SRIConv. SRI
SRI Conv.
SRI Conv.Thakur, A.K et al (2011) Effects for rice plant morphology and physiology of water and associated mgt practices of SRI and their implications for crop performance, PAWE 9:13-24
Contact: Erika Styger (SRI-Rice, Cornell University), [email protected];Amir Kassam (FAO), [email protected]; Josef Kienzle (FAO), [email protected]
www.sririce.org - www.fao.org/ag/ca
Conv. SRI
Poster 2 - SRI/Conv.indd 1 10/30/13 11:20 AM
