Secondary Macronutrients Up-Take, Root Development, and Chlorophyll Content of Local Rice Varieties Grown under System of Rice Intensification (SRI) vs. Conventional Methods

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A System of Rice Intensification (SRI) create optimal conditions with transplanting widely spaced young single seedlings, organic fertilizer amendment, and water management. In Indonesia the water for irrigating rice is limited, especially in the dry season. An Intermittent irrigation method of rice cultivation aims to reduce water requirements. In Indonesia local rice varieties have the potential to produce high-yielding rice with the intermittent irrigation method to meet food needs. The study aims to determine the suitability of SRI and conventional irrigation techniques on local rice varieties. The research conducted the field experimental with 4 x 2 factorial design, arranged in a Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications. The first factor was rice varieties, which consisted of 4 varieties, i.e., Rojolele, Cianjur, Mentikwangi and Ciherang. The second factor was the method of irrigation consisting of two kinds, i.e., intermittent irrigation and continuous flooding. Analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test at α=5% was used. The results showed that rice variety and irrigation were significantly interacts to the secondary macronutrient absorption and root development. Rojolele with SRI irrigation has higher secondary macronutrient absorption than the Cianjur and Mentikwangi. Calcium nutrient absorption of Rojolele and Ciherang with SRI irrigation was higher than other varieties, whereas Magnesium nutrient absorption of Rojolele with SRI irrigation was higher than Ciherang, Cianjur, and Mentikwangi. Rojolele with SRI irrigation had higher Sulfur nutrient absorption than Cianjur and Mentikwangi. In Rojolele and Ciherang, intermittent irrigation SRI produced longer roots at harvest and more wide root surface area than conventional irrigation, but on Mentikwangi, conventional irrigation produced longer roots and more wide root surface area than intermittent SRI irrigation. The chlorophyll b content of the Cianjur and Mentikwangi were greater than Rojolele. The yield of Cianjur was higher than Ciherang's variety.