System Of Rice Intensification Practices Research Articles

Compatibility between Conservation Agriculture and the System of Rice Intensification

Conservation Agriculture (CA) and the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are both agroecologically-oriented production systems that support more productive, sustainable, and resource-conserving farming, with synergies arising from their respective assemblages of reinforcing agronomic methods. This review article examines the compatibility between CA and SRI, considering examples of their being utilized in complementary ways. The application of CA principles enhances the growth, yield, and performance of the crops grown under the cropping system as well as the health and resilience of the whole ecosystem. SRI practices create more favorable conditions for the development of crop plants below- and above-ground, including conditions that can be enhanced by CA management. SRI practices such as reduced plant density m−2 can elicit a better phenotypic expression of the genetic potentials of crops grown with CA. For these two agronomic systems to converge at the field level, some of their respective practices for plant, soil, water, and nutrient management need to be modified or aligned. One such adaptation is to practice SRI in CA systems on permanent, no-till, mulch-covered raised beds, with rainfall or irrigation water in the furrows between the beds furnishing and controlling water and providing weed suppression and improved nutrient recycling. SRI rice cropping can benefit from the CA practices of no-tillage, mulch soil cover, and diversified cropping, both in paddies and on raised beds. Several examples have shown that this convergence of cropping systems is feasible for smallholding farmers as well as for larger-scale producers and also that SRI practices within a CA system are amenable to considerable mechanization. Further research and experimentation are needed to identify and assess appropriate practices for capitalizing upon their synergies.

Evaluating the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms in the system of rice intensification performance with Trichoderma-rice plant symbiosis as a model system.

The system of rice intensification (SRI) is an extensively-researched and increasingly widely-utilized methodology for alleviating current constraints on rice production. Many studies have shown physiological and morphological improvements in rice plants induced by SRI management practices to be very similar to those that are associated with the presence of beneficial microbial endophytes in or around rice plants, especially their roots. With SRI methods, grain yields are increased by 25-100% compared to conventional methods, and the resulting plant phenotypes are better able to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses. SRI management practices have been shown to be associated with significant increases in the populations of certain microorganisms known to enhance soil health and plant growth, e.g., Azospirillum, Trichoderma, Glomus, and Pseudomonas. This article evaluates the effects of applying Trichoderma as a model microbe for assessing microbial growth-promotion, biological control activity, and modulation of gene expression under the conditions created by SRI practices. Information about the molecular changes and interactions associated with certain effects of SRI management suggests that these practices are enhancing rice plants' expression of their genetic potentials. More systematic studies that assess the effects of SRI methods respectively and collectively, compared with standard rice production methods, are needed to develop a more encompassing understanding of how SRI modifications of crops' growing environment elicit and contribute to more robust and more productive phenotypes of rice.

A Best-Bet System of Rice Intensification for Sustainable Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Production in Northwestern Nigeria

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) practices are expected to be used in location-specific ways and thus will vary somewhat across countries and regions. This study undertook to identify a ‘best-bet’ version of SRI for conditions in northwestern Nigeria, considering what is feasible for farmer use. Two years of experimental data from 260 farmer-managed rice plots evaluating four of the SRI practices in Zamfara State were analyzed. The variables evaluated were seedling age at transplanting, plant density, irrigation schedule, and fertilizer application. Farm budget analysis showed that the best-bet SRI practices most productive given the natural environment and farming system were transplanting 11-day-old seedlings at 25 cm × 25 cm spacing, with alternate wetting-and-drying of fields, as well as providing full compost plus some inorganic fertilization. Net economic returns were found to be highest with best-bet SRI practices and ranged from USD 1450–2120 ha−1. While rice production was profitable under both SRI and more conventional management, the return on investment was at least 40% higher with SRI practices than with the other practices evaluated. Based on our data and analysis, we recommend that the Nigerian government and its development partners prioritize and expand the testing and promotion of SRI in the northwest and other regions of the country. This initiative can significantly enhance farmers’ incomes and, ultimately, bolster food security.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Tripura: A Reflection

This study assessed the contribution of area, yield, and their interaction to growth in the production of rice as well as estimated the compound annual growth rate in the area, production, and yield of rice in Tripura using time series data for the period 1995-96 to 2020-21 collected from various published sources. The trend of growth in area, production, and yield of rice under SRI from 2002-03 to 2015-16 using three years moving averages was significant. However, there was a slight reduction in the percentage coverage of SRI to the total rice area for the last five years. The decomposition analysis revealed that during the period from 1995-96 to 2020-21, the yield effect has the highest contribution to the change in the production of rice in the state. So, providing incentives and subsidies to the farmers for the continuance of SRI practice would enhance the production and livelihoods of the farmers.

Effect of System of Rice Intensification Practices in Increasing the Yield of Traditional Varieties of Rice

The experiment to evaluate the “Effect of SRI (System of Rice Intensification) practices in increasing the yield of traditional varieties of rice was carried out in the samba season of 2022 at south farm in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Division of Agronomy, Coimbatore. The soil of the experimental field was clay loam, moderately drained low in available N 212 kg ha-1), high (17.4 kg ha-1) medium K (410 kg ha-1) level of organic carbon (0.73%). The experiment was laid in Randomized Block Design and replicated three times. The treatments consisted of 7 rice varieties namely Illupaipoo samba (T1), Vaalan samba (T2), Mysore malli (T3), Thanga samba (T4), Thooyamalli (T5), Kitcheli samba (T6) and Bhavani (T7). The Data collected includes the yield attributes of different traditional rice varieties and was analyzed using analysis of variance. In the recent past, research on the country's rice crop has mostly been concentrated on increasing output, crop resilience to pests and diseases, and has given little attention to cultivating the traditional rice varieties or management options for better establishment and production. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct SRI technique experiments with a few chosen rice varieties in order to gather data and provide guidance on the best variety to choose for the production of high-quality rice and its commercialization The results showed that the variety Thanga samba (T4) produced significantly higher grain yield of 6564 kg ha-1 and registered a yield increase ranging from 12 to 63 per cent over the other varieties under evaluation. The highest net return of 176472 ₹ ha-1 with B:C ratio of 2.6 was realised under the variety Thanga samba (T4). In conclusion the variety Thanga samba (T4) performed better under SRI method of cultivation.

SRI 2.0 and Beyond: Sequencing the Protean Evolution of the System of Rice Intensification

As the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) has evolved in many ways and in several directions over the past two decades, this review follows the software-naming convention of labeling SRI’s different and subsequent versions as SRI 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, etc. In agroecology as with software, variants are not necessarily linear and can establish new directions as well as the further evolution of existing ones. This overview reviews how rainfed SRI, direct-seeded SRI, mechanized SRI, and other modifications of the initial SRI methodology have emerged since 2000, and how versions of SRI have been improvised to improve the production of other crops beyond rice, like wheat, finger millet, maize, and sugar cane. SRI thinking and practices are also being incorporated into diversified farming systems, broadening the logic and impact of SRI beyond monoculture rice cultivation, and SRI methods are also being used to achieve broader objectives like the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation of biodiversity. SRI observations and research have been contributing to the crop and soil sciences by focusing attention on plant roots and soil ecology and by showing how crop management can elicit more desirable phenotypes from a given genotype. Cooperation regarding SRI among farmers, civil-society actors, scientists, private sector agents, governments, and funding agencies has begun introducing noteworthy changes within the agricultural sector, and this collaboration is expected to deepen and expand.

The influence of multi-stakeholder networks on the uptake of system of rice intensification among smallholder rice farmers in western Kenya

Multi-stakeholder platforms are useful in driving technology uptake by bringing together stakeholders in a value chain for joint agenda-setting and learning to address a common goal. In this paper, we analyze how multi-stakeholder networks unfold in an innovation platform for networking and capacity building to drive the uptake of the system of rice intensification (SRI) in Oluch irrigation scheme in western Kenya. An innovation platform (IP) was launched at Oluch irrigation scheme in Kenya to enhance networking among stakeholders and facilitate capacity building among farmers. We performed a network analysis to understand the patterns of knowledge exchange among stakeholders in the IP. We further explore the association between innovation platform characteristics and the uptake of SRI practices using regression analyses, correlation analyses and chi-square-tests. Our findings reveal that there was a substantial increase in the uptake of SRI that was largely driven by strategic networks. Extensionists and farmer groups emerged as the most important actors while farmer-to-farmer networks are still nascent in promoting SRI than expected but growing. We conclude by describing the describe a theory of change developed and experienced in the IP. While multi-stakeholder networks may be important drivers of technology uptake, there is a need for careful analysis of strategic networks within the IP that are core to achieving IP goals such as uptake of the technology and ensuring sustainability of the IP.

Ergonomic Assessment of Power Tiller Operators during the Testing of System of Rice Intensification Practices at Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, Zamfara State, Nigeria

Nigeria is intensively working hard to achieving food security for its ever growing population. One of the strategies adopted was introduction of modern crop intensification practices and mechanization. In line with this, testing and evaluation of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was conducted at Bakolori Irrigation Scheme (BIS), Zamfara State - Nigeria. Power Tiller was among the appropriate tools and machinery that were investigated. However, there is the need to match operator’s efforts adopted. Both male and female operators were selected according the ergonomic practices from two farmer’s groups selected for the study. These operators were calibrated using hand ergometer and stethoscope while calibration curves were developed. Weather of the days of the exercise were also documented. Similarly, the anthropometric data of operators were examined in order to compute the quetlets index. Ergonomic assessments of the operators was conducted for energy cost assessment with mouldboard plough, disc plough and puddler. The overall results indicated that: quetlets index of the male operators ranges 17.24 – 22.9, while that of the female was 17.86 – 21.00. The energy cost of the male operators for mouldboard plough ranges; 14 – 25kJ/min, disc plough; 13.2 – 23.1kJ/min and puddler; 10.3 – 15.8kJ/min. The female operators operated mouldboard plough, the energy cost ranges; 10.4 – 14kJ/min. It was observed that the energy cost of male mouldboard plough operator is almost twice that of the female in the same environment, soil condition and power tiller type.

System of Rice Intensification National Network Bangladesh (SRINNB) Enhancement of Food Security and Climate Resilient Livelihood Opportunities for the Farming Community in Bangladesh - An Exploratory Study Report

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) was initiated in Bangladesh in 1999-2000 when the government’s Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and CARE-Bangladesh introduced SRI to a few groups of farmers in Kishoregonj. The average SRI yields in that first Boro season were 6.5-7.5 tonne per ha, which was around 20% higher than farmer practice. The SRI movement started in 2000 after Prof. Norman Uphoff visited Dhaka and spoke on the benefits of SRI to representatives of agricultural-related organisations and NGOs in the BRAC Head Office. The objectives of SRI NNB are to enhance crop intensification, production, and income for the farmers. The crop intensification initiative of SRI NNB followed the farmer participatory action (PAR) research approach for involving the farmers in undertaking field experiments, observation, analysis, and adoption processes to increase farm productivity and income. Though SRI practice was initiated about two decades ago in Bangladesh, it didn’t expand much throughout the country. The farmer to- farmer extension took place in localized proximity. Institutional management support and resource allocation are considered to be inevitable to expand the benefit of SRI among the farmers. It is expected that farmers might exercise the SRI principles in other crops as well. The recent emerging impact of climate change is to be addressed together with SRI practice and appropriate climate smart technologies in Bangladesh to improve food security of the poor and marginal farmers.

Overview of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) Around the World

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and the System of Crop Intensification (SCI), which has developed from SRI experience, should not be understood as technologies like those of the Green Revolution. Thinking of them as methodologies is more appropriate, in part, because they keep evolving rather than being something fixed and given. This paper reviews and organizes the many versions of rice and other crop management that have emerged from SRI, using the computer software convention of numbering successive versions with a series of ascending numbers, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc. SRI 1.0 is the original set of practices developed and recommended by Fr. Henri de Laulanié in Madagascar some 40 years ago. As SRI has spread to over 60 countries, they have proved to be generally quite effective. Happily, as the experience was gained with these practices, their underlying principles were discerned and systematized, as discussed in the paper. SRI 2.0 is a set of adaptations of the original practices to be effective under different constraints or opportunities. The principles remain the same – rainfed SRI, direct-seeded SRI, mechanized SRI, etc. SRI 3.0 is the extension and adaptation of SRI ideas and principles to other crops – wheat, ragi, sugarcane, mustard, etc. – in other words, the System of Crop Intensification. SRI 4.0 is the integration of SRI ideas and practices into farming systems, going beyond mono-cropped rice production. SRI 5.0 is the use of SRI for purposes beyond agricultural production like reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, climate-proofing crops against the hazards of climate change, improving women’s conditions of work, increasing the nutritional quality of grains and other foods, and other ‘externalities’. SRI 6.0 is the research that scrutinizes SRI practices and results to advance scientific understanding that will benefit crop science, soil science, microbiology and other disciplines. These versions are not sequential as all are currently operative, and none displaces the others. SRI has shown the prime importance of two factors: plant roots’ growth and functioning; and the soil’s life – the myriad organisms from microbes to earthworms that improve soil and crop performance. SRI seeks to elicit the genetic potentials that already exist in crop plants and in soil systems. By getting the fuller expression of this potential, SRI and SCI evoke better, more robust phenotypes from a given variety (genotype). Particularly as Indian and other farmers must cope with the adverse stresses of climate change, it will become important to grow crops with better, bigger root systems in soil systems that have greater abundance, activity, and diversity of beneficial soil organisms. This suggests that SRI and SCI alternatives will better suit the farmers’ and the country’s needs over time than past and present agricultural technologies.

SRI 1.0 and Beyond: Understanding the System of Crop Intensification as SRI 3.0

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) and the System of Crop Intensification (SCI), which has developed from SRI experience, should not be understood as technologies like those of the Green Revolution. Thinking of them as methodologies is more appropriate, in part, because they keep evolving rather than being something fixed and given. This paper reviews and organizes the many versions of rice and other crop management that have emerged from SRI, using the computer software convention of numbering successive versions with a series of ascending numbers, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, etc. SRI 1.0 is the original set of practices developed and recommended by Fr. Henri de Laulanié in Madagascar some 40 years ago. As SRI has spread to over 60 countries, they have proved to be generally quite effective. Happily, as the experience was gained with these practices, their underlying principles were discerned and systematized, as discussed in the paper. SRI 2.0 is a set of adaptations of the original practices to be effective under different constraints or opportunities. The principles remain the same – rainfed SRI, direct-seeded SRI, mechanized SRI, etc. SRI 3.0 is the extension and adaptation of SRI ideas and principles to other crops – wheat, ragi, sugarcane, mustard, etc. – in other words, the System of Crop Intensification. SRI 4.0 is the integration of SRI ideas and practices into farming systems, going beyond mono-cropped rice production. SRI 5.0 is the use of SRI for purposes beyond agricultural production like reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, climate-proofing crops against the hazards of climate change, improving women’s conditions of work, increasing the nutritional quality of grains and other foods, and other ‘externalities’. SRI 6.0 is the research that scrutinizes SRI practices and results to advance scientific understanding that will benefit crop science, soil science, microbiology and other disciplines. These versions are not sequential as all are currently operative, and none displaces the others. SRI has shown the prime importance of two factors: plant roots’ growth and functioning; and the soil’s life – the myriad organisms from microbes to earthworms that improve soil and crop performance. SRI seeks to elicit the genetic potentials that already exist in crop plants and in soil systems. By getting the fuller expression of this potential, SRI and SCI evoke better, more robust phenotypes from a given variety (genotype). Particularly as Indian and other farmers must cope with the adverse stresses of climate change, it will become important to grow crops with better, bigger root systems in soil systems that have greater abundance, activity, and diversity of beneficial soil organisms. This suggests that SRI and SCI alternatives will better suit the farmers’ and the country’s needs over time than past and present agricultural technologies.

Determinants of System of Rice Intensification Adoption and its Impacts on Rice Yield in the Upland Region of Central Vietnam

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an eco-friendly approach that aims to increase rice yield, reduce required inputs, and improve rural households' income without burdening the environment. This paper investigates the factors that influence the adoption of the SRI practice in rice production and the impact of the SRI adoption on rice yields in the upland region of Central Vietnam. Utilizing the stratified random sampling method, 239 rice farmers in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces were selected for the study. Our study employed the logit model to identify the determinants of SRI adoption and found that the age of respondents had a significant and negative effect on the adoption of SRI. In contrast, the amount of family labor, number of plots, and access to credit had significant positive effects on farmers’ decision to adopt SRI. In addition, the results showed that when rice farmers adopted SRI, their yields increased by 15.1% on average. Regarding the policy implications, the results suggest a need for a coordinated policy between the Vietnamese government and farmers to support the implementation of the SRI method in mountainous areas, especially to train farmers to use the SRI technique.

Rice Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency With System of Rice Intensification and Conventional Management Practices in Mkindo Irrigation Scheme, Tanzania

AimThis study investigated the impacts of system of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional management practice (CP) on rice growth, grain yield, and nitrogen use efficiency by nitrogen application.MethodsField experiments were conducted in wet and dry seasons; each season, the experiment was set in a split-plot randomized complete block design in triplicate with crop management practices in main plots and nitrogen levels in subplots.ResultsThe average grain yield by SRI was 7.1 and 6.7 t ha−1, while by CP it was 6.1 and 4.4 t ha−1in the wet and dry seasons, respectively. The grain yield of the SRI practice was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of the conventional practice (CP) at all levels of nitrogen application. The average yield under the treatment interaction of SRI and nitrogen levels were increased by 13.1% in the wet season and 35.8 % in the dry season. Roots of SRI plants had significantly (p < 0.05) greater fresh weight, length, and volume as indicated by increased root dry weight per hill. SRI improved crop growth, effective tillers, filled grains per panicle, grain filling rate, panicle weight, spikelet per panicle, straw yield, and 1,000-grain weight. Nitrogen application rate had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE). As the N application rate was increased beyond 90 kg N ha−1, the ANUE and partial factor productivity (PFP) under both SRI and CP were significantly decreased in both seasons.ConclusionOverall, the SRI production system with 60 kg N ha−1 improved rice growth, yield, and nitrogen use efficiency compared to the CP.

Evaluating the Suitability of System of Rice Intensification Practices for Enhancing Rice and Water Productivity in Semi-Arid Environment, Tamil Nadu, India

 
 In the world of rapid change in climate, irregular rainfall pattern tends to pose serious impact on water availability for agriculture. Rice is one of the important food crops to get affected by the low water availability because of its high water requirement. Various techniques were used in the past to mitigate low water availability and increase productivity but most techniques will improve one aspect at the expense of the other. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is being tried by many countries with several modifications based on their priorities, with the aim of enhancing productivity besides reducing the water demand for rice cultivation.  It is essential to have more insight into the individual and compounding effect of multiple components of SRI on yield, and water productivity of rice for identifying the potential and suitable SRI practices. Investigating the influence of different practices of SRI viz., planting of young and single seedlings per hill in wider spacing, water saving irrigation like Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), and weed control using cono-weeders on rice using the data obtained from the field experiment carried out during 2021 in Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India. Water productivity of rice plants under SRI were compared with conventional practices. The results revealed that plants grown with complete SRI practices had increased water productivity by 0.25 kg grain/m3 of water which is almost twice that of conventional cultivation system. The yield obtained in SRI treatments was higher about 39% than conventional treatments. The total water savings were 20 % higher in AWD treatments than continuous flooding treatments.
  
  

Unravelling the Growth Potential of Rice under Modified Rice Cultivation System in Tamil Nadu, India

There is a need for increasing rice productivity to cope up with increasing population and water shortages, especially in Tamil Nadu, India. Efforts were made in the past, mainly to increase the genetic potential of the crop, by developing high yielding varieties. However, adoption of improved agronomic practices and production technologies could further increase the productivity besides saving water. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) comprises the various altered agronomic practices and is proved to be an effective cultivation method by enhancing the rice growth and productivity. It is important to understand influence of individual practices and their combinations on rice growth and productivity for deriving the maximum growth and yield advantages of SRI features. A field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to study the growth responses of rice to different practices of SRI viz., 14 days old seedling with single seedling per hill, square planting pattern with wider spacing, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) method of irrigation and, use of cono-weeders to control weeds. It was found that planting younger seedlings with single seedling per hill greatly increased dry matter assimilation in rice plants and the use of cono-weeders encouraged the tiller production in rice. The treatments with complete SRI practices produced 3 times higher number of tillers and panicles per hill and 38.9 percent more dry matter content than conventional practices. SRI practices could be adopted by the farmers to boost the growth attributes of rice and to achieve higher rice productivity in Tamil Nadu.

Rice Productivity, Zn Biofortification, and Nutrient-Use Efficiency as Influenced by Zn Fertilization Under Conventional Transplanted Rice and the System of Rice Intensification

The northwestern Himalayas (NWH) in India have low rice productivity (∼2 t ha−1) and quality due to poor crop and nutrient management in predominantly Zn-deficient soils. Hence, a field experimentation in the NWH compared the conventionally transplanted rice (CTR) and the system of rice intensification(SRI) under three nutrient management practices (NMPs),viz., 1) farmers’ fertilization practice, FYM @ 5 t ha−1+ N:P2O5:K2O @ 50:40:20 kg ha−1(FFP); 2) recommended dose of fertilization, FYM @ 10 t ha−1+ N:P2O5:K2O @ 90:40:40 kg ha−1(RDF); and 3) RDF + Zn fertilization using ZnSO4@ 25 kg ha−1(RDF + Zn). The results revealed that SRI practice harnessed a significantly higher rice yield under different NMPs (6.59–8.69 t ha−1) with ∼1.3–1.4- and ∼3.3–4.3-fold enhancements over the CTR and average rice productivity in NWH, respectively. SRI had the greatest improvement in panicle number hill−1by ∼2.4 folds over the CTR. RDF + Zn had a significantly higher grain (10.7; 7.9%) and straw yield (28.9; 19.7%) over FFP and RDF, respectively, with significant augmentation of Zn biofortification in grains (11.8%) and Zn uptake (23.9%) over the RDF. SRI also enhanced the Zn concentrations in rice grains and straws by ∼4.0 and 2.7% over CTR with respective increases of 36.9 and 25.9% in Zn uptake. The nutrient harvest index and partial factor productivity of applied nutrients (NPK) had a higher magnitude under SRI and RDF + Zn over their respective counterparts, i.e., CTR and RDF. In addition, SRI had higher AE-Zn, CRE-Zn, and PE-Zn to the tune of 119.6, 63.4, and 34%, respectively, over the CTR. Overall, SRI coupled with RDF + Zn in hybrid rice assumes greater significance in enhancing the rice productivity with better Zn-biofortified grains besides higher nutrient use efficiencies to combat widespread malnutrition and acute Zn deficiencies in humans and livestock in the northwestern Himalayas.

Extent of Knowledge and Adoption of System of Rice Intencification (SRI) Cultivation Practices among Rice Growers in Kohima District of Nagaland, India

Rice is life for millions of people in the world, particularly in developing countries. Unfortunately in India, the productivity of rice is already very low and the area for growing rice cannot be increased further. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI), developed by Fr. Henri de Laulanie during eighties in Madagascar, offers opportunities for improving rice production in a variety of situations around the world. SRI was promoted under the “Integrated Cereal Development Programme-Rice”. Rice is also the main staple food of people in the North Eastern Region of India. The demand for rice is growing with ever-increasing population. It is the most water intensive crops and requires about 3000-5000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of rice. Nagaland is also one of the states where SRI is cultivated by the rice farmers. It is one of the most important crops of the North Eastern states and SRI has been highly cultivated by farmers in Kohima district of Nagaland. It has the highest production and area.
 The present study is an effort to study the profile of farmers’ already practicing SRI method of rice cultivation which would certainly help to develop suitable extension strategies to reach the slow adopters thus reducing the time gap and increasing the adoption rate. While worldwide SRI started three decades ago, its knowledge is still evolving and several issues with regard to various components that are involved in its implementation still need some investigation. The finding of the study can help to analyze the factors influencing it and the constraints faced by the farmers thus enlisting strategies to the rice farmers to overcome it.
 The study was conducted in Jakhama, Kohima village and Kezocha block of Kohima district of Nagaland. A total number of 120 respondents from 4 villages were selected through random sampling based on maximum area under system of rice intensification production. Data was collected with the help of pre-structured interview schedule. The descriptive research design was used for the present research study. The socio-economic variables selected for the study were age, education, family size, family type, land holding, annual income, farm experience, extension contact, social participation, mass media exposure and sources of information utilization resources
 The study revealed that majority of the system of rice intensification cultivators belonged to middle aged group, had medium level of annual income with medium size of land holding. Majority of them had medium year of farming experience, use of sources of information and medium level of extension contact. It was observed that the majority of the respondents had medium level of knowledge and adoption of recommended system of rice intensification practices among rice growers.

Heritability and genetic advancement on agronomic characters of Toraja red rice x Inpari-4 white rice genotypes

Abstract. Limbongan YL, Driyunitha, Sjahril R, Riadi M, Jamaluddin I, Okasa AM, Panga NJ. 2021. Heritability and genetic advancement on agronomic characters of Toraja red rice x Inpari-4 white rice genotypes. Biodiversitas 22: 3446-3451. Determination of genetic diversity, heritability, and genetic advance on specific agronomic characters of cross-breed red rice genotypes (Toraja red rice Pare Lea’ x Inpari-4) was done in Tallunglipu, North Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The experiment was designed using a randomized complete block design. Twenty-one days old seedlings were transplanted following the system of rice intensification practices. Selection was conducted at F2 as a novel method to speed up genetic advancement and ensure progeny production with desired agronomic traits. Results indicated existence of a considerably high level of diversity among genotypes tested, where the highest value for genetic advance was observed in filled-grain weight per hill of F2 plants (983.890), followed by plant height (335.124), and filled-grain weight per hill of F1 (306.645). The highest estimate of broad-sense heritability was recorded in 1000-grain weight (0.915), number of productive tillers (0.788), plant height (0.765), flag leaf length (0.705), filled-grain weight per hill (0.688), and harvest age (0.594). Genetic advance of agronomic characters between genotypes varied from 1.631-38%, where the highest estimate was recorded in filled-grain weight per hill (38%) and plant height (24.648%). The above-mentioned characters could be used for selection in further rice breeding programs to obtain plants with superior genotypes.

How agroecological rice intensification can assist in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACT The UN Development Program has set forth a roster of sustainable development goals (SDGs) for eradicating hunger and poverty with other consequential targets also to be achieved by 2030. Agroecological production strategies can help accomplish about half of these goals, especially SDG #2 (zero hunger) and SDG #12 (action for climate), utilizing biological processes and potentials that already exist in crop plants and in the soil systems they grow in. These potentials are not mobilized by chemical-dependent practices that create hazards for the environment and human health. An agroecological strategy, the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), has demonstrated that it can raise rice production by 25–50%, and in some cases more than 50% while lowering production costs and raising farmer incomes. Higher yield is achieved by using 25–50% less water, and SRI practices reduce net emission of greenhouse gases from paddy fields, while reducing crops’ vulnerability to the hazards of climate change. The advantages of SRI methods are being extended also to crops beyond rice, like wheat, millet, and sugarcane. SRI practices contribute to achieving other SDGs beyond reducing hunger and poverty. Government initiatives plus investments by donors can extend research and extension for SRI and other agroecological methodologies that enable growers to help achieve multiple SDGs in the next decade.

Water Use Efficiencies, Productivities, and Footprints of Rice under a System of Rice Intensification Practice

Adoption of a system of rice intensification (SRI) practice for rice production needs thorough investigation on the amount of water utilized in rice fields as water flow involves interaction of ver...