SYSTEM OF RICE INTENSIFICATION (SRI)

The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a method of rice cultivation adopted from Madagascar. It requires a very low seed rate (5–6 kg/ ha) i.e., only 10–20 % of existing seed rates (50–60 kg/ ha) and less water. It is peculiar in that –

• Seedlings are transplanted at the two leaf stage, i.e., when only 10–15 days old.
• Seedlings are planted singly rather than in clumps (two or more).
• Spacing is wider: 25 x 25 cm About 3 cm water is retained in the field during flowering but is drained 20 days before harvesting is to begin.
• Organic inputs: vermicompost @ 1000 kg/ha during transplantation.

Transplanting and cultivation method

To maintain spacing and to guide the person transplanting, use a PVC pipe marker. After one month, do weeding and apply a dose of sanjeevani mixture (10 kg cow dung and 10 litre cow urine, fermented for four days).

One month after the first weeding, a second weeding is done and another dose of sanjeevani mixture is applied. Moist but unflooded condition of soil is maintained by applying water and draining excess water.

• On an average, 25–30 tillers per seedling are observed.
• Three vermiwash sprayings are done as per the schedule below:
  • 1st: 10% vermiwash – 15 days after transplanting
  • 2nd: 10% vermiwash – 20 days after the first spray
  • 3rd: 5% vermiwash – during flowering stage

Benefits of SRI

• Seed rate is extremely low (when compared with conventional practice): 10–20 %
• Water requirement is much less as well, i.e., 35–40% of present practices.
• No chemical fertilizers are required – only organic compost and vermicompost need to be used to get better yields. Cost of production decreases by about 30–40%.
• Local varieties can be used which saves on seed purchase cost and reduces risk of pest attacks.
• Mortality of plants is very low (5%).
• Each seedling gives out about 16–22 panicles.

Source : Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, Chennai

Updated on : Dec 2014