0301 understanding an opportunity to raise rice sector productivity

1. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI): Understanding an Opportunity to Raise Rice Sector Productivity Norman Uphoff, CIIFAD Cornell University, USA

2. For Centuries, Even Millennia, We Have Been ABUSING and MISTREATING the Rice Plant

We have FLOODED it drowning its roots

We have CROWDED it inhibiting the growth potential of its canopy and roots

Now we apply FERTILIZERS and chemical BIOCIDES that suppress or kill soil biota which provide many services to the plants

Bacteria, fungi, etc. provide N fixation, P solubilization, disease protection, etc.

3. The System of Rice Intensification

Evolved in Madagascar over 20-yr period by Fr. Henri de Laulani, S.J. through working with farmers, observing, doing experiments, also having some luck

SRI synthesized 20 years ago (1983-84) now spreading around the world

SRI is a set of principles and insights translated into certain practices that change the growing environment of rice to get healthier, more productive plants

These principles were developed in China as the 3S system same ideas/concepts

4. Canopy of an individual rice plant grown under SRI conditions; this variety (Swarna) is normally shy-tillering Andhra Pradesh, India, Rabi season, 2003-04

5. Roots of a single rice plant (MTU 1071) grown at Agricultural Research Station Maruteru, AP, India, Kharif 2003

6. SRI field in Sri Lanka -- yield of 13 t/ha with panicles having 400+ grains

7. CFA Camilo Cienfuegos, Cuba 14 t/ha -- Variety Los Palacios 9

8. SRI (3S) in Summary : A set of principles/methods to get more productive PHENOTYPES from any existing GENOTYPE of rice. SRI (3S) changes the management of plants, soil, water, and nutrients to (a) induce greater ROOT growth and (b) nurture more abundant and diverse populations of SOIL BIOTA

9. Plant Physical Structure and Light Intensity Distribution at Heading Stage (CNRRI Research --Tao et al. 2002)

10. Dry Matter Accumulation between SRI and Control (CK) Practices (kg/ha) at Full Heading (Zheng et al., SAAS, 2003)

11. Dry Matter Accumulation between SRI and Control (CK) Practices (kg/ha) at Maturity (Zheng et al., SAAS, 2003)

12. Table 2. Different sizes of the leaf blade (cm) (Zheng et al., SAAS, 2003) 11.98 15.95 7.96 18.49 19.11 14.97 9.79 14.59 % 0.20 8.86 0.16 9.00 0.30 9.29 0.14 8.18 +/- 1.67 55.56 2.01 48.67 1.57 62.03 1.43 56.07 CK 1.87 64.41 2.17 57.67 1.87 71.32 1.57 64.25 SRI Width Length Width Length Width Length Width Length Average Flag leaf 2 nd leaf 3 rd leaf Item

13. Figure 1. Change of leaf area index (LAI) during growth cycle (Zheng et al., 2003)

14. Different P aradigms of Production

The GREEN REVOLUTION paradigm:

(a) Change the genetic potential of plants, and

(b) Increase the use of external inputs -- more water, fertilizer, insecticides, etc.

SRI changes certain management practices for plants, soil, water and nutrients so that:

(a) Root growth is promoted , and

(b) Abundance & diversity of soil microbial populations -- also soil fauna are increased

Reduce WATER and COSTS OF PRODUCTION

15. Greatest Benefit Is not YIELD

Yield varies , often widely -- besides, for farmers, profitability is more important

From societys perspective, what is most important is factor productivity kg per land, labor, capital, and water !

Rather than focusing on yield, I want to consider possible explanations for SRI results try to advance science for rice

Some of what I say will have evidence & support -- otherwise strong hypotheses

16. SRI Practices Should Always be Varied to Suit Conditions

Four basic elements of SRI practice:

Young seedlings are used -- DS an option

Wide spacing single plants, square pattern

Soil aeration thru water management and weeding, so aerobic conditions prevail in soil

Organic matter to be enhanced in the soil fertilizer not needed if compost is used

Recommend weed control with rotating hoe

These are the basic ideas for SRI practice

17. Explanations: 1. Above-Ground Environment

Create the edge effect for the whole field

Only avoid edge effect for measurement; promote it agronomically (triangle spacing)

Too close spacing affects photosynthesis within canopy: measurements at AARD (Sukamandi, Indonesia) found that with normal spacing, lower leaves had to be subsidized by upper leaves; but wider spacing enables whole plant to contribute

18. Explanation: 2. Nitrogen Provision

Rice yields increased 40-60% when same amount of N provided equally in both NO 3 and NH 4 forms vs. when all N is provided as NH 4 (Kronzucker et al., 1998)

BNF increases greatly with alternated aerobic/anaerobic conditions (Magdoff and Bouldin, Plant and Soil , 1970)

Contributions of protozoa to N supply?

Also contributions from endophytes ?

20. Explanations: 3. Phosphorus Solubilization

This nutrient is often limiting factor

Large amounts of P in soil (90-95%) are in unavailable form

Alternating wetting and drying of soil increased P in soil solution by 85-1900% compared with soils just wet or just dry (Turner and Haygarth, Nature , May 2001)

Aerobic bacteria acquire P from unavailable sources during dry phase; during wet phase they lyse and release P into the soil solution

21. Explanations: 4. Mycorrhizal Fungi

90+% of terrestrial plants derive benefits from and even depend on mycorrhizal associations (infections)

Mycorrhizal hyphae (filaments) extend into soil and expand volume accessible to the plant by 10-100x , acquiring water, P and other nutrients , also providing protective/other services

Flooded rice forgoes these benefits

22. Explanations: 5. Phytohormones

Aerobic bacteria and fungi produce auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins , etc. in the rhizosphere

Huge literature has documented effects of microbially-produced phytohormones (e.g., Frankenberger and Arshad, 1995)

Root growth in SRI plants probably are not just due to physiological processes within the plants, but are stimulated by aerobic microorganisms? Roots are key

23. Single Cambodian rice plant transplanted at 10 days

24. Cuba -- Variety VN 2084 (Bolito) -- 52 DAP

25. Dry Matter Distribution of Roots in SRI and Conventionally-Grown Plants at Heading Stage (CNRRI research: Tao et al. 2002) Root dry weight (g)

26. Table 13: Root Length Density (cm. cm -3 ) under SRI, Modern (SRA) and Conventional Practice (from Barison, 2002) Results from replicated on-station trials 0.06 0.13 0.36 1.19 1.28 4.11 Conventional practice 0.07 0.15 0.31 0.55 0.85 3.24 SRA without fertilization 0.09 0.18 0.34 0.65 0.99 3.73 SRA with NPK and urea 0.20 0.25 0.32 0.57 0.71 3.33 SRI -- without compost 0.23 0.30 0.33 0.61 0.75 3.65 SRI -- with compost 40-50 30-40 20-30 10-20 5-10 0-5 Soil layers (cm) Treatments

27. Figure 8: Linear regression relationship between N uptake and grain yield for SRI and conventional methods, using QUEFTS modeling (from Barison, 2002) Results are from on-farm comparisons (N = 108)

28. Figure 9: Estimation of balanced N uptake for given a grain yield for rice plants with the SRI and conventional systems, using QUEFTS modeling (same for P and K) (Barison, 2002) Results are from on-farm comparisons (N = 108)

29. Root Oxygenation Ability with SRI vs. Conventionally-Grown Rice Research done at Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxianggeng 9 variety (Wang et al. 2002)

30. What Are Problems for SRI?

Labor Requirements initially more labor-intensive -- 25-50%

As farmers gain skill & experience, this is reduced, and SRI can even become labor-saving

GTZ evaluation of SRI in Cambodia: no difference in labor requirements (305 vs. 302 hrs/ha) better timing

CEDAC evaluation: 55% say easier

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

32. 4-row weeder designed by Gopal Swaminathan, Thanjavur, TN, India

33. Motorized weeder developed by S. Ariyaratna Sri Lanka

34. Adjustable-width weeder designed by Hari R., Moramanga, Madagascar (from IRRI design)

35. Labor-Saving Methods of Crop Establishment

Tray methods being developed in China, also in Cuba

Sowing/Thinning methods started in India and Sri Lanka broadcasting pregerminated seed (25 kg/ha) or young seedlings -- then weed as usual , creating wide spacing with a square pattern (sacrifice seed for labor)

36. Seeder Developed in Cuba

37. What Are Problems for SRI?

2. Water Control needed to get the best results with SRI methods

This constraint but can be reduced by investment in physical facilities or in organization and management

Most rice-growing countries will need to reduce the allocations of water for rice sector in coming yrs

SRI can help reduce water demand

38. Emerging Benefits of SRI?

1. Resistance to Abiotic Stresses climate becoming more extreme and more unpredictable

Observed resistance to drought (Sri Lanka, several years) , hurricane (Sichuan Sept. 2002) , typhoon (AP, India Dec. 2003) , cold spell (AP, India February 2004)

Resistance to lodging due to roots?

39. Two rice fields in Sri Lanka -- same variety, same irrigation system, and same drought : conventional methods (left), SRI (right)


2. Resistance to Pests and Diseases widely reported by farmers probably reflecting the protective services of soil microorganisms

3. Higher Milling Outturn by ~ 15%: SRI paddy raises outturn in India from 66 to 75%; and in Cuba, from 60 to 68-71%

Fewer unfilled grains (less chaff)

Fewer broken grains (less shattering)


4. Higher Nutritional Value of Rice?

Can have organic rice that is free from agrochemical residues

Quite possibly also higher nutritional quality in terms of micronutrients needs to be evaluated scientifically

Larger root system gives higher grain weight (usually 5-15% higher), also greater grain density and nutrients?


5. Conservation of Rice Biodiversity ?

Highest SRI yields come with HYVs and hybrids all of the yields >15 t/ha

Traditional / local varieties respond very well to SRI, can produce yields of 6-10 t/ha, and even more

Traditional rice receives higher price; higher SRI yields make them popular; organic premium is good for export

44. SRI sounds ILLOGICAL

BUT LESS CAN PRODUCE MORE by utilizing biological potentials & processes

Smaller, younger seedlings become larger, more productive mature plants

Fewer plants per hill and per m 2 will give higher yield if used with other SRI practices

Half as much water produces more rice because aerobic soil conditions are better

Greater output is possible with use of

fewer or even no external/chemical inputs

Get a different phenotype from rice genome

45. SRI RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN WE HAVE ANSWERS FOR

This should please scientists lot of interesting new work ahead

At present, Chinese scientists have done more scientific research on SRI than anybody else

Hope to accelerate this and link with more work around the world

46. SRI Experience Could Help to Us to Improve 21 st Century Agriculture

Nurturing of roots and soil biota is relevant for most of agriculture

Need agriculture that is

Less thirsty -- better roots will help

Less dependent on fossil-fuel energy sources -- fertilizer, mechanization

Less dependent on agrochemicals -- for sake of soil & water quality, for health

47. Thank You for Opportunity to Share Ideas With You

More information can be obtained from SRI web site:

http://ciifad.cornell.edu/sri/

Or from Association Tefy Saina:

[email_address]

Or from CIIFAD/Norman Uphoff:

[email_address]

50. SRI Data from Sri Lanka

SRI Usual

Yields (tons/ha) 8.0 4.2 +88%

Market price (Rs/ton) 1,500 1,300 +15%

Total cash cost (Rs/ha) 18,000 22,000 -18%

Gross returns (Rs/ha) 120,000 58,500 +105%

Net profit (Rs/ha) 102,000 36,500 +180%

Family labor earnings Increased with SRI

Water savings ~ 40-50%

Data from Dr. Aldas Janaiah, IRRI agric. economist, 1999-2002; now at Indira Gandhi Development Research Institute in Mumbai; based on interviews conducted with 30 SRI farmers in Sri Lanka, October, 2002

51. IWMI Data from Sri Lanka

IWMI Evaluation (Namara, Weligamage, Barker 2003)

60 SRI and 60 non-SRI farmers randomly selected:

YIELD -- increased by 50% on average (not doing full SRI)

WATER PRODUCTIVITY -- increased by 90%

COST OF PRODUCTION (Rs./kg) -- lower by 111-209% with family labor, 17-27%at standard wage rate

LABOR PRODUCTIVITY (kg/hr) -- up 50% in yala (dry) season, up 62% in maha (wet) season

PROFITABILITY -- increased by 83-206%, depending on the wage assumed (family labor vs. paid labor)

RISK REDUCTION -- conventional farmers had net losses in 28% of seasons, SRI farmers in only 4%

53. SRI CONCEPTS CAN BE EXTENDED TO UPLAND PRODUCTION Results of trials (N=20) by Philippine NGO, Broader Initiatives for Negros Development, with Azucena local variety (4,000 m 2 area) -- using mulch as main innovation, not young plants

54. (1) ROOT SYSTEM PROMOTION

SRI is becoming referred to in India (AP) as the root revolution -- key factor

Roots benefit from wider plant spacing, aerated soil, more soil organic matter --from both compost and root exudation

Roots are supported by more abundant and diversified populations of soil biota -- bacteria and viruses produce PGRs

Plants are two-way streets , coevolved w/ microorganisms, dependent on them

55. SRI farmer in Cambodia

56. SRI farmer in Cuba -- 14 t/ha

57. Root Research Reported by Dr. Ana Primavesi (1980)

Shoot and root growth of maize (in g) grown in hydroponic solutions (14 days), with varying nutrient concentrations

Shoot Root

100% concentration 44 7



2% concentration when 43 56 changed every other day

58. (2) Contribution of SOIL MICROBIAL PROCESSES

Microbial activity is known to be crucial factor in soil fertility

The microbial flora causes a large number of biochemical changes in the soil that largely determine the fertility of the soil. (DeDatta,1981, p. 60, emphasis added)

59. Bacteria, funguses, protozoa, amoeba, actinomycetes, etc.

Decompose organic matter , making nutrients available

Acquire nutrients otherwise unavailable to plant roots

Improve soil structure and health -- water retention, soil aggregation, aeration, pathogen control, etc.

60. Known Processes

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) ** -- also productivity from mix of NO 3 > all NH 4

Phosphorus (P) solubilization **

Nutrient acquisition increases through mycorrhizal fungi associations with roots

Rhizobia bacteria produce hormones promoting root growth - increase yield, protein

Protozoa graze on bacteria on roots and excrete excess N -- because of lower C:N ratio

* * Both increased by wetting and drying of soil

61. (3) Impact of Transplanting YOUNG SEEDLINGS

Big effect from transplanting seedlings 8-12 days old = during the 2nd or 3rd phyllochron, before 4th phyllochron (explained by T. Katayama, 1920s-30s)

Avoid trauma to rice plant, especially to its roots , for maximum growth trajectory

DIRECT SEEDING is possible, however -- being experimented with to save labor

63. Effect of Young Seedlings

@ Anjomakely Clay Soil Loam Soil

SS/20/3/NPK 3.00 2.04

SS/ 8 /3/NPK 7.16 3.89

SS/ 8 / 1 /NPK 8.13 4.36

AS / 8 /3/NPK 8.15 4.44

AS / 8 /3/ Comp 6.86 3.61

SS/ 8 / 1 / Comp 7.70 4.07

AS / 8 / 1 /NPK 8.77 5.00

AS / 8 / 1 / Comp 10.35 6.39

Note: All of these averages are for 6 replicated trials

64. Effects of SRI vs. Conventional Practices Comparing Varietal and Soil Differences

65. Conclusions

SRI taps available genetic potentials

The methods can be most accessible to the poor to improve food security , but gaining with large farmers (44 ha)

The methodology is environmentally friendly and economically profitable

SRI still raises more questions than answers -- contribute to new paradigm?

SRI is still evolving , through farmer innovation and research evaluations

66. Conclusions (continued)

SRI work proceeding on 2 tracks :

Farmer/NGO experimentation/extension

Scientific investigations/evaluations

SRI experience may have implications for improving other crop production :

Improve the ROOT GROWTH of crops

Support SOIL BIOTA for plants benefit

SRI could contribute to a post-modern agriculture -- most modern agriculture because based on biological sciences

67. Conclusions (continued)

SRI is not finished -- still evolving, changing, spreading, so it is premature to make final judgment or evaluation

SRI methods will not be suitable everywhere -- but not a niche innovation; suitable in all 22 districts of Andhra Pradesh

SRI is not speculation -- not wishful thinking -- but a FACT

Question is: what use will be made of these new insights and opportunities?

68. Spread of SRI in Asia

69. Spread of SRI in Africa

Madagascar : now 50,000-100,000 farmers, average about 6-8 t/ha, some double or more

Sierra Leone : 2.5 5.3 t/ha for 160 farmers

The Gambia : 2.5 7.4 t/ha for 10 farmers

Benin : 1.6 7.5 t/ha in controlled trial

Guinea : 2.5 9.4 t/ha (hybrid + SRI)

Interest in, but no results yet from: Ethiopia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda

70. Spread of SRI in Latin America

Cuba : average 8-9 t/ha; INCA trial 12 t/ha; a number of farmers have reached 14 t/ha

Peru : initial problems with drought, frost; 2003 results 9-11 t/ha vs. current average of 6 t/ha ( not profitable given costs of production)

Interest in, but no results yet from: Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Venezuela

0301 understanding an opportunity to raise rice sector productivity

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