SRI in Orissa - Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture ...

Area (m ha)/production (m tons)
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
2000-01
Fig. 4.2: All-India rice scenario
2001-02
2002-03
Area
Production
Yield
Linear (Yield)
Linear (Production)
Linear (Area)
Conceptual Base and Global Scenario
2003-04
Periods
SRI technique does not claim to be a novel concept; rather
it has been emanated from some earlier practices. Several
studies have reported likely ideas in rice cultivation in
either of the ways. During early sixties, concept of clonal/
vegetative propagation was introduced in the Central
Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, where rice roots were
given much emphasis for stand establishment. Later on
SRI technique has been called as ‘root revolution’ or ‘one
grain rice revolution’ in rice cultivation. Another concept
of crop establishment, skip row methods of planting also
indicates advantages of leaving inter-row spaces within
the crop configuration to encourage crop growth. In this
regard, edge/boarder effects on plot yield was obvious,
which shows higher yields in crops grown adjacent to
the field boundaries than that obtained from the crops
grown inside the plot. Keeping those views into account,
it can be inferred that explanation for yield benefit in SRI
has been underlying within some age old management
practices.
Now SRI is in practice in countries like China, Indonesia,
Cambodia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Cuba.
Like other rice – growing regions, India had a rather
delayed start, somewhere during 2002. As per literature
goes, Tamil Nadu has initiated SRI for the first time in
India during 2001-02. There, it was coined as ‘Thirunthia
Nel Sakupadi’ (transformed rice cultivation) and ‘Ottrai
Naatu Nadavu’ (single seedling method). At present,
SRI technique has got access in almost all rice growing
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
Yield (q/ha)
regions in the country like Andhra Pradesh, Orissa,
Karnataka, West Bengal, Puducherry, Gujarat, Kerala,
Tripura, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Important Considerations and Package of
Practices
Following are the important considerations, which can help
us conceptualise the SRI methodology:
• Rice is neither an aquatic nor even hydrophilic plant, it
is better to say water-tolerant.
• In SRI methodology, the uptake of nutrient should be a
demand-led rather than a supply-driven process.
• The principle of ‘feed the soil, it will feed the plant’ may
hold true in SRI technique.
• Rice plant growth can be usefully analysed and
promoted in terms of phyllocrons, not merely growth
phases.
• Nutrient management relies more on organic sources
than synthetic/chemical sources.
• No need of ponding the field with 5-8 cm. standing
water always, rather soil should be kept saturated
always, except 5 cm. standing water during seedling
establishment, tillering, flowering and grain filling
stage.
• Below, surface soil (hidden treasury) plays a vital role
than above surface emphasising more attention to soil
microbial constituent.
The following packages of practices are the major
determinant for boosting the yield in SRI methodology:
• Special type of nursery bed preparation using a mixture
of soil, FYM and SSP at 2:2:1 ratio.
• Careful uprooting of tiny seedlings without disturbing/
stripping off the tender roots.
• Main land preparation to a soft-muddy appearance.
• Adequate drainage facility allowing no stagnant water.
• Making the grid of square planting at 25 cm. X 25 cm.
configuration.
• Transplanting young seedling of 9-12 days old along
with intact soil.
• Provide irrigation only to saturate the soil, moisture and
stop irrigation after milk stage.
• Nutrient management with FYM @ 10 t/ha and NPK-
40,20,20; from third year onwards.
• Application of synthetic fertilisers should be avoided.
• Bio control of insects, pests and diseases or very less
application of pesticides.
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Towards a Learning Alliance: SRI in Orissa