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

SRI Practices at Nariso
Seed Variety
Our SRI farmers use traditional rice seed varieties such
as Jeera Dhan, Solari, Govindbhog, Pimpudibas, Prachi,
Bidulata and many such varieties that are appropriate for
medium land with duration of 125-135 days. Though SRI
recommends seed 2 kg/acre in practice we use 3 kg/acre to
meet germination hazards.
Seed Bed
Seed beds are raised close to the SRI field. Farmers spread
banana leaves on the ground, and put thoroughly mixed
earth and FYM (1:1) on the leaves (4” height). They soak rice
seed for 24 hours in water. They remove water completely
and smear the wet seed with cow urine (200ml/3 kg.
seed) to enhance germination and save the future crop
from pest or diseases. Wet seed is kept on a jute sack for
15-20 hours. The seed just begins to sprout by this time. The
seed is then thinly spread on the seed bed and FYM covers the
seed (half inch height). The method gives vigorous growth
of seedlings and they gain a height of 12-15 cm. on the
eight day spreading thus quite ready for transplantation.
Field Preparation
Dry soil ploughing is conducted twice. This helps to expose
earth to sunlight and air and the field is made immune to pest
and diseases. Puddling and levelling operation is completed
just before transplantation, leaving 0.5 cm. water standing
over the soil after levelling. This helps transplantation and
saving roots and foliage of young seedlings.
Manuring
Whole of FYM (farm yard manure) or compost, neem or
Karanj oil cake and a few baskets of earth soaked with cow
urine (5 baskets/acre) are put on the field at least a week
before puddling operation. Bio-fertiliser is rarely available
at our place. I bring it from Agriculture Department and
besides using in my field I provide it to other farmers. As
medium land is very much suitable for SRI, we use Azoto
bactor and Soluble Phosphorous Bactor (SPB) 2 kg. and
1 kg. respectively. Bio-fertiliser is thoroughly mixed with old
FYM 24 hours before incorporation in the field and is kept
in a shady place covered with a wet jute sack. This helps
multiplying available micro-organisms in the stock.
Transplanting
Young seedlings of 8-12 days are carried to the nearby field
in baskets. They are not uprooted. They are removed from
the seed bed along with base material and are individually
separated in the rice field with at most care not to damage
baby roots. We use rope and stick for marking. Coil rope
is marked at every 25 cm. length and two sticks of 25 cm.
length each are used to keep the width of rows uniformly.
Initially the process was found very much labour intensive.
Farmers and field workers did not feel comfortable to follow
the method. However with experience from 2 - 3 seasons
they are now skilled. Now transplantation needs 12-15
labour days/acre. Seed separation is managed by the workers
during plantation. We dip the seedling straight about one
inch in the soil.
Water Management
Canal irrigation is available in our locality. 15-20 mm water
stands on the SRI field for a week after transplantation.
Water is drained out and filled in the field alternatively at
8-10 days interval. In no case the height of the standing
water will be more than 25 mm. In such case emergence
of tillerings shall be arrested and root rotting may spoil the
plant. Only wet fields help multiplying tillering number.
Such practice continues till the inception of panicles that
can be visible on the plant. Standing water to the height
of 30-35mm is essential for emergence of healthy panicles
and ripening of grains. Water is drained out of SRI field
when 60% of grain is ripe.
Weeding
We conduct weeding at 15 days interval for the first
45 days of transplanting after 12-15 days from the date
of transplanting. Initially we used an improvised bamboo
weeder. It did not work effectively. Now SPARD has
purchased a metallic weeder (rotating) from CRRI, Cuttack.
Farmers use the weeder as and when they need mutually.
Field is completely drained out before weeding. It helps good
aeration and rapid and luxuriant root growth. Fundamental
concept and science of SRI is root growth and so we name
the practice as the ‘Root Revolution’.
Management of Pest & Diseases
Traditional variety of rice and organic method of farming
does not allow pest or disease in the field. Use of neem/
Karanj oil cake and cow urine is enough to make the field
free from pest or disease.
Field Experience and Result
Till now we have been able to grow 57 tillerings/hill. Ninety
percent of the tillerings are seen effective tillers and hold
My Experiments with SRI 63