1. An Opportunity for Africa: The System of Rice Intensification (SRI)[le Syst mede Riziculture Intensive] Norman Uphoff, Cornell International Institutefor Food, Agriculture and Development (CIIFAD) Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

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

We have FLOODED it drowning itsroots

We have CROWDED it inhibiting thegrowth potentialof its canopy and roots

Now we apply various FERTILIZERS and chemical BIOCIDES affecting thesoil biotawhich providevaluable servicesto plants:N fixation, P solubilization, protection against diseases and abiotic stresses, etc.

3. SRI Offers an Opportunity to Raise Rice Production Significantly

Increasingyieldby 50-100% or more:

Withoutchanging varietiesor requiring purchase of new seeds(any variety works)

Without requiringpurchase of fertilizersincecompostcan give better results

Using 25-50%less waterif irrigating rice, or adapting SRI forrainfedcultivation

No need foragrochemicalsbecause SRI plants are reasonably resistant to pests and diseases

4. SRI Sounds Too Good to be True But It Offers Real Advantages

SRI utilizesbasic biological processes and dynamicsto evoke amore productive PHENOTYPEfromany rice genotype

It does this bychanging the waythat PLANTS, SOIL, WATER and NUTRIENTS aremanaged changing practices that are centuries-old, but yield-constraining

SRI results can be explained based onsolid scientific knowledge but we are not proposing itsadoption- only itsevaluation

5. Asingle rice plantgrown with SRI methods from a single seed (Swarna), in Andhra Pradesh, India, 2003-04 season 6. Roots of asingle rice plant(MTU 1071)grown at Agricultural Research Station Maruteru, AP, India, 2003 season Roots are the key to SRI success 7. SRI field in Sri Lanka -- yield of 13 t/ha with some panicles having 400+ grains 8. CFA Camilo Cienfuegos, Cuba 14 t/ha -- Variety Los Palacios 9 former yield on this field was 6 t/ha 9. SRI field in Ambatovy, Madagascar with traditional variety 10. The System of Rice Intensification

Was evolved in Madagascar over 20 yrs byFr. Henri de Laulani, S.J. working with farmers, observing, experimenting, also having some luck in 1983-84 season

SRI is now spreading in countries around the world: positive results already in 21

Association Tefy Sainawas set up in 1990 by Fr. de Laulani and Malagasy friends to promote SRI and rural and human development in Madagascar; ATS has been cooperating with CIIFAD since 1994

11. Fr. de Laulani not long before he died in 1995 12. Sebastien Rafaralahy and Justin Rabenandrasana, president and secretary of Association Tefy Saina 13. SRI in Summary :

A set ofprinciples/methodsthat getmore productivePHENOTYPES fromany existing GENOTYPEof rice.

SRIchanges the managementofplants, soil, water, and nutrients:

(a) To induce greater ROOT growth

(b) To nurturemore abundant and diversepopulations of SOIL BIOTA

14. SRI Practices Should Always be Varied to Suit Conditions

The fourbasic practicesof SRI:

Young seedlings ( < 15 days ) are used though direct-seeding is becoming an option

Wide spacingsingle plants, in square pattern

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

Organic matter is added to enhance the soil if enough compost is used, fertilizer not needed

Weed controlwith rotating hoe is recommended

15. Simple mechanical push-weeder called rotating hoe which aerates the soil while it eliminates weeds 16. Weeding of SRI fields in Madagascar, aerating the soil to stimulate root and plant growth 17. All Organisms ArePhenotypes

i.e., the result ofinteractionbetween genetic potential and environment

SRI practices change thegrowing environmentfor rice plants with wider spacing to encourage growth of canopy and roots; aeration of soil to encourage the growth of roots and soil organisms

Most evidence ofphenotypical changecomes from Chinese research: here are examples of research findings

18. Plant Physical Structure andLight Intensity Distributionat Heading Stage (CNRRI Research --Tao et al. 2002) 19. Dry Matter Accumulation between SRI and Control (CK) Practices(kg/ha) at Maturity (Zheng et al., SAAS, 2003) 20. Table 2. Different Sizes of the Leaf Blade (cm) with SRI Practices (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 ndleaf 3 rdleaf Prac-tice 21. Figure 1. Change of leaf area index (LAI) during growth cycle (Zheng et al., 2003) 22. Different P aradigmsof Production

The GREEN REVOLUTIONparadigm:

(a) Changed thegenetic potentialof plants, and

(b) Increased the use ofexternal inputs-- more water, fertilizer, insecticides, etc.

SRI changes certainmanagement practices for plants, soil, water and nutrients, in order to:

(A) Promotethe growth of root systems , and

(B) Increase theabundance and diversityof

soil organisms ,at the same time that they

(C ) Reducewater use and cost of production

23. Greatest Benefit Is notYIELD

Yield can vary, often widely; for farmers,profitabilityis more important

From societys perspective, what is most important isfactor productivity kg of rice perland, labor, capital, and water

No question any longer ofwhetherSRI methods give higher yields/productivity but ratherhow to explainthese changes

For some things, we haveevidence ; for others,strong hypothesesfrom literature

24. SRI Results Reportedfrom Africa to Date 25. First Results, thru 2002 Controlled trial 7.5 t/ha 1.6 t/ha Benin(2002) Same farms 7.4 t/ha 2.5 t/ha (10 farmers) The Gambia (2001) World Vision5.3 t/ha 2.5 t/ha (8 villages) Sierra Leone (2001) Max. yield of 21 t/ha 8 t/ha2 t/haNatl. ave. Madagascar (1990 - ) Comments SRI Yield Comparison Yield 26. 27. More Recent ResultsControlled trials 9-11 t/ha 4-5 t/ha Senegal (2004) Thesis trials 3-8 t/ha (saline soil) 3 t/ha (good soil) Mozam-bique (2004) With hybrid rice 9.4 t/ha1.8 t/ha(natl. ave.) Guinea (2003) Comments SRI Yield Comparison Yield 28. What Are the Negatives? 29. There must be some, but they are few:

The main constraint has been SRI s initiallabor intensity while farmers learn methods

This isreceding as a constraint ; it is mostly a problem for first several weeks or seasons

• GTZ evaluation in Cambodia (N = 400) showed little increase (305 vs. 302 hrs/ha) -- and better timing

• IWMI evaluation in Sri Lanka (N = 120) showedlabor productivityto be increased by 50-62%,with just partial use of SRI methods;SRI labor pays

Farmer innovationis helping to reduce labor requirements; more innovations will come;SRI can even becomelabor savingover time

30. Roller-marker devised by Lakshmana Reddy, East Godavari, AP, India, to mark a square pattern on field and save time in transplanting operations; his yield in 2003-04 season was 16.2 t/ha paddy rice (dry weight) 31. 4-row weeder designed by Gopal Swaminathan, Thanjavur, TN, India 32. Seeder Developed in Cuba 33. Other Negatives

Water control is needed for best results --this constraint can often be solved by better infrastructure and/or organizationSRI will make such investmentspay

Some yield improvement without water control

F armer learning and skillare needed, but this is abenefitas well as a cost

Disadoptionhas been reported as a problem, but only in Madagascar so far

Nematodescan be a problem(e.g., Thailand)

34. SRI Has Been Called aNiche Innovation

(Dobermann,Agricultural Systems , 2004) but there isno systematic evidenceto support this claim

CHINA: SRI is adding 2-3 t/ha to yields in the north (Heilongjiong), south (Guizhou), east (Zhejiang) andwest (Sichuan)

INDIA: Similarly, SRI added 2-3 t/ha across all 22 districts in Andhra Pradesh State, all having varying conditions

SRI is not finished yet still evolving, still improving

Already there are a number ofexplanationsthat are supported by data or that can be hypothesized basedon the scientific literature

35. Biological Explanations Not all of these may prove to be correct -- but they provide more than enough scientific basis for SRI credibility 36. 1 stExplanation? Above-Ground Environment

SRI creates the edge effect for whole field

Should avoid this only for measurement;should promote it agronomically

Too-close spacing affectsphotosynthesiswithin the canopy: measurements in Indonesia found that with normal spacing,lower leaveswere being subsidized by the upper leaves; wider spacing enables thewhole plantto contribute

37. 2nd Explanation? Nitrogen Provision

Rice yields were increased 40-60% when thesame amountof N is providedequallyin both NO 3 andNH 4formsvs. whenall N is provided as NH 4(Kronzucker et al.,Plant Physiol. , 1998)

Biological N fixation(BNF) increases greatly with alternated aerobic/anaerobic conditions (Magdoffand Bouldin,Plant and Soil , 1970)

Protozoacan contribute significantly to N supply (Bonkowski,New Phytologist , 2004)

Endophytes(bacteria living in plant tissues,as symbionts, not parasites) also contribute

38. 39. 3rd Explanation?Phosphorus Solubilization

This nutrient is often limiting factor, but

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

Alternating wetting and drying of soilincreased 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 theylyse and release P into the soil solution

40. 4 thExplanation?Mycorrhizal Fungi

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

Mycorrhizal hyphae extend into soil and expand volume accessible to the plant by10-100x ,acquiringwater, P and other nutrients ; they also provide protective/other services to plants

Flooded riceforgoes these benefits

41. 5 thExplanation? Phytohormones

Aerobic bacteria and fungi produceauxins, 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 isnot due just to physiological processeswithin the plants --stimulated by aerobic microorganisms?Roots are key to SRI

42. Single Cambodianrice plant transplantedwhen 10-day-old seedling 43. Cuba Two rice plants: same variety (VN 2084) and same age (52days); 42 tillers on SRI plant vs. 5 tillers on the other 44. Dry Matter Distribution of Roots in SRI and Conventionally-Grown Plants at Heading Stage(CNRRI research: Tao et al. 2002) Root dry weight (g) 45. 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 SRAwithout fertilization 0.09 0.18 0.34 0.65 0.99 3.73 SRAwith 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 46. Root Oxygenation Ability with SRIvs. Conventionally-Grown Rice Research done at Nanjing Agricultural University, Wuxianggeng 9 variety (Wang et al. 2002) 47. Figure 8: Linear regression relationship between N uptakeand grain yield for SRI andconventional methods,using QUEFTS modeling (from Barison, 2002)Results are from on-farm comparisons (N = 108) 48. Figure 9: Estimation of balanced N uptake for given a grain yield for rice plants withthe SRI and conventional systems,using QUEFTS modeling (same for P and K) (Barison, 2002) Results are from on-farm comparisons (N = 108) 49. Emerging Benefits from SRI These Should Be EvaluatedUnder Various Circumstances 50.

1. Resistance toAbiotic Stressesthe climate is becoming more extreme and more unpredictable, prepare for it

Observed SRI resistance to

• drought (Sri Lanka, several years)

• hurricane (Sichuan Sept. 2002)

• typhoon (AP, India Dec. 2003)

• cold spell (AP, India February 2004)

Resistance tolodgingprobably due to greater root growth -- roots degeneratein continuously flooded soil

51. Two rice fields in Sri Lanka -- same variety, same irrigation system, andsame drought: conventional methods (left), SRI (right) 52.

2. Resistance toPests and Diseases widely reported by farmers this probably reflects theprotective servicesof soil microorganisms

3. GreaterMilling Outturn ~ 15%:SRI paddy has66 to 75% higher outturn in India; in Cuba, from 60 to 68-71%; adds to paddy yield

Fewerunfilled grains(less chaff)

Fewerbroken grains(less shattering)

53. MEASURED DIFFERENCES IN GRAIN QUALITY CharacteristicSRI (3 spacings)ConventionalDiff. Paper by Prof. Ma Jun, Sichuan Agricultural University, presented at 10th conference on Theory and Practice for High-Quality, High-Yielding Rice in China, Haerbin, 8/2004 + 17.5 38.87 - 39.99 41.81 - 50.84 Head milled rice (%) + 16.1 41.54 - 51.46 53.58 - 54.41 Milled rice outturn (%) - 65.7 6.74 - 7.17 1.02 - 4.04 General chalkiness (%) - 30.7 39.89 - 41.07 23.62 - 32.47 Chalky kernels (%) 54. Emerging Benefits of SRI?

4. HigherNutritional/Health Value ?

SRI can be organic rice that is free from agrochemical residues

Possibly SRI has higher nutritional quality in terms ofmicronutrients this should be evaluated scientifically

Larger root systems give higher grain weight and greater grain density, soalso greater nutrient density?

55. Emerging Benefits of SRI?

5. Conservation of RiceBiodiversity ?

Highest SRI yields come with HYVs and hybrids (all SRI yields >15 t/ha)

Buttraditional/local varietiesrespond very well to SRI practice; can produce yields of 6-10 t/ha, and even more

Traditional rices receivehigher price; higher yield with SRI makes them popular

Get anorganic premiumfor export?

56. 57. LESSCAN PRODUCEMORE

byutilizingbiological potentials & processes

Smaller, younger seedlings becomelarger, more productive mature plants

Fewer plants per hill and per m 2will givehigher yieldif used with other SRI practices

Half as much water producesmore rice because aerobic soil conditions are better

Greater outputis possiblewith use of

fewer or evenno external/chemical inputs

Changes in management practices givedifferent phenotypes fromrice genomes

58. SRI STILL RAISESMORE QUESTIONSTHANWE HAVE ANSWERS FOR

There are many researchable questions to be taken up by scientists, in association with farmers and extension personnel

But enough is known to pursue atwo-pronged strategy : research and practice can proceedin parallel

59. Evaluating SRI Should be Low-Cost and without Any Evident Hazards

SRI requires no purchases to try(except rotating hoes if possible) justchanges in practices

No chemicals are used, and there is no genetic modification involved

SRI can be tested and demonstrated on a small part of farmers fields guarantee can be given of no loss

60. SRI Experience Could HelpImprove 21 stCentury Agriculture

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

We need an agriculture that is

• Less thirsty-- better roots will help

• Less dependent on fossil-fuel energysources -- fertilizer, mechanization

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

61. SRI Concepts Have Been Extrapolated toUpland Rice

In Madagascar, using mulch after directly planted seeds had emerged (plus wider spacing, organic inputs, etc.), an unirrigated yield of4 t/haobtained on farmers field in 1999

In Philippines, similar methods without chemical fertilizer obtained average yield of7.2 t/hain 2002 on an upland unirrigated area of 4000 m 2

62. SRI CONCEPTS CAN BE EXTENDED TOUPLAND PRODUCTION Results of trials (N=20) by the Philippine NGO,Broader Initiatives for Negros Development, withAzucenalocal variety (four replications -- 4,000 m 2area, usingmulchas main innovation, not young plants) 63. CAN WE CONTINUE TO RELY SO HEAVILY ON N FERTILIZE? To raise world rice production by 60% by 2030,N fertilizer applications will need to be tripledbecause ofdiminishing returnsto fertilizer use(Cassman et al., 1998)

Who believes this isfeasible ?

Who believes this isdesirable ?

Would it beeconomically possible ?

Would it beenvironmentally sustainable ?

SRI suggests that dependingmore on biology and less on chemistry may be effective at least this option should be investigated

64. 65. 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

66. IWMI Data from Sri Lanka

IWMI Evaluation (Namara, Weligamage, Barker 2004)

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, and 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%

67. Contribution of SOIL MICROBIAL PROCESSES

Microbial activity is known to be a crucial factor in soil fertility

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

68. 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.

69. PHYLLOCHRONS

The reason whytransplanting young seedlingsenhances crop yield is that transplanting should occurduring the 2 ndor 3 rdphyllochron of growth , before tillering and root growth begin their acceleration.

Transplantingafter about the 15 thdaywill cause greater trauma to the plant and affect its growth trajectory.

70. CAREFUL TRANSPLANTING

Is akey elementof SRI methodology

Traumato the roots:

• from beinguprooted crudelyfrom nursery,

• from beingleft in the sunto dry (dessicate),

• from havingsoil knocked of the roots ,

• from being planted inhypoxic flooded soil

reduces growth potential of the plants

Gentle, careful transplantingis crucial,not inverting the root tip upwardsas this delays the resumption of growth

71. PHYLLOCHRONS

were discovered in 1920s and 1930s by a Japanese scientist,T. Katayama

They arean interval of plant growth , found in all grass family grains (rice, wheat, etc.) a repeating period in whichone or more phytomers(units of a leaf, a root and a tiller) emerge from the apical meristem

Fr. de Laulanie came serendipitously upon the value of transplanting during the window of opportunity during 2 ndor 3 rdphyllochron to capitalize on the rice plants full potential

72. 73. 74. Effects of SRI vs. Conventional Practices Comparing Varietal and Soil Differences 75. Spread of SRI in Asia 76. Spread of SRI in Africa

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

Sierra Leone : 2.55.3 t/ha for 160 farmers

The Gambia : 2.57.4 t/ha for 10 farmers

Benin : 1.67.5 t/ha in controlled trial

Guinea : 2.59.4 t/ha (hybrid + SRI)

Mozambique:good soils 3saline soils 3-8 t/ha

Senegal:4-59-11 t/ha (FAO trials)

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

77. 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 of6 t/ha ( not profitable given costs of production)

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

78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. . 84. 85. Contact Information

SRI home page on the Internet/Web:http:// ciifad.cornell.edu/sri /

E-mail communication:[email_address](esp. French)

[email_address](esp. English)