System of Rice Intensification in China:

Research Dynamic and Innovative Adaptations

Zhoucen Feng and Erika Styger

SRI International Network and Resources Center (SRI-Rice)

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University

Ithaca, NY, USA

Presentation at the International Rice Congress (IRC), Bangkok, Thailand

October 31, 2014

Objectives

Review of SRI research in China

Little is known to the rest of the world due to

language barrier

What has been done?

Where has it been done?

Who has been doing it?

Research topics and findings

Adaptations

Research Method

CNKI (www.cnki.net)

China Knowledge Resource Integrated

Database

Academic literature database

Search with key word “水稻强化栽培” (“System

of Rice Intensification” in Chinese)

Read, categorize, and analyze articles found

A brief history of SRI in China

1999: First SRI trial at Nanjing Agricultural University

2001: Dr. Longping Yuan published a review paper on SRI

2002: First International SRI Conference in Sanya, Hainan

Collection of research publications by 2013

313 journal articles

13 dissertations

11 in conference proceedings

Large number of published SRI studies

in academic journals By 2013:

313 journal articles

244 research articles

219 on field experiments

25 reviews

576 worldwide in total

69 technical

recommendations

In 72 journals

Peak in 2005

Increasing ratio over time of

technical recommendations

to research work

2 7

24

38 44

38

27 20

13 11 6 6 8

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

20

01

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

20

10

20

11

20

12

20

13

Number of Journal Articles on SRI

Published in China

Research Articles

Technical Recommendation

Evolution of SRI Article Content

Phase 1: Research

Studying the yield effects and influencing factors when applying SRI methods

Studying physiological processes associated with SRI and their influence on yield

Phase 2: Application

Delivering technical recommendations for specific farming conditions

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Number of Journal Articles on

SRI in China

Research Articles

Technical Recommendation

Where has SRI been studied?

93 Experiment

sites in all 19 rice-

producing

provinces

Trials concentrate

in a few provinces

2 leading

provinces:

Zhejiang, Sichuan

1

1

1

1

1

2

2

4

4

4

6

7

9

10

11

11

14

44

89

Hubei

Yunan

Fujian

Ningxia

Xinjiang

Hainan

Henan

Jiangsu

Heilongjiang

Shanghai

Anhui

Jiangxi

Guangdong

Chongqing

Guangxi

Hunan

Guizhou

Sichuan

Zhejiang

No. SRI Experiments by Province

(2001-2013)

SRI Experiment Sites in China

Who has been studying SRI?

Institutions

Universities and research institutes

Department of Agriculture

Agricultural extension services

Seed companies

Inter-institutional collaborations

What are the research topics?

4 main topics

Planting density

Nutrient management

Seedling age

Variety testing

Others

Weed management, pest management, etc.

114

34

17

1

1 topic 2 topics 3 topics 4 topics

Number of Main Topics

Addressed per Experiment

Research topics and findings I

Planting Density

94 research articles

Planting pattern (triangular

or square grids), inter-plant

spacing (20~50cm), No.

seedlings/hill (1~3)

Lower density improves

photosynthesis and root

activity

Balancing individual plant

productivity with unit area

productivity

Soil nutrient

management

59 research articles

Types, combinations,

application rates and

timing of various chemical

fertilizer and organic

inputs

Focus on N management

Research topics and findings II

Variety testing for

SRI

55 articles: variety

comparison

26 articles: single

variety tests

Focus on hybrid varieties

Seedling age

44 research articles

8 ~ 36 days or 2~8 leaf

age

Younger is better

Fast establishment

Minor transplantation shock

More low-position tillers

Cold soil temperature can

be a challenge

Evaluation Parameters of Experiments

Yield and Yield Components

Plant physiology and morphology

Response to Disease, Pests, and

Lodging

Soil properties

Water usage

Economic cost and profits

Applications and Recommendations for SRI

115 articles on technical recommendations and

practical instructions (esp after 2010)

Suitable varieties, seedling age, planting density, soil

nutrient management, etc. for local climates and

cropping systems

Specified and precise instruction of almost every step in

rice production

Adaptations

Agricultural policy

SRI has been chosen as one of the “Major Agricultural

Technologies to Promote of the year” by the department

of agriculture in Zhejiang and Sichuan since 2010

Adaptation of SRI practices

Triangular SRI - 33 research articles

Designed for low light intensity condition in Sichuan

Province

Higher planting density than regular SRI

Double-Triangular SRI Triangular SRI Regular SRI

Vs.

plants/square: 9 12 4

Adaptation

Triangular SRI, compared to CK and/or SRI

Increase LAI, dry matter accumulation and

translocation rate, root exudation rate,

productive tillering

Increase panicle size, grain-filling ratio

Achieving balance between productivity per

plant and productivity per unit area

“Major Agricultural Technology to Promote” by

Sichuan Agriculture Department since 2009

Sites of Triangular SRI Experiments

Adaptations

No-till SRI

11 articles , various findings

Most see yield increase

Some combine with raised beds

Potential of soil conservation

Direct-seeding SRI

High yield

Potential of saving labor

Using mulch in SRI

Mulching with rice hull or plastic for weed control

SRI rice-duck system

Conclusions

SRI research in China

Long time, large number, various participants

Wide range, Sichuan and Zhejiang as leading

provinces

Major focus: planting density, soil fertility, seedling

age, variety testing

Depth in physiology and morphology

Many research results have been mainstreamed

into technical recommendations for rice production

Generated various adaptations of SRI practices to

local conditions, e.g. Triangular SRI