Plant Gene and Trait 2025, Vol.16, No.3, 104-112 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/pgt 107 4 Case Study: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) 4.1 Introduction to SRI and its principles The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an innovative agro-ecological approach to rice cultivation that originated in Madagascar. It focuses on changing the management of rice plants, soil, water, and nutrients to enhance productivity. Key principles of SRI include planting younger seedlings singly rather than in clumps, maintaining wider spacing between plants, and using intermittent irrigation instead of continuous flooding. These practices aim to improve root growth and plant health, leading to higher yields and reduced input costs (Stoop et al., 2002; Chintalapati et al., 2023; Thakur et al., 2023). 4.2 Global implementation and adoption of SRI SRI has been adopted in various countries across the globe, including India, China, Indonesia, and several African nations. In India, for instance, SRI has been implemented in states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Tripura, showing significant yield improvements and water savings (Sinha and Talati, 2007; Majumder et al., 2019). The method has also been evaluated in 27 countries, with 80% of studies reporting higher grain yields compared to conventional practices (Thakur et al., 2023). Despite initial skepticism, SRI has gained traction due to its potential to increase productivity while reducing resource use (Stoop et al., 2002). 4.3 Comparative analysis of yield gains across regions Studies have shown that SRI can lead to substantial yield gains across different regions. In India, SRI practices resulted in a 32% increase in paddy yields and a 67% increase in net returns compared to conventional methods (Sinha and Talati, 2007). In Kerala, SRI management yielded 3 326 kg/ha, which was higher than farmers’ practices but lower than the best management practices (Sarala and Chellappan, 2011). Similarly, in Tripura, SRI provided higher gross and net returns compared to traditional methods. These results highlight the variability in yield gains, influenced by local conditions and implementation practices (Satyanarayana et al., 2006; Sinha and Talati, 2007; Majumder et al., 2019; Li et al., 2024). 4.4 Challenges and criticisms of SRI Despite its benefits, SRI faces several challenges and criticisms. One major criticism is the increased labor requirement, particularly for weeding and transplanting, which can be a barrier for smallholder farmers. Additionally, the variability in yield gains and the need for precise management practices can make SRI less attractive in regions with less favorable conditions or where farmers lack the necessary training and resources (Dobermann, 2004; Sarala and Chellappan, 2011). Some studies have also questioned the scientific basis of SRI, arguing that the reported high yields may be due to measurement errors or selective data presentation (Figure 2) (Thakur et al., 2023). Figure 2 (A) The pair of rice plants grown, respectively, using SRI vs. standard methods of rice cultivation at the Haraz Extension and Technology Development Center in Amol, Iran. The dark color and stunting of the right-hand plant’s roots reflect their degeneration due to lack of oxygen. (B) The pair of rice plants grown in Cuba are of the same age (52 days) and the same variety (VN 2084). Right-side plants are grown using SRI and have 43 tillers, and the left one grown using the standard method have only 5 tillers (Adopted from Thakur et al., 2023)
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