SRI-A Method for Sustainable Intensification of Rice Production with Enhanced Water Productivity

Climate change induced higher temperatures will increase crops’ water requirements. Every 10°C increase in mean temperature, results in 7% decline in the yield of rice crop. Hence, there is a need to develop water saving technologies in rice which consumes more than 50% of the total irrigation water in agriculture. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is one such water saving rice production technology. Experiments were conducted at different locations in India including research farm of Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, during 2005-10 to assess the potential of SRI in comparison to normal transplanting/Standard Planting (NTP/SP) under flooded condition. SRI recorded higher grain yield (6 to 65% over NTP) at majority of locations. Long term studies clearly indicated that grain yield was significantly higher (12-23% and 4-35% over NTP in Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively) in SRI (with organic+inorganic fertilizers) while the SRI (with100% organic manures), recorded higher yield (4-34%) over NTP only in the Rabi seasons. Even though, SRI resulted in higher productivity, the available nutrient status in soil was marginally higher (10, 42 and 13% over NTP for N, P and K, respectively) at the end of four seasons. There was a reduction in the incidence of pests in SRI and the relative abundance of plant parasitic nematodes was low in SRI as compared to the NTP. About 31% and 37% saving in irrigation water was observed during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively in both methods of SRI cultivation over NTP. SRI performed well and consistently reduced requirement of inputs such as seed and water in different soil conditions. SRI method, using less water for rice production can help in overcoming water shortage in future and it can also make water available for growing other crops thus promoting crop diversificatio

Ultrasound scouring of wool and its effects on fibre quality

410-414Wool scoured using ultrasound irradiation at intermediate stages has been analysed and compared with the wool scoured without ultrasonic energy. The conventional recipe is modified with 25% reduction in chemical concentration, time and temperature. The scouring efficiency is measured in terms of residual grease content. Ultrasound energy effectively removes grease with lower concentration of chemicals, temperature and time. Ultrasound subjected to all bath scouring has lowest residual grease content. However, the highest improvement in whiteness is observed during ultrasound irradiation on rinsing baths.  It is also observed that the combination of ultrasound and alkali adversely affects whiteness and yellowness. Scanning electron microscope analysis shows no cuticle damage after ultrasound exposure on wool fibre. In addition, the chemical properties of wool are not changed due to ultrasound treatment. The mean fibre diameter, single fibre strength and moisture content do not show significant change after ultrasound irradiation

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Not AvailableWool scoured using ultrasound irradiation at intermediate stages has been analysed and compared with the wool scoured without ultrasonic energy. The conventional recipe is modified with 25% reduction in chemical concentration, time and temperature. The scouring efficiency is measured in terms of residual grease content. Ultrasound energy effectively removes grease with lower concentration of chemicals, temperature and time. Ultrasound subjected to all bath scouring has lowest residual grease content. However, the highest improvement in whiteness is observed during ultrasound irradiation on rinsing baths. It is also observed that the combination of ultrasound and alkali adversely affects whiteness and yellowness. Scanning electron microscope analysis shows no cuticle damage after ultrasound exposure on wool fibre. In addition, the chemical properties of wool are not changed due to ultrasound treatment. The mean fibre diameter, single fibre strength and moisture content do not show significant change after ultrasound irradiation.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableAbstract Sugarcane is a significant crop in contributing to the country’s economy and farmers’ livelihood development. In India, sugar is a 550 billion rupees worth industry, supporting more than 50 million farmers. There is a growing demand for sugar in India. Hence, there will be more and more stress on the sugarcane eco-system in future. But, the present scenario of cane cultivation is not sustainable enough to meet this demand as the input and labor costs are increasing and the national mean cane productivity (2007–10) is at 66.9 t ha-1only. So, it is necessary to improve the cane productivity in a sustainable way with minimum usage of inputs through some alternate methods on the principles of ‘‘more with less’’. A research study with the objectives of developing a methodology for sustainable sugarcane productivity was carried out at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics during 2008–11. As a result, a methodology was evolved encompassing six principle components, including improved bud chip method, under a concept called ‘‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI)’’. The evaluation trials conducted on the principle components revealed the optimum size and age of the bud chips (4–10 months old) and suitable media combination (cocopith +sawdust) for raising better seedlings. SSI field trials resulted in about 20 % higher yields. The state governments are showing interest in covering larger areas under SSI. SSI method can revamp the sugarcane sector by its merits like ensuring of quality seed materials, increase in yield and income generating opportunities.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSugarcane is a significant crop in contributing to the country’s economy and farmers’ livelihood develop-ment. In India, sugar is a 550 billion rupees worth industry, supporting more than 50 million farmers. There is a growing demand for sugar in India. Hence, there will be more and more stress on the sugarcane eco-system in future. But, the present scenario of cane cultivation is not sustainable enough to meet this demand as the input and labor costs are increasing and the national mean cane productivity (2007–10) is at 66.9 t ha-1 only. So, it is necessary to improve the cane productivity in a sustainable way with minimum usage of inputs through some alternate methods on the principles of ‘‘more with less’’. A research study with the objectives of developing a methodology for sustainable sugarcane productivity was carried out at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics during 2008–11. As a result, a methodology was evolved encom-passing six principle components, including improved bud chip method, under a concept called ‘‘Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI)’’. The evaluation trials conducted on the principle components revealed the optimum size and age of the bud chips (4–10 months old) and suitable media com-bination (cocopith ? sawdust) for raising better seedlings. SSI field trials resulted in about 20 % higher yields. The state governments are showing interest in covering larger areas under SSI. SSI method can revamp the sugarcane sector by its merits like ensuring of quality seed materials, increase in yield and income generating opportunities.Not Availabl

System of Rice Intensification: Its Present Status, Future Prospects and Role in Seed Production in India

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) as an alternate rice cultivation methodology, developed in Madagascar 25 years ago, is gaining wider acceptance in many countries including India. SRI method claims to greatly enhance water productivity and grain yield. But there is lack of understanding of scientific principles underlying and synergetic effects of the principles followed in SRI, especially in Indian conditions. The present paper is intended to discuss about significance and necessity of SRI along with performance of SRI at about 25 locations across the country for a period of four years. SRI was found to record 7- 20% higher grain yield over the traditional irrigated transplanted rice in different agro-climatic situations of the country. SRI also recorded higher nutrient use efficiency without depleting soil available nutrients as compared to conventional transplanting"after two seasons of the study. The varieties having better tillering ability as well as hybrids (KRH 2, HRI 126, PHB 71 and DRRH 2) were found promising and recorded higher grain yield over the high-yielding varieties and scented cultivars with moderate tillering. Root volume, dry mass and dehydrogenase activity in soil enhanced by 7-25% (measure of microbial activity) were found to be higher in SRI, compared with conventional method. There was reduction in seed rate by 80%, nursery area also obviously, water requirement by 29% and growth duration by 8-12 days, thereby enhancing water productivity and per day productivity of rice cultivars in SRI, which also proved to be helpful in producing more seed for faster seed multiplication and also quality seed for higher productivity. Water saving alone should be a strong justification for the adoption of SRI wherever water is not abundant. Ther~ is a need for further enhancing the rice productivity in SRI by identifying suitable cultivars, modifying practices to suit local agro-climatic conditions and understanding long term synergic effects among different practices

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Not AvailableClimate change induced higher temperatures will increase crops’ water requirements. Every 10°C increase in mean temperature, results in 7% decline in the yield of rice crop. Hence, there is a need to develop water saving technologies in rice which consumes more than 50% of the total irrigation water in agriculture. System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is one such water saving rice production technology. Experiments were conducted at different locations in India including research farm of Directorate of Rice Research (DRR), Hyderabad, during 2005-10 to assess the potential of SRI in comparison to normal transplanting/Standard Planting (NTP/SP) under flooded condition. SRI recorded higher grain yield (6 to 65% over NTP) at majority of locations. Long term studies clearly indicated that grain yield was significantly higher (12-23% and 4-35% over NTP in Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively) in SRI (with organic+inorganic fertilizers) while the SRI (with100% organic manures), recorded higher yield (4-34%) over NTP only in the Rabi seasons. Even though, SRI resulted in higher productivity, the available nutrient status in soil was marginally higher (10, 42 and 13% over NTP for N, P and K, respectively) at the end of four seasons. There was a reduction in the incidence of pests in SRI and the relative abundance of plant parasitic nematodes was low in SRI as compared to the NTP. About 31% and 37% saving in irrigation water was observed during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively in both methods of SRI cultivation over NTP. SRI performed well and consistently reduced requirement of inputs such as seed and water in different soil conditions. SRI method, using less water for rice production can help in overcoming water shortage in future and it can also make water available for growing other crops thus promoting crop diversification.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableField experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 2008–2009, Kharif 2009 and Rabi 2009–2010, to investigate growth parameters, water-saving potential, root characteristics, chemical, bio-logical, and microbial properties of rhizosphere soil, and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) by comparing the plants grown with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods, with organic or organic ? inorganic fertilization, against current recommended best management practices (BMP). All the growth parameters including plant height, effective tillers (10–45 %), panicle length, dry matter, root dry weight (24–57 %), and root volume (10–66 %) were found to be significantly higher with in SRI-organic ? inorganic over BMP. With SRI-organic fertilization, growth para-meters showed inconsistent results; however, root dry weight (3–77 %) and root volume (31–162 %) were found significantly superior compared to BMP. Grain yield was found significantly higher in SRI-organic ? inorganic (12–23 and 4–35 % in the Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively), while with SRI-organic management, yield was found higher (4–34 %) only in the Rabi seasons com-pared to BMP. An average of 31 and 37 % of irrigation water were saved during Kharif and Rabi seasons, respectively, with both SRI methods of rice cultivation compared to BMP. Further, total nitrogen, organic carbon%, soil dehydroge-nase, microbial biomass carbon, total bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes were found higher in the two SRI plots in comparison to BMP. It is concluded that SRI practices create favorable conditions for beneficial soil microbes to prosper, save irrigation water, and increase grain yield.Not Availabl

Assessment of different methods of rice (Oryza sativa. L) cultivation affecting growth parameters, soil chemical, biological, and microbiological properties, water saving, and grain yield in rice-rice system

Abstract Field experiments were conducted at DRR farm located at ICRISAT, Patancheru, in sandy clay loam soils during four seasons, Kharif 2008, Rabi 200