Standardization of system of rice intensification (SRI) and its comparison to conventional system of rice production for resource conservation and yield maximization
Rice (Oryza sativa L.) being the most important staple cereal
crop providing one third of calorie requirement for more than 70
per cent of Indian population. Globally, India ranks first in area
and second largest producer next to China in rice production.
The diverse agro-ecological situation demand location specific
management technology for the realization of full yield potential.
The current global population of more than 7.5 billion is expected
to reach 9.0 billion by 2050 AD. Most of these population increases
will occur in developing countries of Asia and Africa where rice is
a staple food. To meet the increasing demand an annual increase
of 2.0 million tons in deteriorating resource base and climate change
affecting adversely is indeed a harculum task. Improvement and
strengthening of genetic base, adoption of hybrid rice and
refinement of production technology packages are some of the
options on which the emphasis is being given. The semi-aquatic
nature of rice and high water requirements for its cultivation make
it much more prone to losses from drought during reproductive
phase. Indian agriculture largely depends upon monsoon rainfall
where about two third of the arable land lack irrigation facilities
and is termed as rain fed. The most immediate consequence of
drought is a fall in crop production due to inadequate and poorly
distributed rainfall. Also the weeds are major constraints in rice