Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects on rice plant morphology and physiology of water and associated management practices of the system of rice intensification and their implications for crop performance

  • Article
  • Published:
Paddy and Water Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India, during the dry season (January–May) in 2008 and 2009 to investigate whether practices of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), including alternate wetting and drying (AWD) during the vegetative stage of plant growth, could improve rice plants’ morphology and physiology and what would be their impact on resulting crop performance, compared with currently recommended scientific management practices (SMP), including continuous flooding (CF) of paddies. With SRI practices, grain yield was increased by 48% in these trials at the same time, there was an average water saving of 22% compared with inundated SMP rice. Water productivity with AWD-SRI management practices was almost doubled (0.68 g l−1) compared to CF-SMP (0.36 g l−1). Significant improvements were observed in the morphology of SRI plants in terms of root growth, plant/culm height, tiller number per hill, tiller perimeter, leaf size and number, leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf weight (SLW), and open canopy structure. These phenotypic improvements of the AWD-SRI crop were accompanied by physiological changes: greater xylem exudation rate, crop growth rate, mean leaf elongation rate (LER), and higher light interception by the canopy compared to rice plants grown under CF-SMP. SRI plants showed delayed leaf senescence and greater light utilization, and they maintained higher photosynthetic rates during reproductive and grain-filling stages. This was responsible for improvement in yield-contributing characteristics and higher grain yield than from flooded rice with SMP. We conclude that SRI practices with AWD improve rice plants’ morphology, and this benefits physiological processes that result in higher grain yield and water productivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Belder P, Bouman BAM, Cabangon R, Guoan L, Quilang EJP, Li Y, Spiertz JHJ, Tuong TP (2004) Effect of water saving irrigation on rice yield and water use in typical lowland conditions in Asia. Agric Water Manag 65:193–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belder P, Bouman BAM, Spiertz JHJ (2007) Exploring options for water saving in lowland rice using a modeling approach. Agric Syst 92:91–114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borell A, Garside A, Fukai S (1997) Improving efficiency of water use for irrigated rice in semi-arid tropical environment. Field Crops Res 52:231–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouman BAM (2007) A conceptual framework for the improvement of crop water productivity at different spatial scales. Agric Syst 93:43–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouman BAM, Tuong TP (2001) Field water management to save water and increase its productivity in irrigated lowland rice. Agric Water Manag 49:11–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouman BAM, Peng S, Castañeda AR, Visperas RM (2005) Yield and water use of irrigated tropical aerobic rice systems. Agric Water Manag 74:87–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouman BAM, Feng L, Tuong TP, Lu L, Wang H, Feng Y (2007) Exploring options to grow rice using less water in nitrogen China using a modeling approach, II. Quantifying yield, water balance components, and water productivity. Agric Water Manag 88:23–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ceesay M, Reid WSE, Fernandes CM, Uphoff N (2006) The effects of repeated soil wetting and drying on lowland rice yield with system of rice intensification (SRI) methods. Int J Agr Sust 4:5–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapagain T, Yamaji E (2010) The effects of irrigation method, age of seedling and spacing on crop performance, productivity and water-wise rice production in Japan. Paddy Water Environ 8(1):81–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • del Pozo JC, Lopez-Matas MA, Ramirez-Parra E (2005) Hormonal control of the plant cell cycle. Physiol Plant 123:173–183

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • DRD (2006) Rice varieties released/notified during 1996–2005. Directorate of Rice Development, Department of Agriculture and Co-operation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India. http://dacnet.nic.in/rice/Rice%20Varieties%20-%2009.htm

  • Fageria NK (2007) Yield physiology of rice. J Plant Nutr 30:843–879

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez KA, Gomez AA (1984) Statistical procedure for agricultural research. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiscox JD, Israelstam R (1979) A method of extraction of chlorophyll from leaf tissue without maceration. Can J Bot 57:1332–1334

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • ICAR (2006) Handbook of agriculture, 5th edn. Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Imbellone PA, Guichon BA, Gimenez JE (2001) Dynamics of physical–chemical properties in soils with anthropic flooding, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Soil Sci 166:930–939

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabir H, Uphoff N (2007) Results of disseminating the system of rice intensification with farmer field school methods in Northern Myanmar. Expl Agric 43:463–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kar S, Varade SB, Subramanyam TK, Ghildyal BP (1974) Nature and growth pattern of rice root system under submerged and unsaturated conditions. Il Riso (Italy) 23:173–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Laulanié H (1993) Le système de riziculture intensive malgache. Tropicultura 11:110–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Menete MZL, van Es HM, Brito RML, DeGloria SD, Famba S (2008) Evaluation of system of rice intensification (SRI) component practices and their synergies on salt-affected soils. Field Crops Res 109:34–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra HS, Rathore TR, Pant RC (1990) Effect of intermittent irrigation on groundwater table contribution, irrigation requirement and yield of rice in mollisols of Tarai region. Agric Water Manag 18:231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra A, Whitten M, Ketelaar JW, Salokhe VM (2006) The system of rice intensification (SRI): a challenge for science, and an opportunity for farmer empowerment towards sustainable agriculture. Int J Agr Sust 4:193–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Namara R, Bossio D, Weligamage P, Herath I (2008) The practice and effects of the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in Sri Lanka. Quarterly J Int Agr 47(1):5–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto K, Morita S, Baba T (1995) Shoot and root development in rice related to the phyllochron. Crop Sci 35:24–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen HT, Fischer KS, Fukai S (2009) Physiological responses to various water saving systems in rice. Field Crops Res 112:189–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olaleye AO, Tabi FO, Ogunkunle AO, Singh BN, Sahrawat KL (2001) Effect of toxic iron concentrations on the growth of lowland rice. J Plant Nutr 24:441–457

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ookawa T, Naruoka Y, Sayama A, Hirasawa T (2004) Cytokinin effects on ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and nitrogen partitioning in rice during ripening. Crop Sci 44:2107–2115

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pasuquin E, Lafarge T, Tubana B (2008) Transplanting young seedlings in irrigated rice fields: early and high tiller production enhanced grain yield. Field Crops Res 105:141–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sahrawat KL (2000) Elemental composition of the rice plant as affected by iron toxicity under field conditions. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 132:2819–2827

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samejima H, Kondo M, Ito O, Nozoe T, Shinano T, Osaki M (2004) Root–shoot interaction as a limiting factor of biomass productivity in new tropical rice lines. Soil Sci Plant Nutr 50:545–554

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • San-oh Y, Mano Y, Ookawa T, Hirasawa T (2004) Comparison of dry matter production and associated characteristics between direct-sown and transplanted rice plants in a submerged paddy field and relationships to planting patterns. Field Crops Res 87:43–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • San-oh Y, Sugiyama T, Yoshita D, Ookawa T, Hirasawa T (2006) The effect of planting pattern on the rate of photosynthesis and related processes during ripening in rice plants. Field Crops Res 96:113–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sato S, Uphoff N (2007) A review of on-farm evaluation of system of rice intensification (SRI) methods in eastern Indonesia. CAB Reviews. Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau International, Wallingford, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Satyanarayana A, Thiyagarajan TM, Uphoff N (2007) Opportunities for water saving with higher yield from the system of rice intensification. Irrig Sci 25:99–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Senthilkumar K, Bindraban PS, Thiyagarajan TM, de Ridder N, Giller KE (2008) Modified rice cultivation in Tamil Nadu, India: yield gains and farmers’ (lack of) acceptance. Agric Syst 98:82–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinha SK, Talati J (2007) Productivity impacts of the system of rice intensification (SRI): a case study in West Bengal, India. Agric Water Manag 87:55–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soejima H, Sugiyama T, Ishihara K (1995) Changes in the chlorophyll contents of leaves and in levels of cytokinins in root exudates during ripening of rice cultivars Nipponbare and Akenohoshi. Plant Cell Physiol 36:1105–1114

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stoop WA, Uphoff N, Kassam A (2002) A review of agricultural research issue raised by the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) from Madagascar: opportunities for improving system for resource poor farmers. Agric Syst 71:249–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stoop WA, Adam A, Kassam A (2009) Comparing rice production systems: a challenge for agronomic research and for the dissemination of knowledge-intensive farming practices. Agric Water Manag 96:1491–1501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabbal DF, Bouman BAM, Bhuiyan SI, Sibayan EB, Sattar MA (2002) On-farm strategies for reducing water input in irrigated rice: case studies in the Philippines. Agric Water Manag 56:93–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao H, Brueck H, Dittert K, Kreye C, Lin S, Sattelmacher B (2006) Growth and yield formation for rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the water-saving ground cover rice production system (GCRPS). Field Crops Res 95:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur AK, Rath S, Roychowdhury S, Uphoff N (2010a) Comparative performance of rice with system of rice intensification (SRI) and conventional management using different plant spacings. J Agron Crop Sci 196:146–159

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thakur AK, Uphoff N, Antony E (2010b) An assessment of physiological effects of system of rice intensification (SRI) practices compared with recommended rice cultivation practices in India. Expl Agric 46:77–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsujimoto Y, Horie T, Randriamihary H, Shiraiwa T, Homma K (2009) Soil management: the key factors for higher productivity in the fields utilizing the system of rice intensification (SRI) in the central highland of Madagascar. Agric Syst 100:61–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuong TP, Bouman BAM, Mortimer M (2005) More rice, less water—integrated approaches for increasing water productivity in irrigated rice-based systems in Asia. Plant Prod Sci 8:231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uphoff N (2003) Higher yields with fewer external inputs? The system of rice intensification and potential contributions to agricultural sustainability. Int J Agric Sust 1:38–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Uphoff N (2007) The System of Rice Intensification: Using alternative cultural practices to increase rice production and profitability from existing yield potentials. International Rice Commission Newsletter, No. 55. Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Zhang J, Huang H, Wang Z, Zhu Z, Liu L (2002) Correlations of cytokinin levels in the endosperms and roots with cell number and cell division activity during endosperm development in rice. Ann Bot (London) 90:369–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang C, Yang L, Yang Y, Ouyang Z (2004) Rice root growth and nutrient uptake as influenced by organic manure in continuously and alternately flooded paddy soils. Agric Water Manag 70:67–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Liu K, Wang Z, Du Y, Zhang J (2007) Water saving and high-yielding irrigation for lowland rice by controlling limiting values of soil water potential. J Integr Plant Biol 49:1445–1454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida S (1981) Fundamentals of rice crop science. International Rice Research Institute, Manila, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Zhang S, Zhang J, Yang J, Wang Z (2008a) Post-anthesis moderate wetting drying improves both quality and quantity of rice yield. Agron J 100:726–734

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Zhang S, Yang J, Zhang J (2008b) Yield, grain quality and water use efficiency of rice under non-flooded mulching cultivation. Field Crops Res 108:71–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Xue Y, Wang Z, Yang J, Zhang J (2009a) An alternate wetting and moderate soil drying regime improves root and shoot growth in rice. Crop Sci 49:2246–2260

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang H, Xue Y, Wang Z, Yang J, Zhang J (2009b) Morphological and physiological traits of roots and their relationships with shoot growth in “super” rice. Field Crops Res 113:31–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao LM, Wu LH, Li YS, Animesh S, Zhu DF, Uphoff N (2010) Comparisons of yield, water use efficiency, and soil microbial biomass as affected by the system of rice intensification. Commun Soil Sci Plant Anal 41:1–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Directorate of Water Management, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India

    Amod K. Thakur, Sreelata Rath, D. U. Patil & Ashwani Kumar

Authors
  1. Amod K. Thakur
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sreelata Rath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. U. Patil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ashwani Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Amod K. Thakur.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Thakur, A.K., Rath, S., Patil, D.U. et al. Effects on rice plant morphology and physiology of water and associated management practices of the system of rice intensification and their implications for crop performance. Paddy Water Environ 9, 13–24 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-010-0236-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-010-0236-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation