System of Rice Intensification in the high humid tropics of Kerala

A set of new crop management technology called system of rice intensification (SRI) is attracting attention by the rice farmers because of the multiple benefit it offers such as high yield and factor productivity with water saving. The present study was conducted to validate and explain the merits/ demerits of SRI under Kerala conditions. Crop management techniques followed under SRI was compared with the Kerala Agricultural University, Package of Practices recommendations for rice crop and farmers practice. Combination of recommended practices such as planting of 20 days old two seedlings per hill at a spacing of 20 x15 cm with intermittent irrigation followed under SRI management and concurrent growing of daincha and its subsequent incorporation at 30 days after sowing by spraying 2, 4 – D for weed control was found to be the best management alternative for high production cost and low yield of paddy under Kerala conditions.