Evaluation on Feasibility of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) for Reduction of Irrigation Water in South Korea

The objective of this study was to experimentally investigate the feasibility of SRI (system of rice intensification) in Korean rice farming. Eight experimental plots of 5×15 m in size were prepared on an existing rice field of loam soil. Spacing was 30×15 cm (conventional treatment: CT), 30×30 cm, 40×40 cm and 50×50 cm, respectively. CT were flooded and SRI plots irrigated intermittently 3 to 5 day interval during cultivation. Organic matter content and pH of the soil were 2.5±0.03 % and 6.1±0.2, respectively, before the cultivation. The highest number of tillers and height of the plant were measured at 50×50 cm plots. The height and number of tillers and height in 50×50 cm plots were 10 cm and 1.5 times more than CT. Average irrigation supply to SRI and CT was 243.2 mm and 547.3 mm, respectively. It meant that the reduction of irrigation water in SRI plots over CT was estimated to 55.6 %. Therefore SRI was concluded to have a good enough possibility to be applied in South Korea because it was proven to be more effective in reduction of irrigation water and crop cultivation compare to the CT.