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

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

Field 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, biological, 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 parameters 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 compared 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 dehydrogenase, 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

Ethnomedicinal Plants Used by Primitive Tribes for Snake Bite in Ananthagiri Mandal, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Snake bite is the important health problem in rural and tribal areas. Every year snake bites leading to 25,000 to 125,000 deaths around the globe. In most of the cases people depends on traditional medicine to treat snake envenoming. Present-day folk medicine became as a tool to design of potent inhibitors to neutralize snake venom, including the local tissue damage. The present study deals with 23 plant species occurred in Ananthagiri area used for snake bites. These plant species are listed alphabetically with their botanical names, vernacular names, families and ethnomedicinal uses.</jats:p

Traditional Ethnomedicinal Plants Used For Skin Disease by Primitive Tribes of Ananthagiri Mandal, Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

Plant species used in the treatment of skin diseases among the primitive tribes of Ananthagiri Mandal, Visakhapatnam district. To document traditional medicinal plants knowledge used in treating skin diseases by primitive tribes like Porja, Mali, Kotia, Nukhadora and Khonds. Forty-five plant species belonging to 30 families were found to be used specifically in the treatment of various skin diseases. Most preferred species for the management of skin ailments are Abrus precatorius Linn. Alangium salvifolium (Linn.f.) Wang. Asparagus racemosus Wild and Argemone mexicana Linn etc.</jats:p

Traditional Medical Practice by Primitive Savara Tribes of Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India

An ethnomedicinal survey was carried out among the primitive groups of Savaras tribals inhabited in Donubai Village, Gummalakshmipuram Mandal, Srikakulam District, Andhra Pradesh, India. A total of 54 ethnomedicinal plants belonging to 50 genera under 31 families were recorded. Of these, maximum species belongs to Fabaceae family (5 species) followed by Apocynaceae and Caesalpiniaceae each with (4 species), Asclepiadaceae and Verbenaceae (3species each). The maximum contribution was recorded for trees followed by herbs, shrubs and climbers. Among the plant parts used in different formulations, roots are profusely used which is followed by bark and leaves. A total of 32 diseases are known to cure by using 54 medicinal plants viz., Dysentery, Diarrhoea and Fever etc.</jats:p