1. Introduction: System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method involves modified management practices like transplanting 15 days old seedlings at wider spacing, mechanical weeding and intermittent irrigation. Among these practices, using young seedlings is most important. In conventional wet bed nursery, seedlings do not attain the expected15 to 20 cm height in 15 days of growth due to crowding of seedlings and poor nursery management. Modified Rice Mat Nursery practice is developed for producing robust, healthy rice seedlings suitable for transplantation in 15 days.

2. Seed beds are prepared in a place having water facility and no trespassing animal. Shallow raised beds are prepared to a height of 5 cm, with 1.2 m width and convenient length. 100 square meter mat nursery is required to produce seedlings sufficient for planting one hectare rice field. Seed Bed Preparation: Medium: Native fertile field soil + well decomposed FYM @ 1 kg FYM mixed with the soil required for 1 Square Meter nursery bed as growth medium Raised Bed Preparation

3. Pre-germinated seeds should be used at the rate of 5-8 kg/hectare. 50 gm dry seed or 100 gm wet seeds should be sown per square meter of the seedbed. The seeds should be properly covered with medium, gently pressed with hand and sprinkled with water. The seed frame should be removed carefully after sowing of seed on raised beds. Seed Sowing:

4. Sowing sprouted Seed Removal of Frame Raised Bed Preparation

5. The medium should be mixed with 20 to 25 gm/m 2 of Di-ammonium Phosphate (DAP) before sowing. The mat nursery should be sprinkled with water 2-3 times a day up to 5 days with the help of rose-can. After 5 th day, water can allow to wet in between the mat nursery without submerging the area. Drenching of 0.5% urea solution (50 gm in 10 lit of water) on 9 th day after sowing with rose can. Water should be drained two days prior to transportation of seedling mats to the main field for transplanting. Fertigation:

6. Watering Seed beds up to 5 th DayWatering Seed beds soon after Sowing Seedlings Ready for Transplanting Lifting Seedlings Modified Rice Mat Nursery

7. Production of robust seedlings with 18-20 cm height and 4-5 leaves in 15 days. Modified rice mat nursery reduces the cost of seedling production as it reduces the cost on seeds by 85- 90%, fertilizer by 90%, labor by 34% and water use by 55%. Production cost of seedlings for 1 hectare of field is around Rs.1600 which represents a saving of 50% in contrast to conventional wet bed nursery. Seedlings can be produced with limited land and water resources. Advantages of Rice Mat Nursery