The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) involves the adoption of certain changes in management practices for rice cultivation that create a better growing environment for rice crops. The use of intermittent irrigation with alternate wet and dry intervals (AWD) and single transplanting of the younger seedlings in wider spacing areas are regarded as the key factors in SRI for better crop growth and productivity. Field experiments were conducted in Chiba, Japan during the two consecutive rice growing seasons (May-September) of 2008-09 to observe the effects of SRI components on rice crop performance, field environment, water savings, and water-wise rice production. The effects of the irrigation method, age of seedlings and spacing were evaluated in the 2008 rice season with eight treatment combinations in a split-split plot design (S-SPD). AWDI at 10 day intervals and continuous flooding throughout the cropping season were the two main plot factors while the effects of seedling age (14 and 21 days) and plant spacing (30x30 cm2 and 30x18 cm2) were evaluated as sub and sub-sub plot factors, respectively. The experimental results revealed that the SRI management with the proposed AWDI can save a significant amount of irrigation water (29%) without reduced grain yield (7.41t/h compared with 7.37t/ha from normal planting with ordinary water management). Water productivity was also observed to be significantly higher in all combinations of practices in AWDI plots: 1.74 g/liter with SRI management and AWDI as compared to 1.23 g/liter in normal planting with ordinary water management. In addition, the research outcomes showed a role of AWDI in minimizing pest and disease incidence, shortening the rice crop cycle and also improving the plant stand until harvest. Synergistic effects of younger seedlings and wider spacing were seen in tillering ability, panicle length and a number of filled grains that ultimately led to higher productivity with better grain quality. Field experiments with the complete sets of SRI practices were carried out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during the 2009 rice growing season in the same field. SRI (with 8 day old seedlings) and conventional (with 22 day old seedlings) practices were the first factor (cultivation method), while organic and inorganic managements were evaluated as the second factor (management method) in the field experiments. The highest yield was observed through the conventional method with inorganic management (6.84t/h) that was on par with the organic SRI (6.59t/h) followed by organic conventional (6.48t/h). It was recorded as 5.92t/h in inorganic SRI management. Overall, the effects of SRI components were positive and significant on a per plant basis; however, they did not differ significantly in terms of grain yield per unit area. The development of healthy and vigorous roots, increased stem diameter, greater productive leaf area, longer panicles, greater number of filled grains, development of plants tolerant to insect-pest and disease, and reduced plant lodging percentage were some notable achievements with SRI management. Water savings and water-wise rice production are other important issues that are likely to draw the attention of rice researchers and farm communities to adopt SRI under scarce water conditions. However, comparatively better grain yields with conventional management methods underscore a need for further investigations in defining an appropriate combination of practices for SRI management, considering local soil properties, prevailing climate and critical watering stages in rice crop management.

In Chapter One, Alexander M. Liudchik and Siarhey D. Umreika begin by deliberating on the problem of spectrophotometric determination of gas medium composition in its customary formulation and then define a method of accounting for the errors from different sources, thus allowing for estimation of uncertainties in the contents of individual components. In Chapter Two, Oleg V. Trifonov and Vladimir P. Cherniy give an overview of current research on the pipeline-soil interaction modeling, examine a variety of modeling approaches, and describe the environment for correct application of different soil models. In Chapter Three, Alexander Y. Galashev studies the spectral properties of clusters of water that have absorbed NOx molecules. Next, Dr. Francis Orata recommends two consecutive points of sewage and wastewater treatment, including dispersed treatment at the pollutant production facility or at the source, during Chapter Four. In Chapter Five, G. Lovato, R. Albanez, J.N. Albuquerque, P. Cola, R.S. Celestino, S.E. Vogel, M. Fukuyama, F.E. Hirata, F.H. Saito, S.M. Ratusznei, and J.A.D. Rodrigues explore the application of an AnSBBR (anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor) of 3.0 L treating 1.0 L per cycle with agitation operated at 30�C in batch and fed-batch mode in the co-digesting cheese whey with glycerin for methane production. In Chapter Six, Bingqi Zhu researches the chemical weathering process of detrital sediments in the hyper-arid area, basing his study on major-element components of deposits from the Taklamakan Desert in China. After, J. F. P�rez, J. Llanos, C. S�ez, C. L�pez, M. A. Rodrigo, and P. Ca�izares present a study using 100 different samples collected from a variety of manufacturing processes within a chemical synthesis pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Chapter Seven. Lastly, Chapter Eight presents a study investigating the application of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor of .0 L treating 1.0 L per cycle with recirculation of the liquid phase operated at 30�C in batch and fed-batch mode in the treatment of xylose based wastewater, with the core intent of producing methane.

The System of Rice Intensification, known as SRI, is a management strategy for crop improvement. Its ideas, insights and practices are based on scientifically validated knowledge for increasing the production of not only irrigated rice but of other crops as well. SRI represents a paradigm shift in agricultural thinking and practice toward agroecological farming that can be used by even the poorest smallholding farmers in ecologically fragile regions of the world to achieve food security in the face of the climate-change challenges ahead. When the author Norman Uphoff first learned about SRI in Madagascar in 1993, this production system which offered higher yields with reduced inputs seemed implausible to him. But the professor put aside his skepticism after seeing farmers who had been getting rice yields of just two tons per hectare produce four times more rice-for three years in a row-on their very poor soils, not changing their varieties or relying on agrochemical inputs, and using less water. Now, he's helping to disseminate this dramatically effective methodology with this accessible, easy-to-use sourcebook. It offers explanations, research references, vivid pictures, and concrete examples of the award-winning SRI methodology to anyone interested in the development of practicable sustainable food systems. Now, he's helping to disseminate this revolutionary methodology with this accessible, easy-to-use primer. It offers explanations, resources, and concrete examples of the award-winning SRI to anyone interested in the development of practicable sustainable food systems.

Better is the technology; better is the livelihood of farmers' community. The correlation between technology and rural development is highly positive. An agrarian technology apart from ensuring better production should also lead to better remuneration. SRI is one such technology that not only augments rice production but also reduces cost of cultivation. In this context, the present study has been undertaken to understand the impact of SRI over resource use efficiency and technical efficiency of rice cultivation. Upper velar basin in Salem district of Tamil Nadu was chosen for study as in this area SRI method of rice cultivation is practiced in great extent. The factors influencing the adoption of SRI are also determined. The cost involved in the adoption of SRI is also studied through partial budgeting analysis to show how far SRI is better than conventional rice cultivation practices. It was found that 98 % of SRI farmers are technically efficient against 54 % of the traditional farmers. The study revealed that per hectare cost of cultivation is around five per cent lower in SRI than the conventional method. Moreover adoption of SRI has led to 84 per cent increase in net income than conventional method. Net gain from adopting SRI technology was Rs.17045. It was also found out that SRI ensures farmers' sovereignty by low quantum of water usage, improvement in soil health, decreased in cost of production and low seed requirement.

This publication reports on current work in progress to raise the agricultural productivity of a wide range of crops, in eco-friendly ways and in a number of countries around the world, using an agroecological methodology called the System of Crop Intensification (SCI). Through a shift in plant management, SCI allows farmers to increase their production while simultaneously reducing purchased inputs, building soil health, reducing water use, and making plants more resilient to climate change-induced stress.

Global agriculture is now at the crossroads. The Green Revolution of the last century is losing momentum. Rates of growth in food production are now declining, with land and water resources becoming scarcer, while world population continues to grow. We need to continue to identify and share the knowledge that will support successful and sustainable