Microbial contributions to sustainable rice cultivation: evidence and insights from the system of rice intensification (SRI)

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is an agricultural technique for growing rice that focuses on creating optimal conditions for plant growth while minimizing competition between plants. It involves strategies such as individual planting and wide spacing to reduce interplant competition, as well as applying organic amendments, promoting aeration during weeding, and carefully managing water to prevent flooding and water-related stress. This management approach resulted in improvement in rice growth and yield up to three times more than non-SRI cultivation methods. These notable enhancements can be attributed to the mutually beneficial interactions between microbes and rice plants within a biocide-free ecosystem. Consequently, this article examines the role of beneficial microbes in promoting rice growth and yield under SRI conditions, along with the effects of various modifications in plant, soil, water, and nutrient management on the population and diversity of soil microorganisms. Additionally, the mechanisms employed by symbiotic microbes to enhance plant growth and yield are extensively explored and discussed.