"System of Rice Intensification" of cultivation, in which alternate wetting and drying of rice fields is practised, results in: 1. Reduced seed requirement 2. Reduced methane production 3. Reduced electricity consumption Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Answer: D. All three benefits of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) are correct. SRI is a method of rice cultivation developed in Madagascar (1980s) and promoted globally. Key features include young seedlings, wider spacing, alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and weed control. (1) Reduced seed requirement: CORRECT. SRI uses only 5-8 kg of seed per hectare compared to 40-60 kg in conventional rice cultivation. Single seedlings are transplanted at wider spacing, drastically cutting seed needs. (2) Reduced methane production: CORRECT. The alternate wetting and drying breaks the continuous flooding that creates anaerobic conditions for methanogens. SRI reduces methane emissions from rice fields by 22-64% in various studies. (3) Reduced electricity consumption: CORRECT. Wider spacing and reduced flooding reduce irrigation requirements substantially (30-50% less water). Less irrigation pumping translates to lower electricity consumption for groundwater extraction (significant in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh). So all three are valid SRI benefits. Source: ICAR SRI promotion documents / IRRI research / NCERT Class 12 Biology Ch 13.