"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 :

Option (d) is correct because SRI uses wider spacing and younger seedlings (reducing seed requirement), maintains aerobic soil through alternate wetting and drying (cutting methane emissions), and requires significantly less water, which directly lowers the electricity needed for irrigation pumping. The most tempting wrong option is (a), as candidates often overlook the direct link between reduced water demand and the energy savings associated with pumping less groundwater. The core concept tested is the resource efficiency and environmental benefits of sustainable agricultural practices like the System of Rice Intensification.