Field experiments were carried out from 2003 to 2005 at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, Tamil Nadu to optimize the establishment techniques of System of Rice Intensification (SRI). The treat- ments consisted of types of nursery and age of seedling in main plot, three different plant geometry in sub-plot and two number of seedlings/ hill in sub sub-plot and replicated thrice. SRI and conventional nursery with 14- days-old seedlings had registered statistically similar yields as that of conventional nursery with 21 days old seedlings. However, conventional nursery recorded higher nutrient uptake leading to more depletion of soil fertil- ity. Closer spacing (20 cm x 20 cm) had higher number of productive tillers/m2 (491) but number of filled grains/ panicle (116.7) are lower resulting in significantly higher grain (8.0 t/ha) and straw yield (9.1t/ha). Number of seedlings/hill failed to exert any significant influence on either yield, nutrient uptake or residual soil fertility.