Effect of Drip Irrigation on Growth, Physiology, Yield and Water Use of Rice

T Parthasarathi ,Naftali Lazarovitch,Arumugam Surendran,Dharmalingam Selvakumar,Eli Vered,V Meenakshi ,K Vanitha ,S Mohandass

doi:10.5539/jas.v9n1p154

Abstract

<p>The field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of drip irrigation treatments such as three lateral distances (0.6 m, 0.8 m or 1.0 m lateral distance) on growth parameters physiological characters, yield and water use of rice under two discharge rates drippers (0.6 or 1.0 litre per hour emitters). Among the lateral distances, 0.8 m lateral distance adjudged as optimum spacing for its better performance in growth, physiological and yield attributes than rest of the lateral distances. Between two-discharge rates, 1.0 lph drippers out performed 0.6 lph drippers in grain yield. Interactively, laterals spaced at 0.8 m with 1.0 lph drippers exhibited better performance by way of growth parameters (such as plant height, tiller density, root biomass, total dry matter accumulation), physiological attributes (such as Y<sub>w</sub>, Chlorophyll content, Catalase activity and Malondialdehyde content), yield and its components (such as productive tillers, spikelet numbers, filled grain percentage, Harvest Index) along with water productivity. Drip irrigation confirms to increase in water productivity in the present study with water saving of 27.4% over the conventional aerobic rice cultivation. Enhanced physiological activities showed increased growth and yield in rice under 0.8 m lateral distance drip irrigation which is a viable tool for balanced source sink relation. Our results indicated that the lateral spacing of 0.8 m with 1.0 lph drippers is best for rice cultivation in enhancing the growth, physiology, grain yield and water productivity.</p>

Highlights

Increasing scarcity and rising cost of water threatens the sustainability of irrigated lowland rice
The tiller density of the crop was significantly different in drip irrigation treatment
Increased plant height observed in 0.8 LD, 1.0 lph dripper treatment (T1) that was due to the availability of soil moisture to root zone in this system

Summary

Introduction

Increasing scarcity and rising cost of water threatens the sustainability of irrigated lowland rice. It is expected that by 2025 AD, more than 17 million ha of Asia’s irrigated rice would experience “physical water scarcity” and about 22 million ha might experience “economic water scarcity” (Tuong & Bouman, 2003). A tremendous amount of water is used for the rice irrigation under the traditional irrigation method called as a continuous deep flooding irrigation technique and, a newer method to combat water scarcity situation is warranted. Rice plants under aerobic systems undergo several cycles of wetting and drying conditions (Matsuo & Mochizuki, 2009). Such a mild plant water stress at vegetative growth stage decreased tiller number (Cruz et al, 1986).

Methods

Results

Conclusion