Effect of Irrigation Intervals and Submergence Head on Rice Yield and Soil Quality under Salinity of Soil and Water

Abstract

Two field trials were performed in 2015 and 2016 seasons at the Experimental Farm of El Sirw Agricultural Research Station, Damietta province, Egypt. The trial aims to study the effect of irrigation intervals and submergence head on growth, productivity and water use efficiency of Sakha 104 rice cultivar, as well as, soil characteristics under salinity of soil and water. Strip plot design was assigned as the experimental design with three replicates. The vertical plots were denoted for irrigation intervals namely; (3, 6 and 9 days). The horizontal plots were arranged for submergence head namely;(3 and 6 cm). Salinity levels of soil were 7.68 and 7.45 dSm-1 in the first and second seasons, respectively. Results showed that prolonging irrigation intervals markedly reduced growth characteristics such as flag leaf area, leaf area index (LAI), dry matter production, stomatal conductance, number of tillers hill-1, chlorophyll content and plant height, as well as, grain yield, yield components and total water applied. The prolonging irrigation interval significantly increased salinity levels, sodium content of soil, bulk density and decreased potassium content of soil. The submergence head of 6 cm increased all measured growth parameters, yield, yield components and enhancing soil characteristics as compared with 3 cm of submergence head except heading date and number of unfilled grains panicle-1. The irrigation interval of 3 days with submerged head of 3 cm gave the highest value of water use efficiency followed by 6 days with 6 cm. Generally, under this study and similar conditions, irrigation interval every 3 days with submergence head of 6 cm are suitable to enhance growth, productivity of sakha 104 rice cultivar and effective to improve soil quality. However, the irrigation interval of 3 days with submergence head of 3 cm are suitable to enhance water use efficiency.