Paddy Irrigation Research Articles

Effective use of a reservoir for paddy irrigation in tropical monsoon Asia—a case study of the Ngamoeyeik Project, Lower Myanmar

Irrigation projects with reservoirs have contributed to the stabilization of traditional rainfed rice and to the introduction of double-rice in monsoon Asia. This type of irrigation also has the capability of shifting the traditional rice-cropping season. This paper discusses the influences of the shifted cropping season on water resources and the effective use of the reservoir in the Ngamoeyeik Irrigation Project Area in Lower Myanmar. Synthesized streamflow data were applied to simulate water storage in the reservoir. The main results are as follows: (1) shifting the cropping season to avoid inundation problems can increase water availability, (2) the amount of evaporation loss in the reservoir water budget can be as high as 16%, which decreases water efficiency in the reservoir operation during the dry season, (3) a shifted cropping season is preferable under the special hydrological conditions found in Lower Myanmar.

Nutrient leaching from the plow layer by water percolation and accumulation in the subsoil in an irrigated paddy field

To estimate the impact of water percolation on the nutrient status in paddy fields, the seasonal variations of the concentrations of cations, anions, inorganic carbon (IC), and of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in percolating water that was collected from just below the plow layer (PW-13) and from drainage pipes at the 40 em depth (PW-40), as well as in irrigation water were measured in an irrigated paddy field. Total amounts of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn leached from PW-13 during the period of rice cultivation were estimated to range from about 390 to 770, 65 to 130, 33 to 66, 340 to 680, and 44 to 87 kg ha-1, respectively. Amounts of losses that were estimated from the differences between the input by irrigation water and the output by percolation water from the plow layer corresponded to 11 to 26, 22 to 47,5.9 to 12, and 13 to 26% of exchangeable Ca and Mg, amorphous Fe, and easily reducible Mn in the plow layer, respectively. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Fe, and Mn in PW13 were higher than those in PW-40. The amounts of these nutrients that were retained in the subsoil between the 13 em and 40 em soil depth corresponded to 83, 86, 61, 99, and 89% of the amounts that percolated from the plow layer, respectively. Total amounts of IC and DOC that percolated from the plow layer ranged from 750 to 1,500 and 85 to 170 kg-C ha-1, which corresponded to 5.0 to 10.0% and 0.6 to 1.1% of the total carbon content in the plow layer, respectively. Eighty eight % of IC in the percolating water from the plow layer was also retained in the subsoil.

The economics of irrigated paddy in Usangu Basin in Tanzania: water utilization, productivity, income and livelihood implications

Globally, there is a general lack of consensus on how the available water resources can be allocated efficiently and equitably among its competing uses. In irrigated agriculture, this decodes to the central question of how this sector can be balanced in the manner that it produces more ‘crops per drop’ using less water and releasing adequate water for use by other sectors while concurrently enhancing rural income and livelihoods. This requires that the values and costs of irrigated agriculture, at all levels, are well understood and appropriate interventions made. Based on this ground, this paper presents an economic analysis of the value of irrigated paddy in Usangu basin. It attempts to answer the question of what will be the effects if farmers in Usangu stop producing irrigated paddy. The analysis shows that: (a) about 576 mm 3 of water––currently consumed in paddy irrigation, or 345.6 mm 3––traded inter-regionally as “virtual water” would be utilized in alternative ways, either as evaporation from seasonal swamps within the basin or made available for other intersectoral uses, (b) there will be a shrinkage in the annual paddy supply (both at the local and national levels) of about 105,000 t of paddy (66,000 t of rice)-equivalent to 14.4% of the total annual paddy production in Tanzania, (c) an opportunity cost of about US$15.9 million will be incurred annually (equivalent to US$530.95 per annum per household practicing irrigated paddy in Usangu), and d) the country’s current account of the balance of payments will be affected by an average of US$15.9 million per annum. The effect will either be in form of annual decline in rice exports or increase in imports depending on the country’s supply and demand for rice.

Multi-functional Roles of Paddy Irrigation in Monsoon Asia

Multi-functional Roles of Paddy Irrigation in Monsoon Asia

Impact of water percolation on nutrient leaching from an irrigated paddy field in Japan

Abstract. We examined the effect on soil nutrient status and sustainability of water percolation through an irrigated paddy field in Japan, to the depth of drainage (40 cm). The difference between amounts of nutrients leached by percolation and those supplied by irrigation indicated that 25–130 kg ha−1 Ca, 8–24 kg ha−1 Mg, from −1 to 9 kg ha−1 K, and 8–17 kg ha−1 Fe, respectively, were lost each year from the 0–40 cm soil layer during rice cultivation, when the supply from fertilization and rainfall and the loss in grain harvest were not accounted for. When the supply of K from rainfall and the loss in grain harvest were taken into account, a total K loss of about 10 kg ha−1 was estimated. The electrical neutrality of inorganic ions in the percolating water was always maintained. From these results we estimate that the amounts of exchangeable Ca and Mg in the soil to a depth of 40 cm would decrease by 50% within 50–260 and 30–100 years, respectively, if similar management were continued without fertilization. The total amount of carbon dioxide (ΣCO2) leached in percolating water during the period of rice cultivation was 120–325 kg C ha−1, which corresponded to 0.47–0.94% of the soil organic carbon to 40 cm depth.

Impact of water percolation on nutrient leaching from an irrigated paddy field in Japan

Impact of water percolation on nutrient leaching from an irrigated paddy field in Japan

Characteristics of paddy irrigation in Taiwan

Paddy and water environment are closely related to each other in Asia. Developing agriculture by way of construction of farmland irrigation works has long been the principal objective of policies in Taiwan. Owing to significant temporal and spatial difference in rainfalls, natural river runoff has hardly corresponded with irrigation requirements. The cultivation of rice paddies and upland crops are practiced according to the state of the water sources, and cultivation patterns and irrigation systems are framed by placing the same importance on the role of irrigation and drainage management. In this article, the characteristics of paddy irrigation in Taiwan, distinguishable from the western arid farming, have been categorized and will be reviewed in terms of irrigation development, agricultural water utilization, equitable distribution management, farmland consolidation, and the Irrigation Association with its role as that of a public juridical body.

Elaboration of the greatest contribution of three paddy irrigation functions

Elaboration of the greatest contribution of three paddy irrigation functions

Control of Holotrichia parallella (Motschulsky), Large Black Chafer Larvae, by Submerged Paddy Irrigation of a Rotation Soybean Field

Control of <i>Holotrichia parallella</i> (Motschulsky), Large Black Chafer Larvae, by Submerged Paddy Irrigation of a Rotation Soybean Field

Seasonal variation of phenol/benzoate-degrading iron-reducing bacteria in irrigated tropical paddy soils as affected by some management practices.

The study provides the first evidence of the presence and abundance of bacterial population that coupled ferric iron reduction to aromatic compounds degradation in tropical irrigated paddy soils in the Philippines. Culturable phenol/benzoate degrading iron-reducing bacteria was enumerated by the most probable number (MPN) counts using phenol or benzoate as sole carbon source, and ferric oxide [Fe(OH)(3)] as the sole electron acceptor. Population density of phenol degrading iron-reducing bacteria (P-IRB) in irrigated paddy soil ranged from 10(2) to 10(8)g(-1) dry soil, and increased with the progressive rice growth in rice cropping seasons; the study also revealed a significant rhizosphere effect on population of P-IRB. However, high enumeration of benzoate degrading iron-reducing bacteria (B-IRB) was obtained in all the tested soil samples averaging at 1.2 x 10(6)g(-1) dry soil, and did not fluctuate significantly over the rice cropping seasons. Statistical data showed that less cropping density with aerated fallow and high nitrogen rate favored the population growth of P-IRB. However, results showed that population size of B-IRB was relatively insensitive to the effect of either seasonal or extrinsic factors tested in this study.

Causes of animal extinction in small irrigation reservoirs in Japan and requirements for future re‐establishment

In the past, small irrigation reservoirs were constructed only for rice paddy irrigation in Japan. Many of the watersheds for these irrigation reservoirs were forests. These watersheds have been gradually developed into farmland or housing areas. After World War II, the use of chemical fertilizers, such as ammonium sulphate, became popular in upland fields in Japan. As a result, there are high concentrations of nitrates in groundwater and spring water under upland fields. Hence, irrigation reservoirs that collect water from these watersheds have been polluted by nitrates. High nitrates concentrations in irrigation reservoirs have been found where the watershed is located close to tea yards. However, there has been minimal research into these reservoirs in the fields of limnology and agricultural engineering. We have therefore tried to verify the water-quality characteristics in irrigation reservoirs from the point of view of water-quality conservation. In the process of the investigation, we encountered a quite significant reservoir called the Tanno Reservoir that has not seen any forms of life. We examined the causes of this lack of life, as well as measures that could be taken for the remediation of such a reservoir. This paper discusses and clarifies the results of these studies.

Effects of Rice Paddy Irrigation for Water Environment in Tenryugawa River Basin from the Viewpoint of Spring Water Quality

Effects of Rice Paddy Irrigation for Water Environment in Tenryugawa River Basin from the Viewpoint of Spring Water Quality

Protection, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Mitigation of Paddy Irrigation Ecosystem

Protection, Restoration, Rehabilitation and Mitigation of Paddy Irrigation Ecosystem

Refinement in methodologies for methane budget estimation from rice paddies

To reduce the involved uncertainties in the methane budget estimation from rice paddy fields, the methodologies of methane budget estimation have been revised mainly on the basis of measurements undertaken in the Methane Asia Campaign (MAC-98). Studies from other continuous measurements of methane emission from rice paddy fields over last few years in other Asian countries were also used. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) sponsored Methane Asia Campaign (MAC-98) in which India, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand participated during 1998–99.The resulting CH4 measurements have shown that apart from water management, soil organic carbon also plays a significant role in determination of methane emission factors from rice paddy fields. The available data from participating countries reveal that paddy soils can be broadly classified into low soil organic carbon ( 0.7% C) classes which show average methane emission factors of 12 (5–29) and 36 (22–57) g m−2 respectively for continuously flooded (CF) fields without organic amendments compared to the IPCC–96 emission factor of 20 g m−2. Similarly for irrigated paddy fields with intermittently flooded multiple aeration (IF-MA) without organic amendments, the MAC-98 gives average emission factors of 2 (0.06–3) and 6 (0.6–24) g m−2, respectively, for low and high organic carbon soils compared to IPCC–96 emission factor of 4 (0–10) g m−2. Incorporation of soil organic carbon along with classification based on water management and organic amendments in the estimation of CH4 emissions from rice paddy fields yields more characteristic emission factors for low and high organic carbon soils and is, therefore, capable of reducing uncertainties.

Effect of oxadiazon on Clarias Grariepinus: I incubation period and hatching success

The effect of oxadiazon, (a herbicide applied in irrigated paddy fields and fadama) on incubation period and hatching success of Clarias gariepinus was investigated. At the concentration of 1800ug/I applied under field conditions, the incubation period was not significantly affected (p>0.05) while the number eggs hatched were significantly depressed (p [Niger Agric. J. 33 (2002): 136-138]

Towards a Solution to the North‐South Problem

One of the most important issues in avoiding a global water crisis is to solve the confrontation between developed and developing countries. As Japan in the 20th century has experienced the shift from a developing country to a developed country, it should candidly share its precious historical experience, both its merits and demerits, with people throughout Monsoon Asia. Two practical proposals to economize water demand are as follows: to economize toilet water in a way that meets the conditions of each region; and to develop the effective utilization of water for irrigated rice paddies, not only in the Monsoon Asia but throughout the world. In short, new life-styles are necessary if the global water crisis is to be averted.

Heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils and sediments in Liaoning Province, China

Heavy metal pollution of soils and sediments in Liaoning Province, Northeast China, was investigated. Fifty seven samples of agricultural soils and 8 samples of sediments were collected in 1996 from paddy or upland fields and irrigation channels, respectively, in Shenyang, Fushun, Liaoyang, Anshan, and Tieling regions, and concentrations of total and 0.1 mol L-1 HCI-extractable Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were analyzed using ICP spectrometry. Seventeen samples of unpolished rice were also collected from selected paddy fields and total concentrations of the four elements were determined.– Both paddy and upland soils were polluted with Cd: average total concentration was 0.70, 0.57, and 0.53 mg kg-1 in the western and southern parts of Shenyang, and Anshan, respectively, and significantly higher than the background level of 0.32 mg kg-1. Cd concentrations of four samples exceeded even 1 mg kg-1, which corresponds to the critical level of Cd contamination in China. About 65% of the total Cd was extracted with 0.1 mol L-1 HCI, suggesting that Cd was relatively mobile compared with other metals. The level of Cd pollution was, however, lower than that previously reported and serious polIution was not observed for Cu, Pb, and Zn. Accordingly, Cd concentration in upland rice was within the range of the unpolluted level in this study. Nevertheless, Cd concentration in a sediment of irrigation channels in the western part of Shenyang exceeded 16 mg kg-1, indicating the possibility of further contamination of agricultural soils. In conclusion, soils and sediments were still polluted with Cd in the southern part of Shenyang, Anshan, and especially in the western part of Shenyang, and further countermeasures are urgently required to ensure safe food production in these regions.

Origin and properties of humus in the subsoil of irrigated rice paddies

Stability of humus in the plow layer soil is considered to affect the quantity and quality of dissolved organic matter leached from the plow layer soil. Therefore, a model experiment was conducted to analyze the effect of soil reduction under submerged conditions on the stability of humus in the plow layer soil. The changes in the stability of humus in the plow layer soil during submerged incubations with and without rice straw application were evaluated based on the changes in the binding type of humus. Binding type of humus in the plow layer soil was analyzed by successive extractions of organic matter with water, 0.25 M Na2SO4, 0.1 M Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0), 0.1 M Na4P2O7 (pH 10.5), and 0.1 M Na4P2O7 (pH 10.5) with NaBH4. Amounts of Fe, Mn, and Mg in each fraction were also determined to estimate the relationships between humus and metals. The successive extraction of humus indicated that the amount of organic carbon which was extractable with the (NaBH4 +0.1 M Na4P2O7) solution decreased while that of the 0.1 M Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0}-extractable organic carbon increased during submerged incubation with rice straw application. The origin of the increase in the amount of organic carbon in the Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0)-extractable fraction during submerged incubation was investigated further by another incubation experiment using 13C-glucose as a reducing agent. Atom- 13C% analysis showed that the contribution of organic carbon derived from compounds other than glucose to the increase in the contents of humic acids and fulvic acids in the Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0)-extractable fractions was ca. 80%. Therefore, it was concluded that the binding type of humus changed from (NaBH4 + Na4P2O7)-extractable to Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0)-extractable humus under reducing conditions. Since the amounts of organic carbon and Fe increased in the Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0)-extractable fraction and decreased in the (NaBH4 +0.1 M Na4P2O7)-extractable fraction simultaneously, iron reduction was presumably associated with the change in the binding type of humus in submerged paddy soil.

Origin and properties of humus in the subsoil of irrigated rice paddies

To study the accumulation mechanism of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leached from the plow layer soil in the subsoil of irrigated rice paddies, leaching experiments using a series of plow layer soil columns and subsoil columns were conducted. The binding types of organic matter in the subsoil columns were estimated by successive extraction of organic matter with water, Na2S04, Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0), Na4P2O7 + NaOH, and NaOH solutions. The ability of the subsoil constituents to adsorb DOC was investigated by removing them. Successive removal of indigenous organic matter and iron oxides and hydroxides from the subsoil samples decreased the adsorption of DOC to the subsoil column. The decrease appeared in the Na2S04- and Na4P207 (pH 7.0)-extractable fraction for the organic matter removed subsoil column (Org.(—) subsoil column) and in the Na4P2O7 (pH 7.0)-extractable fraction for the organic matter and iron oxides and hydroxides removed subsoil, column (Org. (—) \\d. Fe(—) subsoil column), respectively, suggesting the importance of polyvalent cations in the subsoil and in the leachate for binding DOC to the subsoil. The effect of drainage on the accumulation of DOC was investigated in the case three repetitions of leaching incubation followed by stand incubation with or without drainage. The sum of the amounts of DOC retained in the subsoil columns during the 3 periods of leaching incubation was larger in the treatment with drainage than in the treatment without drainage. Since the net increase in the total organic carbon content in the subsoil columns was less pronounced in the treatment with drainage than in the treatment without drainage (untreated subsoil columns), or similar between the two treatments (Org.(—) subsoil columns), the drainage was assumed to promote the adsorption of DOC to the subsoil, and also to promote organic matter decomposition. In the treatment with drainage, Na4P207 (pH 7.0)-extractable organic carbon mainly accumulated. Drainage also resulted in the impossibility of extracting water-extractable organic carbon with water, and promoted the formation of humin.

Influence of the Paddy Irrigation System on Fishes Habitation in Japan

Influence of the Paddy Irrigation System on Fishes Habitation in Japan