Irrigation Water productivity in Rice Crop through Alternate Wetting and Drying method

The demonstrations on alternate wetting and drying (AWD) in rice crops were conducted by KVK
Ferozepur, Punjab during Kharif 2019-21 at 25 locations in 5 villages of the district. The selected study
locale was characterized by well-drained sandy loam with medium soil fertility status. The three plots of
0.4 ha size each were selected for the three treatments i.e. continuous submergence (farmer practice), after
2-3 days of percolation (AWD), and after 5-6 days of percolation at each of 25 locations. The rice grain
yields increased by 1.18 percent under AWD compared to the continuous submergence (71.4 q/ha). The
irrigation water productivity (IWP) was higher by 18.36 percent under AWD compared to that in
continuous submergence. Rice crops under AWD required 30 cm smaller amount of irrigation water
during the whole growing season compared to the continuous submergence. The AWD technique holds
great promise as water-saving technology that can help to address water scarcity in the rice growing areas
of the food basket bowl of India. Therefore, the AWD method could enhance yield and save irrigation
water by 18-20 percent in rice crops.