Maximizing Water Use Efficiency in Rice Farming: A Comprehensive Review of Innovative Irrigation Management Technologies

Abstract

Rice is a water-guzzling crop cultivated mostly through inefficient irrigation methods which leads to low water use efficiency and many environmental problems. Additionally, the export of virtual water through rice trading and the looming water crisis poses significant threats to the sustainability of rice production and food security. There are several alternative rice production methods to improve water use efficiency. These include aerobic rice, direct-seeded rice (DSR), alternate wetting and drying (AWD), saturated soil culture (SSC), drip-irrigated rice, a system of rice intensification (SRI), and smart irrigation with sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT). However, each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, drip-irrigated rice and IoT-based automated irrigation are not feasible for poor farmers due to the high production costs associated with specialized machinery and tools. Similarly, aerobic rice, drip-irrigated rice, and the SRI are labor-intensive, making them unsuitable for areas with a shortage of labor. On the other hand, DSR is suitable for labor-scarce areas, provided herbicides are used to control weeds. In this article, the suitability of different water-saving rice production methods is reviewed based on factors such as climate, soil type, labor, energy, and greenhouse gas emissions, and their prospects and challenges are evaluated. Additionally, the article examines how cultural practices, such as seed treatment, weed control, and nutrition management, contribute to enhancing water use efficiency in rice production.

Sustainability assessment of lignocellulosic biorefineries based on sequential pretreatments

“…Although the impact of KCl has been attributed to soil microbial disturbance and inhibition of the nitrogen cycle, 49 the carbon footprint is due to the manufacturing process based on citric acid production 50 . Regarding irrigation, the extensive water demand in rice crops has been identified as one of the main drawbacks of agricultural practices, as it demands 34–43% of the world's irrigation water consumption 51 . Indeed, the water depletion (WD) category was 27.2 m 3 kg −1 of rice husk.…”

“…50 Regarding irrigation, the extensive water demand in rice crops has been identified as one of the main drawbacks of agricultural practices, as it demands 34-43% of the world's irrigation water consumption. 51 Indeed, the water depletion (WD) category was 27.2 m 3 kg −1 of rice husk. Therefore, WD can lead to soil degradation and reduced agricultural productivity due to increased salinization and waterlogging, 52 and because it alters the hydrological cycle, favoring rainfall or drought as well as increased evaporation or loss of water from the soil.…”

The role of priming and memory in rice environmental stress adaptation: Current knowledge and perspectives

“…7. Alongside with the above, efforts need to be directed in developing and improving short-term agronomical practices to mitigate the impact of adverse weather on rice crop, such as the alteration of the irrigation practices (e.g., resort to intermittent flooding than continuous flooding); harvesting rainwater to be used during dry periods, reducing water wastage through targeted irrigation methods such as using sprinkler or drip irrigation systems rather than continuous watering of the rice paddies; select drought-tolerant and aerobic rice varieties; optimizing irrigation scheduling and monitoring soil moisture to ensure water provision during drought sensitive developmental stages (Ali & Wani, 2021;Bhatt et al, 2021;Fukai & Mitchell, 2022;Livsey et al, 2019;Mallareddy et al, 2023;Oliver et al, 2019).…”

Rice mutants, selected under severe drought stress, show reduced stomatal density and improved water use efficiency under restricted water conditions

“…The Alternate Wet and Drying (AWD) technique, developed by the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), has undergone extensive evaluation in Asian countries and has proven highly beneficial for improving water-use efficiency (23%–37%). Additionally, it contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (45%–90%), saving fertiliser, minimising diseases and pests (92%–100%) and enhancing overall water productivity ( Bouman and Tuong, 2001 ; Bouman and Lampayan, 2009 ; Das et al., 2012 ; Ishfaq et al., 2020 ; Mallareddy et al., 2023 ). The water usage in flooded rice ranged between 1324 and 2250 mm, whereas Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) consumed between 1000 and 1151 mm or 20% and 40% less than flooded irrigation practices ( Kumar and Rajitha, 2019 ).…”