Multiple environmental benefits of alternate wetting and drying irrigation system with limited yield impact on European rice cultivation: The Ebre Delta case

Martínez-Eixarch, Maite; Alcaraz, Carles; Guàrdia, Mercè; Català-Forner, Mar; Bertomeu, A.; Monaco, Stefano; Cochrane, Nicole; Oliver, Viktoria; Teh, Yit Arn; Courtois, B.; Price, Adam H.

doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2021.107164

Cited by 18 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…Similar values of 0.800 g L -1 and 0.400 g L -1 for WP under aerobic and anaerobic irrigation, respectively, proof that flooding is an inefficient irrigation system. Likewise, our findings are in line with other studies also carried out under mediterranean conditions that show significant increases in WP after implementation of aerobic rice, such as drip irrigation (Bozkurt Çolak, 2021) or alternate wetting and drying systems (Martínez-Eixarch et al, 2021), since the implementation of these systems does not compromise the rice yield. The application of CW did not lead to significant differences relative to unamended soils, regardless of the year of study (Table 3).…”

Section: Gi (supporting

confidence: 92%

Using olive mill waste compost with sprinkler irrigation as a strategy to achieve sustainable rice cropping under Mediterranean conditions

Peña

Fernández

Albarrán

et al. 2022

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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Traditional rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping systems under flooding irrigation combined with conventional tillage management are under increasing threat due to a loss of soil quality and a scarcity of water resources, especially in Mediterranean environments. Hence, the development of such management strategies as no-tillage, the application of organic amendments, and water-saving methods could be vital in enhancing the sustainability of rice crops. This work tests the combination of various management systems for growing rice under Mediterranean conditions. It assesses for the first time their influence on soil properties and rice yield components. A field experiment was carried out in southern Spain over 3 years (2015–2017) with six treatments: tillage and continuous flood irrigation either without or with application of two-phase olive mill waste compost; tillage and sprinkler irrigation either without or with application of mill waste compost; direct seeding (no tillage) and sprinkler irrigation either without or with application of mill waste compost. Applying mill waste compost in combination with sprinkler-rice systems improved significantly the soils’ properties. Sprinkler-rice yield was similar to that of rice under tillage and flooding, but it used less irrigation water. In 2017, the greatest rice yield occurred under tillage and sprinkler irrigation with application of mill waste compost (8581 kg ha-1), showing the importance of soil organic matter on yields. Additionnally, flooding increased significantly weed density because it lowered herbicide efficacy, making weed control a key issue for rice yields. Thus, the novelty of this communication is showing that the application of mill waste compost combined with sprinkler irrigation may be a sustainable alternative for rice crops under Mediterranean conditions, increasing the water efficiency and reducing weed pressure, while improving different soil properties.

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Section: Gi (supporting

confidence: 92%

Using olive mill waste compost with sprinkler irrigation as a strategy to achieve sustainable rice cropping under Mediterranean conditions

Peña

Fernández

Albarrán

et al. 2022

Agron. Sustain. Dev.

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“…For Fe, 3 studies reported decreases in grain Fe concentration, and none reported an increase. For Se, 1 study reported an increase in grain Se concentration ( 98 ) and 1 study reported a decrease in grain Se concentration ( 99 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do agronomic approaches aligned to regenerative agriculture improve the micronutrient concentrations of edible portions of crops? A scoping review of evidence

et al. 2023

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Regenerative Agriculture (RA) is used to describe nature-based agronomic approaches that aim to build soil health and crop resilience, minimize negative environmental outcomes, and improve farmer livelihoods. A benefit that is increasingly attributed to crops grown under RA practices is improved nutritional content. However, we do not know the extent to which RA influences crop nutritional quality and under what management approaches and context, can such effects be realized. A scoping review of recent literature (Web of Science, 2000–2021) was carried out to assess the evidence that RA approaches improve crop micronutrient quality. Papers included combinations of agronomic approaches that could be defined as Regenerative: “Organic Inputs” including composts and manures, cover crops, crop rotations, crop residues and biochars; “Reduced Tillage”, “Intercropping”, “Biostimulants” e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; plant growth promoting bacteria, and “Irrigation”, typically deficit-irrigation and alternate wetting and drying. The crop types reviewed were predetermined covering common sources of food and included: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), Rice (Oryza sativa L.), Maize (Zea mays L.), Pulses (Fabaceae), Alliums (Allium spp.), and “other” crop types (30 types). This scoping review supports a potential role for RA approaches in increasing the concentrations of micronutrients in the edible portions of several crop types under specific practices, although this was context specific. For example, rice grown under increased organic inputs showed significant increases in grain zinc (Zn) concentration in 15 out of 16 studies. The vitamin C concentration of tomato fruit increased in ~50% of studies when plants were grown under increased organic inputs, and in 76% of studies when plants were grown under deficit irrigation. Overall, the magnitude and reproducibility of the effects of RA practices on most crop nutritional profiles were difficult to assess due to the diversity of RA approaches, geographical conditions, and the limited number of studies for most crops in each of these categories. Future research with appropriate designs, improved on-farm surveillance and nutritional diagnostics are needed for better understanding the potential role of RA in improving the quality of food, human nutrition, and health.

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“…In the studied rice-growing region, two-thirds of methane emissions occur during the flooded post-harvest season [12], yet our results show that field drying drastically reduced mean emission rates by 82% and 51% in 2015 and 2016, respectively, (figure 2). Alternate wetting and dryings [49] has been already documented as an efficient strategy to reduce methane emission during the growing season as aerobic conditions inhibit methanogenic archaea activity [50].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Agricultural policies against invasive species generate contrasting outcomes for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation

Pérez‐Méndez

Alcaraz²,

Bertolero³

et al. 2022

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Direct consequences of biological invasions on biodiversity and the environment have been largely documented. Yet collateral indirect effects mediated by changes in agri-environmental policies aimed at combating invasions remain little explored. Here we assessed the effects of recent changes in water management in rice farming, which are aimed at buffering the impact of the invasive apple snail ( Pomacea maculata, Lamarck) on greenhouse gas emissions and diversity of waterbird communities. We used observational data from a 2-year field monitoring (2015–2016) performed at the Ebro Delta regional scale. We found that drying rice fields reduced methane emission rates by 82% (2015) and 51% (2016), thereby reducing the contribution of rice farming to climate change. However, there was a marked reduction (75% in 2015 and 57% in 2016) in waterbird diversity in dry fields compared with flooded fields, thus suggesting that post-invasion policies might hinder biodiversity conservation. Our results highlight the need for accounting for potential collateral effects during the policy decision-making process to design efficient agricultural management plans that lessen undesirable agri-environmental outcomes.

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Multiple environmental benefits of alternate wetting and drying irrigation system with limited yield impact on European rice cultivation: The Ebre Delta case

Cited by 18 publications

References 72 publications

Using olive mill waste compost with sprinkler irrigation as a strategy to achieve sustainable rice cropping under Mediterranean conditions

Using olive mill waste compost with sprinkler irrigation as a strategy to achieve sustainable rice cropping under Mediterranean conditions

Do agronomic approaches aligned to regenerative agriculture improve the micronutrient concentrations of edible portions of crops? A scoping review of evidence

Agricultural policies against invasive species generate contrasting outcomes for climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation

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