Irrigation Management Strategies to Increase Crop-Water Productivity and Grain Quality of Direct Seeded Rice in North West IGP: A Review

Abstract

Due to its great productivity and profitability, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is farmed in alluvial irrigated tracts of northwest India. For half of the world's population as well as in our country, rice serves as the main source of calories. However, excessive groundwater use in rice farming has resulted in an alarming decline in water table, indicating overuse of groundwater. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate alternative, resource-conserving methods that can sustain rice production. Direct seeded rice presents a compelling option when the future of rice production is in jeopardy due to worldwide water constraint and rising labour costs. The oldest method of crop establishment in this regard, direct seeded rice (DSR), is becoming more and more well-liked constraints minimal input requirements. It has certain benefits, including labour savings, a reduction in water and manpower requirements, early crop maturity, cheap production costs, improved soil physical conditions for crops, a reduction in methane emissions, and greater options for being the best match in various cropping systems. For dry-seeded rice, management strategies that cut irrigation water use and boost crop-water production are needed. Some of the interventions in this respect include cultivars with short growing seasons, tillage, and irrigation scheduling. High crop-water productivity is ensured with optimal yields thanks to irrigation scheduling that aims to eliminate over- or under-irrigation. Tillage changes the edaphic environment of the soil, which impacts crop development. Because of their shallow root systems, rice plants are unable to use the water in the deeper layers of the soil. In order to increase the deep root growth of rice cultivars, deep tillage has become the preferable method. The present research evaluates irrigation management options to raise crop-water productivity and grain quality of DSR in northwest IGP based on the available evidence.