Effect of Irrigation Regime and Establishment Techniques on Water Use and Rice Productivity

摘要

RICE, the staple food of Asians, occupies an area of 44.8 million hectares with a production of 86.3 million tonnes in India. Tamil Nadu contributes nearly eight percent to the national share from an area of 2.1 m. ha. with a production of 6.6 m t. (Huke and Juke, 1997). Sixty per cent of total available irrigation water in India and about 80 per cent in Tamil Nadu is utilized for rice cultivation alone (Sheik Dawood et al., 1990). Usually, after the onset of monsoon, rice cultivation is being commenced in irrigation commands with the available water. But some times or most of the times, because of the failure of subsequent rainfall, both irrigation authorities and farmers find it very difficult to provide required irrigation and save the standing rice crop without subjecting it to short-term water stress. This water stress can be minimised by judicious planning of water resources allocation by equity distribution throughout the cropping season. Kepping in view, the present investigation was undertaken to identify suitable irrigation method and establishment technique for rice culture.