Sprinkler Irrigation as an Energy and Water Saving Approach to Rice Production and Management of Riceland Pests

摘要

Rice is currently produced on about 400,000 acres in the Texas Coastal Prairie and uses 1.8 million acre-feet of water or 13 percent of Texas' renewable water resources. The Texas Coastal Prairie has been experiencing rapid population and industrial growth with increased demands on the area water. Continued rice production will require water conservation practices. This research evaluated the potential water conservation of sprinkler irrigated rice production as related to potential production of commercial cultuvars with various moisture stress levels, the sprinkler irrigation adaptability of 10 major soil series, and increased infiltration by adjuvants. Highest yielding cultivars under flood irrigation were also the highest yielding with sprinkler irrigation.