Effects of evapotranspiration-based supplemental irrigation intervals on Aman rice yield and groundwater recharge potential
摘要
Aman rice, cultivated during the wet season in the region, is predominantly rainfed but often requires supplemental irrigation to close yield gaps. This study evaluated evapotranspiration-based irrigation intervals of 5 days (I5D), 10 days (I10D), and 15 days (I15D) on grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and groundwater recharge potential during the 2021 and 2022 Aman seasons. It also quantified the water balance during the last 10 years. Supplemental irrigation requirements were calculated as the deficit between crop water demand and water supply (rainfall plus root-zone residual moisture) at designated intervals. The reference evapotranspiration (ET0) estimated using the CROPWAT 8.0 software was multiplied by the crop coefficient to find actual evapotranspiration (ETc). The field-scale water balance gave the potential for groundwater recharge (percolation). The I10D irrigation produced the highest grain yield in both seasons; however, the treatments had no statistically significant effect on grain yield, straw yield, and other growth and yield components. Water input (rainfall and irrigation) matched well with the cumulative ETc in 2021, but was much higher than the cumulative ETc in 2022 due to higher rainfall. The groundwater recharge potential ranged 71–116 mm in 2021 and 406–484 mm in 2022 across the irrigation treatments, and averaged 286 mm during 2014–2023 under rainfed cultivation. The WUE of rice showed a minimal response to irrigation treatments. Annual variability in rainfall had significant effects on WUE and groundwater recharge potential. These results indicate the need for offering practical insights for water-efficient Aman rice production under fluctuating rainfall patterns.