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Irrigation water reduction using System of Rice Intensification compared with conventional cultivation methods in Iraq

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Abstract

A field study was conducted at Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station (MRRS) during the summer season 2009 to evaluate irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) using Anbar 33 variety with the System of Rice Intensification compared to traditional methods. During the growth phase, the number of leaves, stems, and roots, and the average plant height were measured every 15 days for the two sets of methods. At maturity, the depth and length of plant roots was assessed, along with leaf area index (LAI) of the flag leaf and plant height. The amount of irrigation water applied was measured by water meter for both methods. SRI principles for plant age, spacing, etc., were implemented in the SRI plots. The results indicated more vigorous growth of roots under SRI methods, reaching 13,004 cm plant−1 compared with non-SRI results of 4,722 cm plant−1. There was 42% increase in grain yield when SRI methods were used. These had water use efficiency (WUE) of 0.291 kg m−2 compared with WUE of 0.108 kg m−2 for non-SRI cultivation, almost a threefold difference. SRI practices reduced the need for irrigation water by 38.5%.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Board for Agricultural Research and Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station, Najaf, Iraq

    Khidhir Abbas Hameed, Abdul-Kadhim Jawad Mosa & Flayeh Abed Jaber

Authors
  1. Khidhir Abbas Hameed
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  2. Abdul-Kadhim Jawad Mosa
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  3. Flayeh Abed Jaber
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Correspondence to Khidhir Abbas Hameed.

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Hameed, K.A., Mosa, AK.J. & Jaber, F.A. Irrigation water reduction using System of Rice Intensification compared with conventional cultivation methods in Iraq. Paddy Water Environ 9, 121–127 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-010-0243-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-010-0243-1

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