Water use in three rice flooding management systems under Mediterranean climatic conditions

Abstract

Andalusia is the main rice producing region in Spain (40,000 ha). During the last decade it has suffered several years of water shortage leading to a decrease in crop area. In this work, studies have been performed to optimise water delivery and energy costs, comparing three flooding management systems: 1) irrigating seven days a week (control system: traditional continuous flooding system), 2) five days a week and 3) four days a week (maintaining the traditional irrigation management until 55 days after seeding in both tested systems). Total water used (water delivery) in 2000 corresponded to 44,917 cubic m haE–1 (traditional), 34,445 cubic m haE–1 (five days a week) and 29,209 cubic m haE–1 (four days a week). In 2001 these values were 45,607, 34,271 and 28,958 cubic m haE–1 respectively. No significant differences (LSD > 0.05) were found among the three flooding management systems in rice growth and yield. In 2000, irrigating five days a week, 23.31% of pumping energy was saved, and 34.97% when irrigating four days a week. In 2001 these values were 24.86% and 36.51%, respectively. These improvements, combined with the generalisation of integrated production procedures, will render Andalusian rice production more sustainable.