Management Practices for Improving Water Use Efficiency.pptx

Presented by:
Anjaly V (L-2020-A-4-D)
Anju Bala (L-2020-A-4-D)
Management Practices for Improving
Water Use Efficiency of Crops

Water use efficiency
Production (of crops) per unit of water applied.
Expressed in kg/ha-mm.
Two distinct terms are used in expressing water use efficiency:
Crop water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the amount
of water depleted by the crop in the process of evapotranspiration (ET).
• Crop WUE = Y/ET
Field water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the total
amount of water used in the field (WR), which include ET, deep percolation
and that used in plant metabolic processes.
• Field WUE = Y/WR

Factors Affecting Water Use Efficiency
•Nature of plant
•Varieties
•Agronomic practices
•Irrigation
•Fertilization
•Climate
•Soil condition

a. Selection of crops/varieties
Select plant species adapted to the total amount and
distribution of water in an area
C4 and CAM plants have more photosynthesis rate
and water use efficiency as compared to C3 plants
Varietal characters associated with efficient
utilization of water include- short duration and early
vigour, deep rooting behavior, short stature,
moderate tillering etc.
Measures to increase water use efficiency

b. Time of planting
Time of sowing/planting is the non-monitory input.
Ensure higher yields and optimum utilization of the
applied resources.
Shift the planting/transplanting time of crops from
high to low evaporative (ET) demand.
c. Method of planting
Direct effect on yield, solar energy capture and soil
water evaporation and thus an indirect effect on
water use efficiency.
Help to increase the yield or reduce the total
irrigation water to be applied to crop.

d. Row spacing and seed rate
Narrow row spacing can result in higher yields and
water use efficiency.
Soil water evaporation is reduced with higher
planting density.
The desirable plant density which could be
supported by available moisture up to production of
economic part is recommended.
e. Tillage practices
Increases water storage by increasing infiltration.
Sub-soiling or deep tillage facilitate root expansion
and soil moisture abstraction.

f. Nutrient management
Combination of chemical fertilizer with organic nutrient sources or bio-
fertilizers increase growth and yield.
 Nitrogen and Phosphorus management.
Inclusion of legume in the system.

g. Weed control
Weeds often have higher water requirements than the crop plants.
Different methods of weed prevention and control

h. Water management
Limited or deficit irrigation
 Surge irrigation
 More efficient irrigation systems- drip, sprinkler
 Alternate wetting and drying in rice cultivation
Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater

i. Cropping systems
Continuous cropping can increase water productivity over a series of
crops.
Choice of crops tactically.
Growing winter crops immediately after rice harvest increases the
WUE of rice-based cropping systems.
Intercropping.

b. Antitranspirants
1. Stomata closing type- PMA, Atrazine
2. Film forming type- Mobileaf, Hexadecanol, Silicon
3. Reflection type- Kaolin, Celite
4. Growth retardants- Cycocel
c. Controlled soil drying

d. Water harvesting
e. Integrating agriculture-aquaculture

Management Practices for Improving Water Use Efficiency.pptx

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Management Practices for Improving Water Use Efficiency.pptx