Water and Irrigation Management

Water and Irrigation Management

Evaluation of the effect of Tape-drip irrigation with mulch and the amount of water used and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and water productivity of rice

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 Doctorate Candidate, Dept. of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology (Aburaihan), University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 University of Tehran, Abu Raihan Campus, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
5 Assistant Professor, Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Aburaihan Campus, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22059/jwim.2026.417628.1317
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irrigation method, water consumption and nitrogen fertilizer amounts on rice growth and water productivity in the 1403 crop year at the Ilam University Research Farm. The experiment was conducted in split plots in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments included two irrigation methods ( tape drip irrigation whith and without plastic mulch), three levels of water supply (80, 100 and 120 percent of plant water requirement) and three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (50, 75 and 100 percent of fertilizer requirement). The results of statistical analysis showed that the main effects of irrigation method, water supply level and nitrogen fertilizer were significant on most of the studied traits. The use of mulch in the drip irrigation type system increased plant growth, yield components and water productivity by improving soil moisture conditions. The highest number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight were obtained in the drip irrigation treatment with mulch, providing 120% of the water requirement and using 100% of nitrogen; while the highest harvest and water productivity index were observed in the drip irrigation treatment with mulch, providing 100% of the water requirement and using 100% of nitrogen. The reduction in the level of water and nitrogen supply also caused a decrease in growth traits, yield components, and water use efficiency. Based on the results, drip irrigation with mulch and full nitrogen use, especially at the level of providing 100% of the plant's water requirement, can be suggested as an effective strategy for improving yield, increasing water productivity, and sustainability of rice production in semi-arid conditions.
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 August 2026