IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science (IJAES )

E- ISSN 2489-0081
P- ISSN 2695-1894
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijaes.v10.no2.2024.pg13.22

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Agricultural Water Management for Rice Production: A Comprehensive Analysis

Ohaji Evans Chukwudi Paulinus (B.Eng, M.Eng, PhD), Mahmud Hussaini (HND, B.Sc. PGD, M.Eng)

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Abstract

The identified problem revolves around establishing the water requirements for rice seeding, growth, and maturity in hot climatic conditions. This study reviews the net water requirement for rice growth or production under various climatic conditions in the Cross River Basin. It was observed that the water requirement from seeding to harvest varies from location to location, maintaining a FAO range, as postulated by Brouwer et al., 1986, ultimately falling between 450mm to 700mm for hot weather.The methodology used for investigating the Net Irrigation Water Requirements for rice growth to maturity involves the application of New_Clim Location and CropWater software. These tools were utilized to compute Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo) and Crop Water Requirements (CWR) for the net irrigation water requirements of rice, respectively. The data were obtained from meteorological stations within the Cross River Basin. In rainfed conditions, no water stress is practically observed throughout the entire crop cycle, affirming that no irrigation system is needed in such a specific climate. This study uses data generated through New_LocClim as input into CropWat, which, among other factors, determines the net water requirement for rice growth and production. Consequently, the results obtained from the use of the CropWat model in determining rice water requirements for Obudu, Nkari, Ikom, and Ijegu-Yala were 633.7 mm, 397.9 mm, 303.0 mm, and 548.4 mm, respectively. The water requirement of only two locations, Obudu and Ijegu-Yala, fell within the FAO-suggested range of 450 mm to 700 mm (Brouwer et al., 1986) for hot climates, while Nkari and Ikom LGAs did not comply with Brower et al., 1986 postulation due to their location in a relatively less hot climate.

keywords:

Rice water requirements, Hot climatic conditions, Net Irrigation Water Requirements, CropWat model, New_Clim Location, Crop Water Requirements (CWR)

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References:

Akinbile, C.O. (2011). Rice Production and Water use Efficiency for Self-Sufficiency in
Malaysia: A Review. Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 6, 1127-1140.

Allen, R.G., et al. (1998). Crop evapotranspiration-Guidelines for computing crop water
requirement. FAO Irrig et Drain, 56.
Brouwer, C., et al. (1986). Irrigation Water Management: Irrigation Water Needs. FAO
Training manual no. 3, p.102.

Doorenbos, J., & Pruitt, W. O. (1977). Guidelines for predicting crop water requirements.
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 24.

Doorenbos, J., & Pruitt, W. O. (1976). Les Besoins en Eau des Cultures. Bull FAO Irrigation
et Drainage, 24

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