Sprinkler-irrigated rice yield in lowlands as a function of water availability and soil attributes

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the effect of soil water tension and physicochemical soil attributes on sprinkler-irrigated rice yield in lowlands of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In the 2011/2012 crop season, the effects of 20 and 40 kPa soil water tensions throughout the crop cycle were evaluated, as well as of 40 and 20 kPa during the vegetative and reproductive phases, respectively. In the 2012/2013 crop season, soil water tensions of 10, 20, and 40 kPa were evaluated throughout the entire crop cycle, and the tensions of 40 and 10 kPa were evaluated during the vegetative and reproductive phases, respectively. In both crop seasons, the irrigated rice cultivar BRS Pampa was used. Water costs with sprinkler irrigation represented 48% of that with flood irrigation. Rice yield was positively correlated with soil microporosity and phosphorus and potassium availability; and negatively correlated with macroporosity and aluminum saturation. The joint evaluation of soil water tension and soil physicochemical attributes allow a better evaluation of the variability of sprinkler‑irrigated rice yield in the lowland areas of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Sprinkler irrigation allows better use of rainwater, revealing positive effects on water economy.