Alternate wetting and drying (Pani pipe) irrigation (AWDI) and green manuring technique for sustainable rice production

A study was conducted in Karaipottanar sub-basin area of Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu in rice crop in 35.0 ha (25 demonstrations). The results showed that the adoption of alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWDI) and green manure technique resulted in higher grain yield as compared to farmers’ practice. The net return (Rs 39,208.30/ ha) and B-C ratio (2.10) were observed in demonstration plots which were higher than farmers’ practice (Rs 28,569.40/ha and 1.74 respectively). The water productivity was higher (5.14 kg/m³) in demonstration plots as compared to the control plots (3.37 kg/m³) and the average water saving was 26 per cent in demonstration plots. The green manure application resulted in increased available nutrients like organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the soil. From this study it was concluded that AWDI with field water tube was the better water management technique not only in increasing rice yield but also in saving water.