Growth and yield of rice under sprinkler irrigation on a free-draining soil

Abstract

A line-source sprinkler irrigation system was used to study rice growth under irrigation on a free-draining soil in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales. Ponded rice was grown on the same soil for comparison. Seven levels of sprinkler water application were examined, ranging from 26 to128% of Class 'A' pan evaporation. Apparent efficiency of water use ranged from 3.4 kg of grain/mm for the highest yielding sprinkler treatment to 1.85 kg of grain/mm for the highest yielding ponded treatment. Excellent weed control was achieved by herbicides applied through a sprinkler system.