Enhancing the irrigation water productivity of rice farming: A study on sowing and irrigation practices in Pakistan

In Pakistan's arid agricultural landscape, this 4-year (2020–2023) study on silty loam soil examined the relationships between sowing methods, irrigation practices, rice yield and water productivity. Using a randomized split block design, no tillage (NT) with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and a furrow-irrigated narrow bed (NB) emerged as being consistently competitive, showing potential for sustainable rice cultivation. Key findings indicate that AWD significantly enhances water productivity (11–35%) and increases yield (2–10%) compared to conventional practices. Drip-irrigated wide beds (WBs) conserve substantial amounts of water (73%) but may compromise rice yield (4–47%). This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic outcomes and distinct performance trends of different rice varieties. The results suggest a potential maximum yield increase of 2–22% through optimized practices, and replacing rice may increase yield by 25–231%. Conversely, the selection of improper irrigation schedules and sowing methods for the given soil and crop conditions may lead to a yield reduction of up to 47% in high-yielding rice varieties. These findings may help to establish a foundation for further research investigating informed decision making for sowing and irrigation methods. The potential scalability of the identified technologies and further in-depth simulation strategies across diverse agroecological zones in Pakistan holds promise for widespread adoption, enhancing the sustainability of rice farming in the region.