Water use efficiency
Production (of crops) per unit of water applied.
Expressed in kg/ha-mm.
Two distinct terms are used in expressing water use efficiency:
Crop water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the amount of water depleted by the crop in the process of evapotranspiration (ET).
Crop WUE = Y/ET
Field water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the total amount of water used in the field (WR), which include ET, deep percolation and that used in plant metabolic processes.
Field WUE = Y/WR
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Management Practices for Improving Water Use Efficiency.pptx
1. Presented by:
Anjaly V (L-2020-A-4-D)
Anju Bala (L-2020-A-4-D)
Management Practices for Improving
Water Use Efficiency of Crops
2. Water use efficiency
Production (of crops) per unit of water applied.
Expressed in kg/ha-mm.
Two distinct terms are used in expressing water use efficiency:
Crop water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the amount
of water depleted by the crop in the process of evapotranspiration (ET).
• Crop WUE = Y/ET
Field water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the total
amount of water used in the field (WR), which include ET, deep percolation
and that used in plant metabolic processes.
• Field WUE = Y/WR
3. Factors Affecting Water Use Efficiency
•Nature of plant
•Varieties
•Agronomic practices
•Irrigation
•Fertilization
•Climate
•Soil condition
4. a. Selection of crops/varieties
Select plant species adapted to the total amount and
distribution of water in an area
C4 and CAM plants have more photosynthesis rate
and water use efficiency as compared to C3 plants
Varietal characters associated with efficient
utilization of water include- short duration and early
vigour, deep rooting behavior, short stature,
moderate tillering etc.
Measures to increase water use efficiency
5. b. Time of planting
Time of sowing/planting is the non-monitory input.
Ensure higher yields and optimum utilization of the
applied resources.
Shift the planting/transplanting time of crops from
high to low evaporative (ET) demand.
c. Method of planting
Direct effect on yield, solar energy capture and soil
water evaporation and thus an indirect effect on
water use efficiency.
Help to increase the yield or reduce the total
irrigation water to be applied to crop.
6. d. Row spacing and seed rate
Narrow row spacing can result in higher yields and
water use efficiency.
Soil water evaporation is reduced with higher
planting density.
The desirable plant density which could be
supported by available moisture up to production of
economic part is recommended.
e. Tillage practices
Increases water storage by increasing infiltration.
Sub-soiling or deep tillage facilitate root expansion
and soil moisture abstraction.
7. f. Nutrient management
Combination of chemical fertilizer with organic nutrient sources or bio-
fertilizers increase growth and yield.
Nitrogen and Phosphorus management.
Inclusion of legume in the system.
8. g. Weed control
Weeds often have higher water requirements than the crop plants.
Different methods of weed prevention and control
9. h. Water management
Limited or deficit irrigation
Surge irrigation
More efficient irrigation systems- drip, sprinkler
Alternate wetting and drying in rice cultivation
Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater
10. i. Cropping systems
Continuous cropping can increase water productivity over a series of
crops.
Choice of crops tactically.
Growing winter crops immediately after rice harvest increases the
WUE of rice-based cropping systems.
Intercropping.