Vol. 10, Special Issue 12 (2021)

Author(s):
Sharanappa, Abdulgani Nabooji, Santosh and Yusufali AN

Abstract:
Water becomes a scarce resource due to increased demand for industrial, agricultural and domestic purposes, besides increased cost on fertilizer necessitated for development and adoption of alternative agro techniques which help in effective and efficient utilization of these inputs. In this context alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation practice which is emphasized these days as it helps to bring down water requirement and the input cost, besides, increasing the production. Further, the use of micro irrigation techniques and fertigation is the only way to manage water and nutrient resources efficiently. Drip irrigation, is an irrigation method that applies water slowly to the root zone of plants, through a network of valves, pipes, tubes and emitters. The goal is to optimize water and input usage. Adoption of micro irrigation might help in increasing the irrigated area, productivity of crops and water use efficiency. Direct seeded rice with drip irrigation can address the multifaceted problems of water scarcity, weed competition and environmental pollution. When the rice cultivation is shifted from TPR to DSR, weeds pose major threat to rice production. Under such scenario micro-irrigation /drip irrigation plays important role in restricting weed flora apart from regular supply of required amount of moisture for rice growth.