rrdi_technology_soilscience_IAWD

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TECHNOLOGIES

Soil Science Division - Improved Alternate Wetting and Drying Technique (Improved-AWD) in Rice Cultivation

Technology
  • 2 – 3 weeks after the crop establishment, irrigate the field up to 5 cm and allow to drain until water level goes down to 15 cm below soil surface
  • Irrigate again up to 5 cm and allow draining as above
  • Continue the procedure until first flower appearance
    • Maintain 0 – 5 cm water level for two weeks from first flower appearance
  • Stop irrigation and allow draining out water level goes down to 15 cm below the soil surface
    • Practice again AWD until 2 weeks before expected date of harvesting and then stop irrigation

Important

  • To measure water level in the soil, use a PVC pipe/tube (diameter – 4”, length – 20 cm) making several cuts along the wall (Figure 1)
  • Insert the PVC tube to the soil 15 cm below soil surface by removing mud inside (Figure 2)
  • Number of tubes per area depend on landscape of the paddy tract (e.g. 3 tubes/Ac if land is flat)
  • Mark where PVC tube is installed (Figure 3)
  • Measure the water level inside the tube using a ruler (Figure 4)
  • Apply fertilizer when the soil is moist and pay attention to control weeds at land preparation and before   starting AWD
  • Improved-AWD is not suitable for saline paddy fields
  • This technology should be practiced in entire Yaya or water  distribution channel with the collaboration of famers, agriculture officers and irrigation officers to get better results
  • Improved AWD is highly suitable for major and minor irrigated areas of the Dry and Intermediate Zones

Benifits

  • Reduced 2 – 3 irrigations practices per season and 10 – 20% of  total water can be saved
  • Saved water can be utilized to expand the cultivated extent, to cultivate long age varieties, to implement mid season cultivation and to start the next season in time.

Principal inventor

  • M.U.K. Rathnayaka, Assistant Director of Agriculture (Research), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda

Collaborators

  • P.N. Nandasena (RA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
  • M.D. Jayasinghe (RA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
  • M. Gunawansa (RA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
  • M. Piumika (TA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
  • M. Muthukumara (RA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
  • M.R.S. Atapattu (SRA), Rice Research and Development Institute, Bathalagoda
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4