Soil matric potential-based irrigation using tensiometer for conserving irrigation water

Abstract

Soil moisture movements controlled by the soil water potentials (Ψ), which further decisdes the expectable yields. Judicious and plant need based irrigations will certainly reduces the water footprints in the region. Conventional flood irrigation methods are both injudicious and energy inefficient, led to lower water productivity more particularly in the hot and dry conditions of Kharif season. Among different resource conservation technologies (RCTs) viz. direct seeded rice, bed planting, laser levelling, soil matric potential based irrigation etc. Soil matric potential based irrigation scheduling using tensiometer is in the spotlight. From, the year 2006 to 2010, the considerable amount of water was saved with a mean value of 30.2, 26.1, 22.9, 18.7 and 16.25% with almost similar crop yields. On a range, tensiometers could bring down the water utilization in rice by 14-15 percent. In the present publication, tensiometers viz. it’s working principle, components, irrigation water and power saving and how it improves declining water productivity is discussed. Our compilation revealed the importance of soil matric potential based water applications for reducing water inputs without adversely affecting the land productivity rather it improves the water productivity. This publication highlights that tensiometer must be reached to the rice growing farmers which helped them to improve water productivity on one side and livelihood on the other. This is a low cost technique and could be afforded by most farmers in India.