WATER MANAGEMENT

WHAT IS THIS LESSON ABOUT?

Water management is very essential in rice production. This lesson presents

the types of irrigation system, schedule of irrigation, water use and disposal
and the six stages of rice growth when the field is to be drained. You will learn
these in thirteen days.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of the lesson you should be able to:

1. determine the right depth of water at a certain stage of plant growth;

2. irrigate and drain the field appropriately;
3. choose the appropriate method of irrigating the field; and
4. consider the importance of water in the management of lowland rice
production.

Know

Due to climate change, the supply of water is becoming scarce nowadays.

The extreme changes of weather conditions in the different regions of the
country caused a dramatic impact in rice production. Places with extreme
rainfall experience flooding while those with scarce rainfall face long drought.
Both situations cause soil degradation, resulting in loss of agricultural
production.

Dams that hold water for irrigation purposes become destructive during
rainy season due to excessive supply of water, yet becomes inutile to supply
water during summer when it is needed most in the rice fields. Farmers turn
to use of water pumps to source out water from deep wells but the water level
below is getting deeper each year making it very expensive for farmers to
sustain a profitable rice production.
 Water is life. It is one of the most important factors in increasing
production of our staple food. It determines the availability of nutrients in the
soil and control weeds. Hence, efficient utilization and conservation of
irrigation water are necessary.

Water insufficiency in any stage most especially during the vegetative and
reproductive growth stages is evident. It reduces plant height, tiller number,
and yield. Water is most critical from panicle initiation to grain development.
Lack of water during these stages leads to production of unfilled grains.

Water Management

For efficient water management in irrigated rice production, take note of

the following desirable recommended water depth at different stages of growth:

a. After transplanting, irrigate the puddied field with a depth of 2 - 3

centimeters.
b. Maintain this water depth from 3–5 D A T (Days After
Transplanting), then gradually increase the level up to 5 cm as
the crop grows. Avoid deep flooding to minimize percolation
and seepage. Keep farm ditches well-shaped and free of weeds
to allow quick flow of irrigation water with minimum loss.
c. At tillering stage, keep water depth at 2 - 3 centimeters.
d. Maintain the water depth at 3–5 cm during panicle initiation
stage.
e. At ripening stage, maintain deep inflow of water 20 days after
flowering then drain the field 2 – 3 weeks before harvesting.

For rainfed areas construct bigger and higher dikes to impound more
water. It should be about 25 – 30 cm high to free it from rats, holes and
breaks. Start impounding water during the early stage of growth gradually
increasing from 5 cm. to a maximum of 15 cm as the crop becomes taller.

When there is abundant water supply, the field must be kept submerged
for 3-5 days after transplanting. A depth of 2-3 cm is enough to get higher
yield. But a depth of 5-10 cm helps control weeds. However, there are periods
when the rice field has to be drained for a specific purpose and water
efficiency. These are:

1. during transplanting, for ease and more accurate distance and

spacing of planting
2. during early stage of growth, to attain maximum tillering and to
prevent late tillers to come out for a uniform plant growth and
development
3. during weeding, for easier control of weeds using a mechanical
weeder
4. fertilizer application, for the plants to be able to absorb the
maximum nutrients from the applied fertilizers
 5. maximum tillering stage, to attain uniform growth, and
6. two weeks before harvesting, to facilitate grain development and
maturity and for ease of harvesting and transport

Draining the field during the maximum tillering stage prevents the
emergence of late tillers and the accumulation of toxic nitrogen which the
plant needs. It is necessary to let the water flow out of the rice field while the
paddy is being drained. Water must be channeled to other paddies that need
it.

Types of Irrigation System

a. Reservoir type. A large dam or a small water impounding dam is

constructed across a stream of river where water is impounded for
irrigation and for domestic use. The flow of irrigation water is dependent
on the selection of the methods of water distribution to meet the water
needs of the service area. The rotation method is usually employed to
ensure even distribution of available water supply and to ensure that a
wider area will be supplied with irrigation water.

b. The run-off-the-river type. In this method a controllable gate is

constructed along the river or stream. When water outlet is closed, water
level rise which could be diverted to the canals and laterals. The
quantity of water entering the main canal is regulated at the intake gate.
The available water supply is dependent on the elevation at the source.
As a general rule, the supply is proportionate to the height of the source
and volume flowing from the source. During periods of high flow when
available supply becomes abundant, the continuous method is usually
practiced. When the supply is scarce, the rotational method is employed.

c. Pumping type. This method makes use of a pump powered by an engine

installed to draw water from underground or open sources like rivers
and lakes. The available water supply is dependent upon the capacity of
the pumps and the water level. Energy is used to run the system; hence,
higher operation expenses are incurred. When using this type, never
allow the rice paddies to dry and have cracks, which will cause water
seepage making irrigation more expensive.

Whatever type of irrigation is used, cooperation among farmers is

to be practiced at all times in order to implement the schedule of
irrigation calendar for an efficient and effective rotation method.
Irrigating the field using water pump, at the panicle initiation stage of rice where water supply is
very important.

Efficient Water Use and Disposal

To determine the right amount of water to use, consider the following:

1. Rice variety. You may need more water for the late maturing varieties
than early maturing varieties.
2. Season. Wet season crops need less water than dry season crops.
3. Types of soil. Clay or clay loam soil needs less water than light soil such
as sand.
4. Presence of weeds. Flooding the field always prevent the growth of weeds.

Water may be lost through the following processes:

1. Evaporation. It is the direct loss of water from the water surface or

moist soil surface. The amount of water that evaporates is influenced by
high intensity of sunlight, strong and dry wind, and high temperature.
Second crop rice production which is on time with the summer season
needs more water to sustain growth and yield.
2. Transpiration. It is the loss of water from the leaves. Transpiration is
affected by the weather condition. More water will be lost during dry
season which explains the need of constant irrigation.
3. Seepage. Water moves sideways within the soil. It may pass through the
dike or below the ground. This can be minimized if the dikes and levees
are well-maintained.
4. Percolation. It is the downward flow of water. Its occurrence is high if
the soil is sandy, deep, and has a deep-water table.
Well-puddled rice paddies minimize percolation and tend to hold water
efficiently.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER

• The three systems of irrigation are:
1. reservoir type
2. run – off – the river or free flowing
3. pumping type

• The methods of water distribution are:

1. rotational
 2. continuous method

• The factors to consider in determining the right amount of irrigation

water to use are:
1. rice variety
2. season
3. type of soil
4. presence of weeds

• The six stages of rice growth when the rice field has to be drained:
1. during transplanting
2. early stage of growth
3. weeding
4. fertilizer application
5. maximum tillering stage
6. two weeks before harvesting

• Adequate water supply is needed to:

o facilitate land preparation especially leveling; o ensure good crop
establishment with faster root development;
o promote seedling vigor and normal crop growth and development
with minimal lodging; and
o facilitate better nutrient uptake with the right amount and timing
of water.
• Efficient water management means
o Achieve 3-5 cm water depth every irrigation time from early tillering
until 1-2 weeks before crop maturity or harvest.
A water depth of about 3-5 cm will be maintained from 10 DAT or
10-15 DAS to near crop maturity will ensure water status for
optimum crop growth and yield. However, under field conditions,
irrigation water supply may be insufficient to maintain a flooded
soil condition or a certain surface water depth. While a certain
flood water depth can control weeds, saturated soil condition at an
early crop growth stage can reduce snail mobility and damage.

• Stop irrigation one week before harvesting for medium textured soil and
2 weeks before harvesting for fine textured soil.
This ensures sufficient moisture to complete grain filling and
facilitates harvest operations. This also helps ensure better grain
appearance, i.e., grains will not be splashed with mud and water.
Process

Activity#1

Make a powerpoint presentation on effective and efficient water management

on rice production. Encourage fellow students’ interactions to broaden your
knowledge.

Reflect and Understand

Activity#2

Access the website of the different agencies and companies engaged in rice
research. Study and compare their water management technologies. Select one
which you believe is best suited to the community and present it in class.

Transfer

Activity#3

As an offshoot of your research papers that you had presented in the class,
demonstrate the technology selected in the assigned area in the school farm.
Encourage your farmer-cooperators/learners to explore the fun of cooperative
work and learn with you.

POST TEST

Answer the following questions. Write your answer on your quiz notebook.

1. Enumerate the procedure in installing the water pump to irrigate rice

paddies.
2. Describe in, at least, 10 sentences how to minimize water loses in the
rice paddies.
3. Identify the six stages of rice growth when the field is to be drained and
give the importance of doing it.

Resources
1. References
2. Foot rule to measure the depth of water
3. Irrigation pump, if necessary
 Glossary of Terms

DAT – days after transplanting

Tillering stage – starts with the development and appearance of the first
shoot/tiller and ends when the plant stops producing tillers
Panicle initiation – beginning of the reproductive phase characterized by
the formation of the panicle within the stalks
Milk stage – stage of rice growth when the content of the grain becomes
milky
Irrigation – the application of water needed by the plant by means of any
method
Drainage –a shallow canal to remove excess water from the field when
not needed