The effect of water management on rice growth and grain yield

Abstract

Key findings • Grain yield of rice grown without ponded water (aerobic), was over 2 t/ha lower than rice grown with conventional drill or delayed permanent water practice. • Reducing the ponding period on a rice crop reduces water use. Aerobic water management takes it to the extreme, with no extended ponding during the crop’s growth. • Different nitrogen management is required for rice grown aerobically, with two applications producing the highest grain yield in this experiment.