Efficient Water Management Strategies and Recharge Potential Under Rice-Based Cropping Systems

Efficient water management is critical for sustainable agriculture, especially in rice-based cropping systems, which are highly water intensive. This chapter explores various water management strategies aimed at optimizing water-use efficiency and enhancing groundwater recharge potential in rice cultivation. Traditional practices often lead to substantial water wastage due to continuous flooding. In contrast, innovative techniques such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), system of rice intensification (SRI), and direct seeded rice (DSR) have shown promise in reducing water consumption without compromising yields and by increasing the water-use efficiencies. The water-use efficiency ranges from 11.0% to 70.0% in these methods of rice cultivation. In terms of water table recharge, DSR method performs better as it allows higher percolation and less surface runoff. This allows the water to percolate down and recharge the groundwater. However, agricultural managed aquifer recharge can be helpful for increasing the groundwater recharge in any cropping system.