EFFECT OF SOIL PROFILE VARIATION ON WATER. 'MANAGEMENT IN RICE

Abstract

This study concentrates on the effect of soil profile variations on water management in rice crop. Three investigation sites were selected. These sites are located on the Demonstration Farm of the University of Roorkee, Roorkee, U.P., (India).Proflie from each site was analyzed .Infiltration tests were conducted over a period of three months (July, August, and Sept. 1993). Soil profiles of the three sites were analyzed. Two sites were somewhat 'similar whereas the 'third one was different. Water application in each site 'was recorded and compared with each other. Position 'of water table was recorded weekly for the whole growing period (5 months, from June to Oct. 1993). Seepage and percolation losses were assumed as analogus to basic infiltration rate. Dry matter production. was calculated and compared with. the actual one obtained from the sites. As it can be expected, the study showed that the soils recording deeper the depth of sandyloam soil overlying the heavy soil require more water and records less production as compared to shallow sandy soil depth. This ' study has. its potential usefulness in pre-investigating (planning) the optimal cropping patterns and. irrigation 'scheduling criterion for new fields.