Research on Water Saving Irrigation by Using Soil Water Potential as Irrigation Criterion

In order to investigate the effects of different water regimes on the growth and development, yield, as well as water productivity of rice, the experiment was carried out in the plots at Huibei irrigation experiment station, Kaifeng, Henan province, during June to October in 2002. The results follow that: water stress reduced rice yield by affecting the growth and development of root, stem, and leaf et al in different growth periods and by decreasing the effective tillers. Contrast to the traditional irrigation regime, irrigating when the soil water potential is below -30 kPa had no significant effect on yield, however would greatly save irrigation water and improve water productivity. It would be the optimal rice irrigation regime rice in this area.