Grain Yield and Seed Quality of Rice Plants as Affected by Water-saving Irrigation

This experiment investigated seed yield and grain quality of rice plants treated with different irrigation methods (water supply until complete saturation, field capacity, and surface soil crack) compared with a conventional irrigation method (inundation). Each treatment began 20 days after transplanting and ended 35 days after heading. There was an 8, 18 and 18% reduction in irrigation water in the three treatments, respectively. Rice yield with complete saturation treatment was similar to that of conventional irrigation, while those of field capacity and soil crack were less by 7 and 13%. The ratio of filled grain was lower and amylose content was higher in the water-saving irrigation than those from conventional irrigation.