Increasing rainwater utilization efficiency is a key factor in improving rice yields on well-draines soils. We evaluated the possiblity of improving field rainwater storage through installation of subsurface percolation barriers. Polyethylene sheets were inserted at 25 cm and 40 cm depths in experiments at Ubon, northeast Thailand, NAD IRRI, Philippines, on soils ranging in texture from loamy sand to clay. The barriers mintained surface flooding throughout the growing season, whereas in non-barrier plots surface water accumulation was brief and severe drought stress was induced. Total dry matter yields in Ubon were increased from 1.6 t/ha tp 6.2t/ha with barrier installation.
Publication year
1992
Authors
Garrity, D.P.; Vejpas C; Herrera W T
Language
English
Keywords
green manures, rainwater, philippines, rice fields
Geographic
Philippines, Thailand
