Irrigation and production of rice in Abu Raya, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Included are descriptions of the irrigation and cropping systems, studies to define irrigation and production constraints, assessments of solutions, and descriptions of related pilot programs. Irrigation water delivery studies show that modifying the rotation schedule in order to provide extra water during long off periods during the rice nursery period would enhance seedling development. Also, curtailing the 4-on, 4-off rotation by up to 1 month at the end of the season when rice is drying in the fields would reduce the water flowing directly into the drains. Rice irrigation and production studies show that high on-farm conveyence losses, unlevel fields, and losses through perimeter bunds increase irrigation frequency and total application of more water than necessary; that current water supply in puddling fields is inadequate; that micronutrient deficiency of zinc reduces yield; and that soil salinity (which rice cultivation has proven effective in combating) may affect seedling development. Rice water requirements were measured to be near 8,000 square m/feddan (50% for evapotranspiration, 50% for percolation) - slightly above the Ministry of Irrigation"s (MOI) water duty for rice. In one set of field trials, precision land leveling resulted in a 14% water savings. Field trials to test the effect of zinc application to nurseries produced significant yield increases. While mechanical transplanting of seedlings has been demonstrated, the need for special matted nurseries may limit wide-scale use. A pilot demonstration program currently being implemented to improve on-farm water management in Kafr El-Shiekh is briefly described. Available results of the program for the 1981 rice crop are included. Relevant recommendations made to the MOI are provided. (Author abstract, modified)