Enhancing the irrigation water productivity of rice farming: A study on sowing and irrigation practices in Pakistan

Abstract In Pakistan's arid agricultural landscape, this 4‐year (2020–2023) study on silty loam soil examined the relationships between sowing methods, irrigation practices, rice yield and water productivity. Using a randomized split block design, no tillage (NT) with alternate wetting and drying (AWD) and a furrow‐irrigated narrow bed (NB) emerged as being consistently competitive, showing potential for sustainable rice cultivation. Key findings indicate that AWD significantly enhances water productivity (11–35%) and increases yield (2–10%) compared to conventional practices. Drip‐irrigated wide beds (WBs) conserve substantial amounts of water (73%) but may compromise rice yield (4–47%). This study provides valuable insights into the dynamic outcomes and distinct performance trends of different rice varieties. The results suggest a potential maximum yield increase of 2–22% through optimized practices, and replacing rice may increase yield by 25–231%. Conversely, the selection of improper irrigation schedules and sowing methods for the given soil and crop conditions may lead to a yield reduction of up to 47% in high‐yielding rice varieties. These findings may help to establish a foundation for further research investigating informed decision making for sowing and irrigation methods. The potential scalability of the identified technologies and further in‐depth simulation strategies across diverse agroecological zones in Pakistan holds promise for widespread adoption, enhancing the sustainability of rice farming in the region.