Water use efficiency Production (of crops) per unit of water applied. Expressed in kg/ha-mm. Two distinct terms are used in expressing water use efficiency: Crop water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the amount of water depleted by the crop in the process of evapotranspiration (ET). Crop WUE = Y/ET Field water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the total amount of water used in the field (WR), which include ET, deep percolation and that used in plant metabolic processes. Field WUE = Y/WR

1. Presented by:
Anjaly V (L-2020-A-4-D)
Anju Bala (L-2020-A-4-D)
Management Practices for Improving
Water Use Efficiency of Crops

2. Water use efficiency
Production (of crops) per unit of water applied.
Expressed in kg/ha-mm.
Two distinct terms are used in expressing water use efficiency:
Crop water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the amount
of water depleted by the crop in the process of evapotranspiration (ET).
• Crop WUE = Y/ET
Field water use efficiency: It is the ratio of crop yield (Y) to the total
amount of water used in the field (WR), which include ET, deep percolation
and that used in plant metabolic processes.
• Field WUE = Y/WR

3. Factors Affecting Water Use Efficiency
•Nature of plant
•Varieties
•Agronomic practices
•Irrigation
•Fertilization
•Climate
•Soil condition

4. a. Selection of crops/varieties
Select plant species adapted to the total amount and
distribution of water in an area
C4 and CAM plants have more photosynthesis rate
and water use efficiency as compared to C3 plants
Varietal characters associated with efficient
utilization of water include- short duration and early
vigour, deep rooting behavior, short stature,
moderate tillering etc.
Measures to increase water use efficiency

5. b. Time of planting
Time of sowing/planting is the non-monitory input.
Ensure higher yields and optimum utilization of the
applied resources.
Shift the planting/transplanting time of crops from
high to low evaporative (ET) demand.
c. Method of planting
Direct effect on yield, solar energy capture and soil
water evaporation and thus an indirect effect on
water use efficiency.
Help to increase the yield or reduce the total
irrigation water to be applied to crop.

6. d. Row spacing and seed rate
Narrow row spacing can result in higher yields and
water use efficiency.
Soil water evaporation is reduced with higher
planting density.
The desirable plant density which could be
supported by available moisture up to production of
economic part is recommended.
e. Tillage practices
Increases water storage by increasing infiltration.
Sub-soiling or deep tillage facilitate root expansion
and soil moisture abstraction.

7. f. Nutrient management
Combination of chemical fertilizer with organic nutrient sources or bio-
fertilizers increase growth and yield.
 Nitrogen and Phosphorus management.
Inclusion of legume in the system.

8. g. Weed control
Weeds often have higher water requirements than the crop plants.
Different methods of weed prevention and control

9. h. Water management
Limited or deficit irrigation
 Surge irrigation
 More efficient irrigation systems- drip, sprinkler
 Alternate wetting and drying in rice cultivation
Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater

10. i. Cropping systems
Continuous cropping can increase water productivity over a series of
crops.
Choice of crops tactically.
Growing winter crops immediately after rice harvest increases the
WUE of rice-based cropping systems.
Intercropping.

11. Other management practices

12. a. Mulching

13. b. Antitranspirants
1. Stomata closing type- PMA, Atrazine
2. Film forming type- Mobileaf, Hexadecanol, Silicon
3. Reflection type- Kaolin, Celite
4. Growth retardants- Cycocel
c. Controlled soil drying

14. d. Water harvesting
e. Integrating agriculture-aquaculture

15. Thank you