Rainwater harvesting and water-saving irrigation for enhancing land productivity in upland rice cultivation

Nani Heryani; Budi Kartiwa; Popi Rejekiningrum; Aris Pramudia; Hendri Sosiawan

doi:10.24831/jai.v51i3.50325

Nani Heryani Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, INDONESIA
Budi Kartiwa Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, INDONESIA
Popi Rejekiningrum Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, INDONESIA
Aris Pramudia Research Center for Climate and Atmosphere, Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jl. Dr. Djundjunan No. 133, Bandung 40173, INDONESIA
Hendri Sosiawan Research Center for Limnology and Water Resources, Research Organization for Earth Sciences and Maritime, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor Km 46, Cibinong, Bogor 16911, INDONESIA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24831/jai.v51i3.50325

Abstract

The development of dry land requires precise planning due to its climate-sensitive nature. It is essential to ensure water availability to meet crop water requirements. Rainwater harvesting remains underutilized in upland rice cultivation. The field experiment was conducted in Tulungagung Regency, East Java province, Indonesia from August to December 2017. The research aimed to develop water harvesting technology and irrigation management for upland rice. The nested design was the experimental design with irrigation levels and varieties of upland rice treatments. Four irrigation levels were farmer's customs, 70%, 85%, and 100% of the crop water requirement, while the varieties were Situ Patenggang, Inpago-9, and Inpago-11. Our findings revealed that 70% of the crop water requirement was sufficient for upland rice cultivation in dryland. Crop yields were unaffected by the irrigation level. Differences among upland rice varieties were only significant on plant height character. There was an increased cropping index due to additional water sources in the last months of the dry season until the early rainy season. Rainwater harvesting can be adapted to climate change, especially in areas that often experience water shortages.

Keywords: dry land, channel reservoir, irrigation level, crop water requirement