Integrating Modified Sheet-Pipe Technology in Rice Field Subsurface Water Management

Abstract

The development of subsurface irrigation and drainage technology offers a sustainable solution to agricultural water management, enhancing efficiency and environmental resilience. This research focuses on the implementation of the sheet-pipe for subsurface water management system, designed to optimize water usage while mitigating excess runoff and soil saturation. The system features perforated pipes enveloped by calcite-reinforced sand, making it particularly suitable for narrow or hard-to-access farmland. Comparative flow capacity tests revealed that sheet-pipe (SP-C) and perforated PVC pipe (PP-C) systems with calcite-reinforced sand achieved faster water flow rates than geotextile-covered alternatives. A same quantity of discharge accumulation  was reached within 90 seconds for SP-C and 100 seconds for PP-C. Further experiments integrated the modified sheet-pipe system with the cultivation of eight rice varieties developed by breeders at IPB University. Results demonstrated water productivity based on evapotranspiration at 0.882 kg/m³ and total water input at 0.082 kg/m³. The findings underscore the sheet-pipe system’s potential to enhance irrigation practices, offering scalable and efficient water management solutions for various agricultural contexts.