A review on technological innovations on alternate wetting and drying: Its impact on water-saving, economic, environmental, and social aspects
Paper Details
A review on technological innovations on alternate wetting and drying: Its impact on water-saving, economic, environmental, and social aspects
Abstract
This review emphasizes the crucial requirement for water-saving methods in rice cultivation because of worldwide water scarcity. Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation, proposes a viable solution, which could cut water usage by as much as 38% without negatively affecting rice production, and might even boost it. Implementing AWD can result in financial savings for farmers, reductions in greenhouse gases, and enhanced rice quality characterized by lower arsenic and mercury levels. Nevertheless, the study points out that the broad implementation of AWD faces obstacles, such as the necessity for better monitoring and management systems. To address it, this review centers on technological progress in AWD, particularly advancements made between 2015 and 2024. This study reviewed and examined peer-reviewed articles, conference proceedings, and technical reports from pertinent databases through the use of specific search terms. The review consolidates current researches on technological developments, assessing their influence on crop yield, water usage, fertilizer application, and overall sustainability. The research highlights the ability of IoT-powered automated irrigation systems to amplify the advantages of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). Results show that automated AWD, enabled by the Internet of Things, can lead to a significant decrease in water usage (as much as 36%), lesser irrigation expenses, and higher crop productivity when compared with conventional methods. Equipped with features like sensors, cloud computing, and intuitive interfaces, the systems offer farmers with instant data and remote operation capabilities for efficient water usage. The study recognizes the ecological advantages related with AWD, particularly in decreasing methane emissions, however, attentions about the possibility of heightened nitrous oxide emissions is necessary. This study encourages for more research to overcome problems in the application and to expand the use of these technologies for broader acceptance, recognizing that automated AWD can play a role in helping sustainable rice cultivation.
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Shirly O. Agcaoili (2025), A review on technological innovations on alternate wetting and drying: Its impact on water-saving, economic, environmental, and social aspects; JBES, V26, N6, June, P34-48
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