Drip-cum-plastic mulch technology for high yield, cost-effectiveness, and water productivity in sustainable rice production

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2024 and 2025 to evaluate the effect of irrigation methods, crop establishment techniques, and mulching practices on the growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and water productivity of direct-seeded Basmati rice under sub-tropical conditions. The experiment comprised combinations of drip irrigation (I₁) and surface irrigation (I₂), raised bed sowing (S₁) and flatbed sowing (S₂), with and without mulch (M₁ and M₀ respectively). The results revealed significant differences among treatment combinations for all growth, yield, and nutrient parameters. Among the treatments, drip irrigation combined with raised bed sowing and mulch application (I₁S₁M₁) consistently recorded superior performance across both years. This treatment produced the highest plant height (78.9 and 73.1 cm at 90 DAS), leaf area index (5.0 and 4.6), root dry matter (41.8 and 38.5 g m⁻²), and dry matter production (1053.3 and 969.0 g m⁻²). Yield attributes such as panicle length, effective tillers, and grains per panicle were also significantly enhanced under I₁S₁M₁, resulting in the highest grain yield (5.4 and 4.9 t ha⁻¹), straw yield, net returns (₹1,19,699 and ₹1,06,427 ha⁻¹), benefit-cost ratio (2.6 and 2.3), and water productivity (2.04 and 1.88 kg m⁻³). Nutrient content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were also maximized under this treatment combination. Therefore, drip irrigation with raised bed sowing and mulching proved to be the most productive, resource-efficient, and economically viable approach for direct-seeded Basmati rice cultivation. The aim of this research work is to contribute Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of Zero Hunger and Clean Water and Sanitation.