Water and Crop Management Technologies: Physiological Response and Yield of Biofortified Rice

Biofortified rice has emerged as one of the most promising strategies to enhance the micronutrient content of staple crops, offering a practical pathway to reduce stunting and improve nutritional security. In response to the challenges posed by climate change, water scarcity, and the need for more efficient production systems, this study examined the effects of water- and crop- management technologies on the physiological performance and yield of biofortified rice. A factorial randomized complete block design compared continuous flooding and alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation with two crop management systems: conventional and a new technology. The AWD system enhanced photosynthesis without significantly affecting transpiration or stomatal conductance, indicating improved carbon assimilation and more efficient water use. Both AWD and the new technology individually increased dry grain yield per clump, while their combination produced heavier grains, higher productivity, greater 1000-grain weight, and improved water-use efficiency compared with other treatments. Although yield differences were not statistically significant, the consistent upward trends indicate synergistic potential when nutrient management is optimized. Overall, integrating AWD irrigation with new technology crop management can enhance resource efficiency in biofortified rice cultivation while maintaining yield stability under water- limited conditions.