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Determining the Effect of Climate Change on Seasonal
Crop Water Requirements of Irrigated Lowland Rice (Oryza sativa)
under Different Climatic Environments

Cyra Gail P. Fernandez1, Ronaldo B. Saludes2, Moises A. Dorado3, Pompe C. Sta Cruz4

 ABSTRACT

Changes in temperature and rainfall pattern can lead to negative impacts on crop production. Limited water resources for agricultural production can also lead to a considerable yield reduction. In this study, climate projections at different greenhouse gas emission scenarios were used in determining the effect of climate change on seasonal crop water requirement (CWR) and irrigation requirement (IR) of lowland rice at different climatic environments. Climate projections from year 2020 to 2059 were generated using MarkSim. Crop evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements of lowland rice were simulated using FAO CROPWAT. Analysis of projected maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall showed increasing trend through time. Seasonal CWR and IR showed highest projected change at 2050. Highest projected change in CWR during wet and dry seasons were 4.01% and 3.84% in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 3.30% and 3.54% in Los Baños, Laguna and 4.12% and 4.34% in Cabagan, Isabela, respectively. Highest projected change in IR during wet and dry seasons were 10.16% and 1.38% in Muñoz, 22.81% and 4.76% in Los Baños and 5.07% and 7.44% in Cabagan, respectively. The results showed that the irrigation requirements must be considered in improving the capacity of irrigation systems to satisfy the increasing water demand of rice brought about by climate change.

Keywords: crop water requirement, irrigation requirement, climate change, FAO CROPWAT,irrigated lowland rice

1MSAGME Graduate, Agrometeorology and Farm Structures Division, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Ban os, 4031 College, Laguna, Philippines
2 Associate Professor 2, 3Professor 1, Agrometeorology and Farm Structures Division, Institute of Agricultural Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Ban os, 4031 College, Laguna, Philippines. (Author for correspondence email: [email protected]; Tel.: +63 49 536 2941)
4Professor, Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science, University of the Philippines Los Ban os, College, Laguna, Philippines