Effect of Two Different Irrigation Strategies on the Yield Components of Five Rice Varieties in a Cold Mediterranean climate in the South-Central Zone of Chile

Rice is one of the agricultural species that consumes a lot water. In countries with cold climates such as Chile, 200 mm high sheet water used to cope night temperatures below 10 °C. This practice 18,000 m3 ha-1 per season. Climate change currently major problem, where reduction in precipitation can exceed 40%. Under this context, current rice production system unsustainable. The objective research seeks evaluate five varieties different lengths productive cycle, under two management strategies (intermittent vs. traditional irrigation), evaluating yield components varieties. trial was conducted Mediterranean climate South-Central zone characterized by low temperatures. commercial variety Zafiro (Oryza sativa sp. japonica), which showed good yields flood irrigation conditions 8,100 and 7,300 kg/ha for both seasons, respectively. However, intermittent conditions, it drastic 94 42% While short-cycle MA042, 12,663 11,063 strategy while AWD only 34 4% reduction, use short cycle varieties, require less are more tolerant temperatures, represent option farmers climates, resources an increasingly scarce commodity.