Management and Quality Assurance of Irrigation Water in the Sustainable Production of Selenium-Enriched Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

There is a growing need for strategic actions involving efficient water use, sustainableagricultural production, and food security. Agricultural productivity can be improved through goodagricultural practices based on water-quality management, new genetically modified resources, andusing precision agriculture. This study aimed to monitor the crop water (supply, irrigation, andflooding) of an advanced rice (Oryza sativa L.) line of the breeding program (OP 1509) subjected toSelenium (Se) enrichment. Water lines in a paddy rice field were monitored by Unmanned AerialVehicles (UAVs). The parameters of pH, pHs, electrical conductivity, temperature, HCO3−, Cl−,SO42−, PO43−, Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ were analyzed. According to the Piper diagram, the sampleswere classified as sodium chloride bicarbonate (supply) and sodium bicarbonate chloride (irrigationand flooding). The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) was calculated and indicated that waters aregood to use in agricultural practices. According to the Wilcox classification, regarding agricultureuse, the samples were classified as C2S1 (supply and irrigation) and C3S1 (flooding). The Seleniumcontents were analyzed by atomic absorption and significant differences were observed in rice grains,with a maximum content of 10 mg.kg−1. In conclusion, the water quality is in accordance with theparameters for use in this crop and the workflow used improved the grain quality.