Comparison of soil preparation methods for rice production in the Middle Nile Delta,Egypt

Field experiments were conducted during the summer seasons of 2011 and 2012 in the Middle Delta of Egypt to compare alterations in saving water and grain yield of transplanted rice in clay loam soil after compaction, wet tillage (puddling) and dry tillage (non-puddling). The results indicate that compacted soil gave higher grain yield, higher irrigation water productivity, higher net income, higher benefit–cost ratio, and less water consumption than wet and dry tillage. The results suggest that soil compaction by four passes of steel plank (2 m long and 600 kg weight) before planting rice is beneficial in terms of saving water and net return. In addition, it can be used instead of the non-puddling method under the conditions of the studied area. Therefore, soil compaction can be considered as a pioneering method of pre-planting soil preparation to increase rice yield and to save irrigation water. It is highly recommended to be used by farmers.