Luis Vicente and colleagues, in their article published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development (2025), investigate the impact of alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation combined with biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More on rice productivity in Mediterranean environments. The study examines both fresh and field-aged biochar effects across three years.

AWD irrigation, a water-saving strategy, alternates between drying and wetting cycles, contrasting with traditional continuous flooding. While effective in conserving water, its influence on rice yields varies depending on soil properties and management practices. This study incorporated biochar, a carbon-rich organic amendment, to enhance soil quality and offset potential yield losses under AWD conditions.

Field trials showed that severe AWD reduced rice yields compared to mild AWD and continuous flooding. However, the application of biochar improved soil carbon content, water retention, and enzymatic activity, mitigating yield penalties under severe AWD. Notably, field-aged biochar outperformed fresh biochar in enhancing rice productivity over time. The highest water use efficiency (WUE) was observed under severe AWD with biochar, demonstrating the strategy’s potential for sustainable irrigation.

The findings suggest that combining AWD with biochar can improve water productivity and maintain rice yields in water-scarce regions. The authors highlight the need for region-specific optimization of irrigation thresholds and biochar application rates to ensure sustainability.

SOURCE: Vicente, L., Peña, D., Fernández, D., Albarrán, A., Rato-Nunes, J. M., & López-Piñeiro, A. (2025). Alternate wetting and drying irrigation with field-aged biochar may enhance water and rice productivity. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 45(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-024-01000-3