Multiple environmental benefits of alternate wetting and drying irrigation system with limited yield impact on European rice cultivation: The Ebre Delta case

The AWD is an irrigation technology for rice cultivation, consisting in implementing alternate draining and flooded periods over the growing season, that delivers multiple environmental benefits, such as reduced water consumption, CH 4 emissions arsenic (As) grain content, but can be offset by yield losses. trade-offs between agronomic effects of are crop context-dependent they also vary among different versions studied. Therefore, implementation a safe needs to preceded studies conducted within specific cropping system. A two-year field experiment was assess effect on yield, As heavy metal content grains, greenhouse gas nine representative European cultivars grown Mediterranean area. performed split-plot design with four replications. study revealed significant cultivar response AWD. Among studied cultivars, one them tolerant while group formed showed slight non-significant decline. significantly global warming potential 90% being large mitigation capacity explained negligible N 2 O found both treatments . Finally, ca. 40% concentration increased cadmium though levels remained below recommended thresholds. Further, key nutritional elements like cupper, selenium, zinc. In conclusion, this confirms safely implemented cultivation conditions limited or null impact obtaining associated benefits practice • GWP 90%. Arsenic 40%. Grain maintained under implemented.