Islam et al. (2026) Future-proofing raised bed irrigation for rabi maize using sensor-based soil moisture monitoring, AquaCrop modeling, and CMIP6-based climate projections in Bangladesh

Identification

• Journal: Agricultural Water Management
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-09-02
• Authors: Md Touhidul Islam, Akash, Mst Rimi Khatun, Nusrat Jahan, Md. Azizul Hakim, Ajoy Kumar Saha, Shaikh Abdullah Al Mamun Hossain, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, A. K. M. Adham
• DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110740

Research Groups

• Department of Irrigation and Water Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
• Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh
• Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States
• Department of Agricultural Engineering, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Short Summary

This study integrates multi-season field experimentation, sensor-based soil moisture monitoring, FAO AquaCrop calibration and validation, and a ten-model CMIP6 ensemble to evaluate raised bed furrow irrigation as a climate adaptation strategy for rabi maize production in north-central Bangladesh. The results show that medium-raised beds (65 cm) deliver the highest grain yield, water productivity, and harvest index while reducing seasonal water use by 19-21% relative to conventional flood irrigation.

Objective

• Evaluate the agronomic performance of four irrigation management configurations (conventional flood, wide raised bed, medium raised bed, and narrow raised bed) for rabi maize production in north-central Bangladesh.
• Assess the effect of climate change on crop water demand and yield stability under current production practices using CMIP6-based future climate projections.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Field experiment conducted at the BAU Field Irrigation Laboratory, Mymensingh, Bangladesh (24°15'–25°10' N, 90°15'–90°45' E).
• Temporal Scale: Two consecutive rabi maize seasons (2023–2024 and 2024–2025).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: FAO AquaCrop model for crop water simulation.
• Data sources: Field experimental data, CMIP6 climate projections.

Main Results

• Medium-raised beds (65 cm) deliver the highest grain yield (12.65 t/ha), water productivity (4.10 kg/m³), and harvest index (0.48).
• Seasonal water use reduced by 19.1% and 21.4% relative to conventional flood irrigation.
• Sensor profiles confirm that medium-raised beds sustain root-zone moisture at 200–400 mm depths comparable to conventional flood irrigation.

Contributions

• This study provides the first integration of multi-season field experimentation, sensor-based soil moisture monitoring, FAO AquaCrop calibration and validation, and a ten-model CMIP6 ensemble for evaluating raised bed furrow irrigation as a climate adaptation strategy for rabi maize production in north-central Bangladesh.
• The results demonstrate the potential of medium-raised beds to improve crop water productivity while reducing seasonal water use under future climatic conditions.

Funding

• This research was funded by [insert funding agency/project name and reference code].

Citation

@article{Islam2026Futureproofing,
  author = {Islam, Md Touhidul and Akash and Khatun, Mst Rimi and Jahan, Nusrat and Hakim, Md. Azizul and Saha, Ajoy Kumar and Hossain, Shaikh Abdullah Al Mamun and Rahman, Mohammed Mizanur and Adham, A. K. M.},
  title = {Future-proofing raised bed irrigation for rabi maize using sensor-based soil moisture monitoring, AquaCrop modeling, and CMIP6-based climate projections in Bangladesh},
  journal = {Agricultural Water Management},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110740},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110740}
}