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There is a growing need for strategic actions involving efficient water use, sustainable agricultural production, and food security. Agricultural productivity can be improved through good agricultural practices based on water-quality management, new genetically modified resources, and using precision agriculture. This study aimed to monitor the crop water (supply, irrigation, and flooding) of an advanced rice (Oryza sativa L.) line of the breeding program (OP 1509) subjected to Selenium (Se) enrichment. Water lines in a paddy rice field were monitored by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (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 samples were classified as sodium chloride bicarbonate (supply) and sodium bicarbonate chloride (irrigation and flooding). The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) was calculated and indicated that waters are good to use in agricultural practices. According to the Wilcox classification, regarding agriculture use, the samples were classified as C2S1 (supply and irrigation) and C3S1 (flooding). The Selenium contents 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 the parameters for use in this crop and the workflow used improved the grain quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing data are powerful tools that contribute to sustainability and efficiency in crop management. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is widely recognized as one of the most important crops in terms of economic and social impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in providing valuable information regarding plant health and status with respect to two rice varieties (Ariete and Ceres) submitted to a biofortification workflow with two types of selenium (sodium selenate and sodium selenite). In this context, through the use of synchronized UAVs, the state of the culture was further assessed. As well, digital elevation models, water lines, slope classes/infiltration suitability, and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were considered. Additionally, leaf gas exchange measurements were conducted during the biofortification process and Se content in rice was quantified. The NDVI index ranged from 0.76 to 0.80, with no significant differences regarding control. The water drainage pattern following the artificial pattern created by grooves between plots was observed. Furthermore, selenite application up to 100 g Se.ha−1 did not exhibit toxicity effects on the biofortified plants and presented grain enrichment of 16.09 µg g−1 (Ariete) and 15.46 µg g−1 (Ceres). In conclusion, precision agriculture techniques and the utilization of data from leaf gas exchanges allow for efficient monitoring of experimental field conditions and are highly useful tools in decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]