Abstract
In the Mediterranean arid and semi-arid regions, large amounts of low quality waters could be used for crop irrigation, but the adoption of articulated classifications with too rigid quality limits can often reduce the recoverable quantities of water and make the monitoring of water quality too much expensive. Therefore, an evaluation of irrigation water quality based on only a few crucial parameters, which consider the crop species to be irrigated and the type of irrigation system and management adopted, can be an easy and flexible method for maximizing the reuse of wastewater and low-quality water for agricultural purposes. In this view, an irrigation water quality tool (IWQT) was developed to support farmers of arid and semi-arid regions on evaluating the use of low quality water for crop irrigation. The most significant and cheapest parameters of irrigation water quality were identified and clustered in three quality classes according to their effects on crop yield and soil fertility (agronomic quality indicators), human health (hygiene and health quality indicators), and irrigation systems (management quality indicators). According to IWQT parameters, a tool reporting a series of recommendations, including water treatment types, was implemented to guide farmers on the use of low quality irrigation water.
Highlights
In the Mediterranean region, the urban population is expected to increase [1], leading to more water consumption
Under the ACCBAT project (Adaptation to Climate Change through improved water demand management in irrigated agriculture by introduction of new technologies and best agricultural practices), an usable irrigation water quality tool (IWQT) to determine the irrigation water use conditions in relation to water quality was developed for Jordan, Tunisia, and Lebanon to increase the use of treated wastewaters and desalinated brackish waters as a water supply source for irrigation
When the value of the irrigation water falls in the warning quality thresholds, the IWQT advises to follow specific recommendations reported in a specific sheet
Summary
In the Mediterranean region, the urban population is expected to increase [1], leading to more water consumption. Fader et al [13] state that, at present, the Mediterranean region could save up to 35% of water used by implementing more efficient irrigation and conveyance systems, but it is difficult to meet the agriculture water demand only using conventional water resources. In this case, the use of wastewater or low-quality water may represent a valid solution [14,15]. Salinity: salts in soil or water reduce the water availability to the crop to such an extent that yield is affected; Water infiltration rate: relatively high sodium or low calcium content of soil or water reduces the rate at which irrigation water enters soil to such an extent that sufficient water cannot be infiltrated to supply the crop adequately from one irrigation to the ; Specific ion toxicity: certain ions (e.g., sodium, chloride, or boron) from soil or water may accumulate in a sensitive crop to concentrations high enough to cause crop damage and reduce yields; Miscellaneous: excessive nutrients reduce yield or quality, unsightly deposits on fruit or foliage reduce marketability, and excessive corrosion of equipment increases maintenance and repairs
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