Abstract
The development of intensive horticulture in Almería, with a huge increase in greenhouse surface area, is related to three essential factors: climatic characteristics, groundwater use and mulching sandy soil. The purpose of the present paper is to draw a picture of the integral management of water irrigation in the intensive horticultural systems in the region, by identifying the most significant water resource contributions and alternative water resources. Results indicate that the use of groundwater for the irrigation of horticultural crops in the greenhouses presents a high degree of overexploitation of the aquifers, but due to the continuous search for alternative water resources, such as desalinated and reclaimed water, as well as in-depth knowledge of the integral management of water irrigation through automated fertigation and localized irrigation systems, the current status of the water resources could be sustainable. Moreover, being conscious of the pollution generated by agricultural leachates, the horticultural system of Almería is implementing complementary sustainable systems such as recirculation, cascade cropping systems and phytodepuration for the reuse of the leachate. Considering all these factors, it can be concluded that the intensive horticultural system is on the right path towards respecting the environment and being sustainable in terms of water use.
Highlights
Human activity and natural factors are depleting available water resources around the world
The main aim of this work is to show the current status of water resources in the horticultural production system in Almería, considering the use of alternative water resources as well as the implementation of new technologies focused on the improvement of water use efficiency, and the reuse and/or treatment of leachates in order to improve the sustainability of this system
Rodriguez et al [26] studied the implementation of automatic fertigation systems in the horticultural system in Almería, concluding that this technology led to better water and nutrient use efficiencies in horticultural crops, so there was a saving in the inputs of this system
Summary
Human activity and natural factors are depleting available water resources around the world. The development of intensive horticulture in this region, with a huge increase in the greenhouse area in the last 50 years (Figure 1) is related to three factors: climatic characteristics, groundwater use and the use of mulching in sandy soils [2]. Directive 91/676/EEC aims to protect water quality in Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters, and Directive (98/83/EC) establishes the criteria of the composition of the water considered suitable for human consumption. The main aim of this work is to show the current status of water resources in the horticultural production system in Almería, considering the use of alternative water resources as well as the implementation of new technologies focused on the improvement of water use efficiency, and the reuse and/or treatment of leachates in order to improve the sustainability of this system. This work could be very useful, worldwide, in horticultural production areas with a water scarcity problem similar to the one in Almería
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