Source Of Irrigation Research Articles

Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms

This study investigated the impact of irrigation sources (pond, stream, and well) in high tunnel-dripline systems on the dissemination and persistence of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and the ‘big six’ Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC]) in small specialty crop farms (SSCFs). Ten SSCF-growing fresh tomatoes using high tunnel-dripline systems were sampled between January and November 2022. Selective enrichment combined with PCR was used to detect the selected foodborne pathogens in the irrigation water (n = 240), soil (n = 240), and tomato fruits (n = 120). Overall, surface-originated water sources (streams and ponds) having potential contact with farm animals or wildlife harbored higher pathogen burden (cumulative prevalence of all the pathogens) compared to subsurface water source (well and underground spring water). STEC O26, O45, and O103 were detected at high frequency (up to 88% per SSCF per time point) in the water source and associated dripline irrigation system of 4/6 SSCFs using stream and pond water. Other foodborne pathogens (especially, L. monocytogenes) were detected in 6/10 SSCFs, but at low frequency (<25% per SSCF per time point). The prevalence of foodborne pathogens in the 10 SSCFs over time was positively correlated with the length of high tunnel and planting date (r2 = 0.93 and 0.79, respectively; P < 0.006). Our study highlighted that dripline irrigation systems may allow the long-distance transport of foodborne pathogens from the contaminated water source to the field. Risk assessment and mitigation measures should be implemented to assure the quality of the water source used for irrigation in SSCF.

Assessment of Constraints and Suggestion Insights from Beneficiaries of Centrally Sponsored Agricultural Schemes: A study of PKVY, PMKSY and SHC in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra, India

The present study focused on assessing the constraints faced by the beneficiaries of centrally sponsored agricultural schemes namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), and the Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC) and invited suggestions from them to overcome the constraints. For the proposed study, 60 beneficiary farmers were selected from Amravati districts and 60 beneficiary farmers were selected from Buldhana districts in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra for each scheme. Thus, for the three schemes, a total of 360 beneficiary farmers were selected. In the case of PKVY beneficiaries, the major constraints faced were lack of proper marketing channel for organic produce, lack of sustainability in the reduction of cost of organic cultivation and reduced productivity of organic farm produce even after conversion period. Whereas, in the case of constraint faced by PMKSY beneficiaries, the first constraint faced by the beneficiary was longer time for getting the subsidy credited, followed by lack of increase in the sources of irrigation and load shedding of electricity. In the case SHC beneficiaries, the major constraint faced were long time gap between soil sample collection and issuing SHC, difficulty to comprehend the information and follow the recommendations provided in SHC and lack of effective training and demonstrations provided to farmers about soil health. In the case of PKVY beneficiaries, majority of them (74.17%) gave the suggestion for establishment of proper marketing channel for organic produce, followed by 34.17 per cent of them suggested the strengthening of farmer groups and developing them into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Whereas in the case of PMKSY beneficiaries, 84.17 per cent of them suggested to ensure timely crediting of subsidies, followed by expansion of irrigation infrastructure through the construction of water harvesting structures such as check dams, farm ponds, tanks and bore wells (59.16%). In the case of SHC beneficiaries, majority of them (85.83%) gave the suggestion to speed up the process of issuing Soil Health Cards and 71.66 per cent suggested for training programs and field level demonstrations focused on soil health and the practical application of SHC recommendations to improve farmers' knowledge and skills.

Effect of Wastewater Irrigation on Yield, Water Productivity and Economics of Sunflower and Toria Crop

Water scarcity is one of the most important issue affecting the global economy and human livelihoods. Climate change, rapid population growth, freshwater pollution and depletion are among the factors exacerbating the situation. Although not yet fully exploited, wastewater reclamation and reuse are considered potential mechanisms to mitigate the challenge. To evaluate the impact of wastewater on yield, economics, soil nutrient status, seed oil content and water productivity, a two-year experiment at farmers field in Angul, Odisha was taken up. The sunflower yield was found significantly higher with wastewater irrigation (10%) which was mainly contributed by higher head diameter (15.3 cm), no. of achenes per head (467) and 100 achene weight (69g). Similarly, toria crop irrigated with wastewater had higher yield by 11% resulting from higher siliquae per plant (179), no of seeds per siliqua (12.1) and test weight (4.6) compared to freshwater irrigation. Besides this soil nutrients and oil content was higher in wastewater irrigated toria and sunflower crop than freshwater crops. Benefit cost ratio was higher in wastewater irrigated sunflower (3.9) and toria (2.0) crop compared to freshwater irrigated crops (3.0 and 1.4 respectively for sunflower and toria). Water productivity under wastewater irrigation in sunflower (0.38 kg/m3) and toria (0.21 kg/m3) was higher than freshwater irrigated crops by 10-12%. The findings of the present study suggest that wastewater can be used as a source of irrigation for oilseed crop in Angul Odisha where water scarcity is acute during rabi season.

Energy Consumption in Wheat-Rice Cropping System in Punjab

Energy consumption for crop production depends on the availability of energy sources and the capacity of the farmers. This study analyzed energy sources used by farmers for wheat and rice production and identified agricultural operations where energy consumption can be reduced so that operational costs in wheat-rice production system can be lowered. Data on energy use in wheat and rice cropping system was collected by interviewing the farmers using specially designed questionnaire. Relevant information pertaining to human labour use, sources of irrigation, number of irrigations to each crop, quantity of farm inputs, utilization of mechanical power sources and grain yield etc. were collected. The average output energy of grain, input energy, energy ratio and specific energy for wheat crop in the state of Punjab were 68347 MJ ha-1, 15644 MJ ha-1, 8.4 and 3.08 MJ kg-1, respectively. The average output energy of grain, input energy, energy ratio and specific energy for rice were 115888 MJ ha-1, 16438 MJ ha-1, 14.8 and 2.09 MJ kg-1, respectively. For wheat-rice cropping system, the average output energy of grain, input energy, energy ratio and specific energy were 184234.4 MJ ha-1, 32081.4 MJ ha-1, 11.7 and 2.48 MJ kg-1, respectively. Energy ratio (output energy to input energy ratio) of rice is higher than the wheat, indicating rice efficiently utilized energy resources to convert into output of the harvested crop. Similarly, lower specific energy (input energy to yield ratio) of rice as compared to wheat also indicates lower energy consumption to produce per unit of rice. This analysis clearly indicates that rice production is more energy efficient than wheat production in rice-wheat production system. Further, the energy ratio, specific energy and energy productivity of wheat-rice cropping system were estimated as 11.6 to 11.9, 2.44 to 2.51 MJ kg-1 and 0.40 to 0.41kg MJ-1, respectively. This study will be helpful to identify the agricultural operations and implementing suitable interventions for improving energy use efficiency.

Hydrological dynamics of the shire river: Insights from baseflow and recession analysis

The Shire River, a vital waterway in Malawi, plays a pivotal role in the country's economy, serving as a source of electrical power and irrigation for surrounding communities. This study investigates the hydrological dynamics of the Shire River by examining its flow components and the influence of baseflow under varying climatic conditions. Through meticulous baseflow separation using the Eckhardt recursive digital filter and recession analysis, Lake Malawi emerges as the primary contributor to the river's baseflow, sustaining approximately 80%–82% of total flows annually of which about 78% is contributed during wet seasons. Moreover, an inverse relationship between baseflow and rainfall is observed, highlighting the significance of baseflow augmentation during drier periods. Baseflow analysis of wettest and driest years further elucidates precipitation's impact on baseflow fluctuations, emphasizing the intricate interplay between precipitation patterns and baseflow dynamics. Therefore, to ensure the sustainable management of the Shire River, it is crucial to implement policies that support the conservation of groundwater resources and the efficient allocation of water during varying climatic conditions. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the hydrological processes of the Shire River, contributing to enhanced understanding and sustainable management of this essential water resource.

Smallholder farmers' participation in small-scale irrigation system: Insight from Lume District, Ethiopia.

Irrigation systems play a crucial role in ensuring food security and mitigating the impacts of drought and water scarcity. Numerous farmers do not possess the technical expertise required for efficient irrigation management. Therefore, this study examined the determinants that affect participation in small-scale irrigation in the Lume District of Ethiopia. Random sampling techniques were used to select four kebeles from a total of thirteen kebeles that have access to small-scale irrigation in the district. Data was gathered from a sample of 176 randomly selected farm households. The households in these kebeles were divided into two groups: the irrigation users and non-users. The overall sample consisted of 121 irrigation users and 55 non-users, accounting for 68.75% and 31.25% of the total sample, respectively. A binary logistic regression model was utilized to pinpoint the factors influencing participation in these irrigation systems. The results revealed that key factors such as the age of the household head, the family size of the household head, land ownership, proximity to irrigation sources, and access to credit significantly influence engagement in small-scale irrigation. The study suggests that policymakers and stakeholders should enhance credit accessibility and improve the distance to irrigation sites to encourage more significant participation in small-scale irrigation systems.

A Study on Hyperspectral Soil Moisture Content Prediction by Incorporating a Hybrid Neural Network into Stacking Ensemble Learning

The accurate prediction of soil moisture content helps to evaluate the quality of farmland. Taking the black soil in the Nanguan District of Changchun City as the research object, this paper proposes a stacking ensemble learning model integrating hybrid neural networks to address the issue that it is difficult to improve the accuracy of inversion soil moisture content by a single model. First, raw hyperspectral data are processed by removing edge noise and standardization. Then, the gray wolf optimization (GWO) algorithm is adopted to optimize a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a gated recurrent unit (GRU) and an attention mechanism are added to construct a hybrid neural network model (GWO–CNN–GRU–Attention). To estimate soil water content, the hybrid neural network model is integrated into the stacking model along with Bagging and Boosting algorithms and the feedforward neural network. Experimental results demonstrate that the GWO–CNN–GRU–Attention model proposed in this paper can better predict soil water content; the stacking method of integrating hybrid neural networks overcomes the limitations of a single model’s instability and inferior accuracy. The relative prediction deviation (RPD), root mean square error (RMSE), and coefficient of determination (R2) on the test set are 4.577, 0.227, and 0.952, respectively. The average R2 and RPD increased by 0.056 and 1.418 in comparison to the base learner algorithm. The study results lay a foundation for the fast detection of soil moisture content in black soil areas and provide a data source for intelligent irrigation in agriculture.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY INFLUENCING THE POTATO TUBER YIELD IN DOABA REGION OF PUNJAB, INDIA

Groundwater as a source of irrigation is extensively practiced in the Doaba region of Punjab, alongside high inputs such as chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These inputs pose dual threats to the deterioration and deepening of groundwater. Therefore, a survey-based investigation was conducted in the region, involving the collection of groundwater samples, their physico-chemical analysis, and the assessment of harvested potato tuber yields. The data analysis revealed that farmers are extracting groundwater from borewells at a depth of 254.0 feet on average, with a delivery depth of 145.67 feet. The analytical results indicated that all the collected groundwater samples were suitable for irrigation purposes. Furthermore, there was a significantly positive correlation between tuber yield and nitrate content of groundwater. Thus, it is crucial to consider the contribution of nitrate from groundwater when recommending nitrogen usage.

Deciphering Farm Pond Adoption Dynamics and Operational Efficiency in Drought-Prone Regions of Maharashtra, India

The study delves the dynamics of farm pond adoption and operational efficiency in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions of Maharashtra during 2022-23. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, data were collected from 160 beneficiaries and 160 non-beneficiaries, employing focus group discussions and structured interviews. Agricultural risks were examined, revealing a significant impact on farm income. Challenges such as low ground water table (MS 0.978), high temperatures (MS 0.966), and least evapotranspiration (MS 0.759) affected farmers' livelihoods, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary approach to address these issues. The study highlights factors influencing farm pond adoption, with high awareness (96.56%) contrasting with lower adoption rates (51.56%). Adopters cited increased water access (22.81%), and relief from water scarcity (20%) as motives. Non-adopters faced barriers like financial constraints (21.88%) and land shortage (18.75%). Farm pond characteristics were comprehensively explored, revealing variations in size, structure, year of adoption, and irrigation sources. Maintenance activities were examined, showcasing key areas for pond health. Regular inspection (31.88%), vegetation management (17.50%), sediment removal (25.63%), and erosion prevention (19.38 %) emerged as crucial tasks, with variations between the regions. Financial aspects of pond construction and maintenance were elucidated, indicating a need of subsidies. Despite widespread awareness of farm pond benefits, adoption rates remained constrained by financial limitations, land availability, and awareness gaps. The study underscores the importance of targeted interventions, including financial aid, technical guidance, and capacity-building. These efforts are essential for promoting widespread adoption, enhancing agricultural productivity, water management, and the resilience of farming communities in both regions.

Characterization, formation mechanism, and human health risk assessment of fluoride in shallow groundwater of Suzhou city, East China

ABSTRACT Groundwater is a vital water source for human consumption and irrigation. Understanding its fluoride content and health implications is crucial for water resource management. This study investigated the quaternary aquifer in Suzhou, China, collecting and analyzing 49 groundwater samples. Thermodynamic simulation, multivariate statistical analysis, and health risk assessment models were employed to determine fluoride concentration characteristics, hydrochemical controlling mechanisms, and noncarcinogenic risks. Results revealed an average fluoride concentration of 0.89 mg/L, with 26.5% of samples exceeding the Grade III groundwater quality standard. High-fluoride groundwater (&amp;gt;1 mg/L) exhibited spatial heterogeneity and was predominantly of the Na-Mg-HCO3 hydrochemical type. Multivariate analysis and thermodynamics simulations indicated that water–rock interactions (e.g., silicate mineral weathering and fluorite dissolution) governed groundwater hydrochemistry. Fluoride primarily originated from fluoride-bearing mineral dissolution, while negative cation exchange and precipitation of calcite and dolomite enhanced fluoride enrichment. pH had minimal impact on fluoride concentrations under weakly alkaline conditions. Health risk assessment suggested that fluoride in shallow groundwater posed a higher noncarcinogenic risk to children than adults via ingestion. These findings provide valuable insights for regional groundwater resource management.

Effect of Irrigation Water Quality on Selected Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Ethiopia: Review

Saline and sodic water qualities used for irrigation could deteriorate soil physico-chemical properties based on type and amount of salts present in irrigation water and soil type being irrigated. Irrigation water with marginal quality could lead to the buildup of new soil characteristics that affect its fertility and productivity. In line with these issues, this review paper focused on reviewing the effect of irrigation water quality on selected soil physico-chemical properties in Ethiopia. Consequently, irrigation water quality of Errer River of Babile District, Ground water of Babile District, Tumuga and Gerjale irrigation sources, Adamitulu surface and ground water, Abaya Lake water, mixed water (Awash River to Beseka Lake River) and effect of these water sources qualities on selected soil physico-chemical properties were reviewed. The Errer River of Babile District, Tumuga and Gerjale irrigation water quality extent were within and below permissible value based on degree of restriction on use for irrigation and some selected soil physicochemical properties weren’t affected in observable extent due to quality of irrigation water. Certain irrigation water quality extent implied that Ground water of Babile District, Adamitulu Surface and Ground water, Abaya Lake water, mixed water (Awash River to Beseka Lake River) problem of suitability for irrigation and some selected soil physicochemical properties were affected due to extent of irrigation water quality were above threshold limit of irrigation water quality. The reviewed papers indicated that the soil quality was affected due to quality of irrigation water like its quality extent of salinity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and soluble sodium percentage (SSP) as it increased sodium, salt level and salinity in soil due to these parameters of irrigation water quality were above threshold limit, but calcium, magnesium and organic matter particulate content of irrigation water could improve soil fertility. Therefore, monitoring of irrigation water quality and checking of pre-planting and after harvesting soil physicochemical properties is very crucial to reveal and monitor the effect of irrigation water quality on soil physico-chemical properties.

The incorporation of solar energy and compressed air into the energy supply system enhances the environmentally friendly and efficient operation of drip irrigation systems

Photovoltaic-powered drip irrigation is a vital approach to address the irrigation requirements in regions with limited water resources and energy deficiencies, thereby ensuring the provision of sustenance and horticultural produce for local inhabitants. However, the susceptibility of the drip irrigation system to clogging as well as the fluctuations in photovoltaic output can significantly impact irrigation quality. Moreover, conventional storage methods commonly employed in photovoltaic-powered drip irrigation systems, such as elevated water tanks and batteries, exhibit notable technological, economic, and environmental limitations. The present study introduces a novel photovoltaic drip irrigation technology (CAES-PVDI) that utilizes solar energy as the exclusive source of power, enabling stable and cost-effective high-quality drip irrigation. This technology actively regulates solar energy through compressed air energy storage, employing a cyclic pulse discharge method to ensure uniformity in irrigation outflow and significantly enhance the anti-clogging performance of the drip irrigation system. The proposed technology was implemented in a solar greenhouse for drip irrigation, and subsequent tests were conducted to assess its hydraulic performance and anti-clogging properties The results demonstrated that the system achieved a discharge uniformity of no less than 91.76 %. Furthermore, there was no blocked emitter in CAES-PVDI system, and the sedimentation inside the capillary tube decreased by 78.95 %-93.36 % compared to traditional drip irrigation system. In comparison to existing photovoltaic-powered drip irrigation technology, the CAES-PVDI system exhibited exceptional technical indicators and offered significant economic and environmental benefits, thereby presenting a novel approach to promote environmentally friendly and efficient operation of drip irrigation systems.

Impacts of aquaculture wastewater irrigation on soil health, nutrient availability, and date palm fruit quality

Water scarcity and droughts are among the most challenging issues worldwide, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions like Saudi Arabia. Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a major crop in Saudi Arabia, is being significantly affected by water scarcity, soil salinity, and desertification. Alternative water sources are needed to conserve freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has a significant number of aquaculture farms that generate substantial amounts of wastewater, which can be utilized as an alternative source of irrigation. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of aquaculture wastewater as an alternative irrigation source for date palm orchards. Aquaculture wastewater was collected from 12 different farms (Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions, Saudi Arabia) and its quality was analyzed. The impacts of aquaculture wastewater irrigation on soil quality, nutrient availability, nutrient status of date palm trees, and dates fruit quality were assessed in comparison to source water (freshwater) irrigation at Al-Kharj, Al-Muzahmiya, and Al-Qassim regions. The water quality analyses showed higher salinity (EC = 3.31 dSm−1) in farm Q3, while all other farms demonstrated no salinity, sodicity, or alkalinity hazards. Moreover, the aquaculture wastewater irrigation increased soil available P, K, NO3−–N, and NH4+–N by 49.31%, 21.11%, 33.62%, and 52.31%, respectively, compared to source water irrigation. On average, date palm fruit weight, length, and moisture contents increased by 26%, 23%, and 43% under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Further, P, K, Fe, Cu, and Zn contents in date palm leaf were increased by 19.35%, 34.17%, 37.36%, 38.24%, and 45.29%, respectively, under aquaculture wastewater irrigation compared to source water irrigation. Overall, aquaculture wastewater irrigation significantly enhanced date palm plant growth, date palm fruit quality, and soil available nutrients compared to freshwater irrigation. It was concluded that aquaculture wastewater can be used as an effective irrigation source for date palm farms as it enhances soil nutrient availability, date palm growth, and date fruit yield and quality. The findings of this study suggest that aquaculture wastewater could be a viable alternative for conserving freshwater resources and increase date palm production in Saudi Arabia.

Formation Mechanism and Source Apportionment of Hydrochemical Components in Groundwater in the Yinchuan Plain

Groundwater is one of the major water sources for production, living, and agricultural irrigation in the Yinchuan Plain. Owing to the influence of the regional environmental background and long-term effects of human activities, groundwater quality is generally inferior. To deeply analyze the formation mechanism and source of hydrochemical components in groundwater in the Yinchuan Plain, the traditional hydrochemical graphic method and mathematical statistics and principal component analysis-multivariate linear statistical model were used. Based on inorganic component contents of 100 phreatic water samples and 46 confined groundwater samples, the hydrochemical characteristics and quality status, spatial distribution of over-limit toxicological components, and contribution rate of hydrochemical components were analyzed. The results showed that the chemical components of groundwater were controlled by rock weathering and evaporation concentration. Dissolution-enrichment （F1）, original geological environment （F2）, and human activities（F3） were the principal factors that influenced groundwater hydrochemistry with the contribution rates of 73.67%, 14.45%, and 11.88%, respectively. The major over-limit toxicity indices in groundwater were NO3--N and F-. High NO3--N phreatic water was mainly influenced by agriculture activities, followed by the discharge of domestic sewage. Enrichment of groundwater F- was mainly caused by leaching of F-bearing minerals and cation exchange adsorption.

Foliar application of salicylic acid improved morpho-anatomical features of potato by irrigating with wastewater

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the suitability of using drain water as a source of irrigation and its effects along with salicylic acid on morphological, anatomical, physico-chemical as well as yield attributes of potato. For this study, potato tubers were grown in pots and irrigated with different concentrations of drain water. Salicylic acid treatments vis. 0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM were applied foliarly. Pre- and post-harvest analysis was carried out to determine different attributes of soil, water and plants after 60 days.ResultsThe growth of potato plant was increased as the concentration of SA increased through increasing shoot length, fresh/dry weight and tuber number/plant. In this research work, plant respond to overcome metal stresses by up regulating antioxidant defense system such as, peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase) by application of highest treatment of SA when irrigated with 6% drain water. Plants accumulated the highest concentrations of Cd, Cr, and Pb in the leaves when treated with 1 mM of SA, compared to other plant parts. It was observed that photosynthetic pigment enhanced in 6% drain water treated plants when applied with 1mM SA as compared to control. An increase in epidermis and cortical cell thickness, as well as stomatal closure, was observed, helping to maintain water loss under stress conditions.ConclusionsAccording to these results, it can be suggested that SA is potent signaling molecule can play an essential role in maintaining potato growth when irrigated with drain water containing heavy metals through stimulating metal up take and up regulation of antioxidant enzymes.

Full-length ITS amplicon sequencing resolves Phytophthora species in surface waters used for orchard irrigation in California's San Joaquin Valley.

Diverse Phytophthora species, including many important plant pathogens, have been widely detected among surface water irrigation sources. In the past decade, metabarcoding has been used to characterize waterborne Phytophthora populations. Metabarcoding typically involves amplification of portions of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 or ITS2 from Phytophthora species, followed by indexed high throughput sequencing. However, full-length sequences of the entire ITS region are required for resolution of many Phytophthora species. We used metabarcoding with PacBio sequencing of full-length ITS amplicons to analyze populations of Phytophthora in waterways of the Stockton East Water District (SEWD) in the northern San Joaquin Valley of California. This approach yielded species-level resolution of many members of the Phytophthora community. Results were compared to those obtained by using ITS1 or ITS2 regions alone and were found to provide superior species resolution for P. pini, P. capsici, and P. gregata. Samples were collected throughout the 2021 irrigation season from five waterways across the SEWD. Thirty-eight Phytophthora species were detected in the waterways, including tree-crop pathogens P. acerina, P. cactorum, P. pini, P. ×cambivora, P. niederhauserii, P. mediterranea, and P. taxon walnut. These pathogenic species were detected throughout the SEWD during most of the irrigation season. The results demonstrated the utility of full-length ITS amplicon sequencing for identifying Phytophthora species in environmental samples and suggested that some disease risk may be incurred by orchardists irrigating with SEWD water. Additional epidemiological studies will be required to critically evaluate this risk.

Impacts of a partially connected wastewater treatment plant on the water quality of stormwater drains used as an irrigation source

Impacts of a partially connected wastewater treatment plant on the water quality of stormwater drains used as an irrigation source

Market Potential and Farmers' Buying Behaviour towards Cumin Seeds in Rajkot District, Gujarat, India

The Indian agriculture sector heavily relies on quality seeds for optimal crop productivity. The Indian seed industry plays a crucial role in providing high-quality seeds to farmers. Hybrid seeds are preferred over open-pollinated varieties, and quality seeds not only increase yield but also reduce production costs. The majority of farmers in Rajkot District are middle-aged, with varied education levels and predominantly low incomes. Experienced middle-aged farmers dominate the region, with small and semi-medium landholdings. Different crops are grown across the Kharif, Rabi, and summer seasons, highlighting diverse cropping patterns. The survey in Rajkot District reveals diverse irrigation sources, with various preferences for cumin seed brands among farmers. Factors influencing cumin seed purchases include performance, branding, quality, growth, and price. Retailers' suggestions, demonstrations, and farmers' meetings are the most effective marketing tools. Overall, 61.84% of respondents rated their experience as good, suggesting satisfaction with products and services, but there is room for improvement.

Investigating the impact of irrigation practices on hydrologic fluxes in a highly managed river basin

Irrigation practices and sources can have significant impacts on water resources and the hydrologic fluxes that control these resources. To better manage water resources and future water supply, the influence of irrigation practices and management on these hydrologic fluxes should be quantified in time and space at varying scales, under potential irrigation management practices. To fulfill this objective, a surface-subsurface modeling approach was applied to simulate watershed-scale hydrologic processes in the Cache la Poudre River Basin, Colorado, USA (4824 km2), in which both surface water irrigation and groundwater irrigation are prevalent. The model chosen for this study is the watershed model SWAT+, using the spatially distributed, physically based groundwater module gwflow, in which unconfined groundwater storage, flows, and interaction with land surface features are simulated using a collection of grid cells that represent control volumes of the aquifer. Major groundwater inflows and outflows include pumping, recharge, groundwater-channel exchange, groundwater-lake exchange, and tile drainage outflow. To investigate the impact of irrigation practices, detailed surface and groundwater irrigation routines and canal-aquifer interactions were added to the SWAT+ source code, requiring information of irrigation sources and irrigation canal locations throughout the river basin. Model calibration and testing was performed using monthly stream discharge and groundwater head. The calibrated model is used to quantify the impact of surface water and groundwater irrigation scenarios on water availability and hydrologic fluxes within the river basin. A total of 22 scenarios were conducted and grouped into five main groups: irrigation source, irrigation amount, irrigation type, canal bed thickness, and partial or full sealing of earthen irrigation canals. Using groundwater as the only irrigation source decreases groundwater discharge to streams (by 14 %) due to lowering groundwater levels; converting flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation throughout the basin decreases surface runoff by 22 %; and sealing earthen canals leads to a lowering of groundwater levels, which decreases groundwater discharge to streams by 9 %, leading to an overall decrease in streamflow in the Cache la Poudre River and changes to temporal patterns in streamflow. Overall, irrigation amount and type and canal sealing have a small impact on total groundwater storage, compared to changes in the percent of fields irrigated by groundwater pumping. Results are helpful for informed decision-making in agriculture water management and can lead to sustainable, efficient, and equitable use of water resources, helping to address the challenges posed by water scarcity and environmental conservation.

Bioaccumulation and Health Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Citrus Limetta & Citrus Sinensis Irrigated by Wastewater.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different irrigation sources on the levels of potentially toxic metals (Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) in the edibles of citrus fruits (Citrus sinensis and Citrus limetta). The samples of fruit, soil and water were collected from two locations (fresh water irrigated-FW I and sewage water irrigated-SW II) within the city of Sargodha. The samples utilized in the study for metal analysis were prepared utilizing the wet acid digestion method. Metal determination was performed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The potentially toxic metal values in the citrus samples ranged from 0.010 to 0.063, 0.015 to 0.293, 6.691 to 11.342 and 0.366 to 0.667mg/kg for Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn, respectively. Analysis of Citrus limetta and Citrus sinensis indicated that the highest concentration of Cr, Fe and Mn is observed at the sewage water irrigation site (SW-II), whilst the minimum levels of Cr, Fe and Mn were observed at the fresh water irrigation site (FW-I). The results show that the levels of these metals in soil and fruit samples meet the acceptable guidelines outlined by USEPA and WHO. It was found that the metal pollution constitutes a potential threat to human health due to the HRI values for Cd, Cr, and Fe being above 1, despite the DIM values being below 1. Regular monitoring of vegetables irrigated with wastewater is highly recommended in order to minimise health risks to individuals.