Water Use Productivity Research Articles

Efficient Water Use in Dairy Cattle Production: A Review

Background: Dairy cattle production has often been pointed out as a big source of wastewater; although these statements seem exaggerated, they can save a lot of water when a correct use of this resource is made. Objective: The objective of this review was to explore what technological improvements in drinking and feeding systems, water reuse systems, and irrigation systems have been made in the last ten years that allow a more efficient use of water and consequently a decrease in water use in dairy cattle production. Methods: The literature analysis for the review involved a keyword-based search, mainly for conference and/or journal articles. The scientific research databases, ScienceDirect and IEEE Xplore, as well as the scientific search engine Google Scholar, were employed to conduct this review. Results: Dairy farmers can reduce their water footprint by implementing practices that can include proper feeding of animals and monitoring of water consumption, adequate ventilation of facilities, as well as maintenance and repair of water, wastewater, and irrigation systems. Water from heat exchange systems to cool milk after milking can be reused to water and irrigate fields, and the farmers can also use technological equipment to increase the efficiency of irrigation. Conclusion: Proper management strategies are highly essential for sustaining the livestock production systems and meeting the food demands of a growing population with the available water resources, for which water-saving technologies and strategies are the need of the hour. The use of technological options has been a key driving force for the transition to smarter farming systems and for efficient water use in dairy farms.

Balancing water use and nutrition for crop production in a highly dense population – Bangladesh

The challenge of sustainably feeding billions of people, particularly in highly populated emerging economies, such as Bangladesh, requires addressing the environmental consequences of crop production, such as sustainable water use in agriculture. Here, we assessed the sustainability of crop water use and analyzed the balance of water use and nutrient density by integrating the crop water use and nutritional provision data with a hydrological model, WaterGAP 2.2d. Findings revealed that Bangladesh overconsumed approximately 20 billion m3 of freshwater (19 % of total water consumption) owing to crop production during 2000–2016, with rice being a key crop. Shifting crop consumption from rice to alternative crops, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and maize, can improve both nutritional adequacy and sustainable water use. The analytical framework supports sustainable crop production by identifying key crops and watersheds that can contribute to sustainability, considering both sustainable water use and nutritional adequacy.

Solution of trade‐offs between food production, water use, and climate change mitigation in global agriculture

AbstractTrade‐off conflicts among the Sustainable Development Goals have been a challenge. To reconcile frictional relationships among food production security (Goal 2), water use efficiency (Goal 6), and climate change mitigation (Goal 13), an empirical examination using deterministic frontier analysis was conducted globally. A single volume‐based index for each goal is too simple to evaluate the agricultural sustainability of different areas from the nexus assessment perspective. Our major findings are threefold. First, approximately two‐thirds of African countries have suffered from small food production and excess water use. Second, marked contrasts are observed in the possibilities of an increase in food production and reduction in water use and CO2 emissions among regions. Asian countries use water efficiently, whereas countries in the western regions control CO2 emissions. Third, trade‐offs among food production, water use, and CO2 emissions in agriculture are observed. It is almost impossible to reduce water use in Asia and CO2 emissions in the western regions for food production security. Based on the nexus approach, local strategies need to be compatible with global sustainability. Future research should identify the factors that determine the agricultural efficiency to devise local strategies, and develop policies simultaneously pursuing relevant environmental and well‐being goals.

Green waste-derived compost (GWC) alleviates drought stress and promotes sugar beet productivity and biofortification

ABSTRACT Green waste-derived compost (GWC) is a valuable soil amendment for improving soil organic matter and decreasing waste products and potential pollutants. The study was carried out to evaluate the effect of GWC application on the yield and quality of sugar beet under deficit irrigation conditions using different irrigation systems. A field experiment was conducted using the commercial sugar beet variety Gazelle in sandy soil. Two doses (0 and 14 t ha−1) of GWC were applied to the soil. Three water deficiency levels (60, 80 and 100% of the soil field capacity) under either drip and sprinkler irrigation systems were applied. The application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC resulted in the highest root and recoverable sugar yields, especially under the well-irrigated conditions under drip irrigation. Sugar beet root biofortification and juice quality were also significantly improved under drip irrigation in response to the application of 14 ton ha−1 of GWC by increasing sucrose content, quality index (Qz)% and recoverable sugar (RS)%. The application of GWC under drip irrigation enhanced water use efficiency for root (WUERY) and recoverable sugar yields (WUERSY), in particular under drip irrigation and water deficit conditions (60% of the soil field capacity). The soil physicochemical properties were significantly improved in response to the application of GWC. GWC application promoted the yield and biofortification of sugar beet by improving the soil physiochemical properties, and nutrient mobilization and uptake. The application of GWC is essential for sustainable sugar beet production and efficient irrigation water use in sandy soils.

Farklı sulama seviyelerinin ve sulama aralıklarının pamuk yetiştiriciliği üzerindeki etkileri: Verim, verim bileşenleri ve lif kalitesi parametreleri üzerine bir çalışma

This study was conducted for investigating the impact of irrigation interval and deficit irrigation on seed cotton yield, fiber quality, and water productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the Şanlıurfa province of Türkiye during the years 2020 and 2021. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with split plots. The main plots included three irrigation intervals (D1: 4 day, D2: 8 day, and D3: 12 day), while the sub-plots consisted of three irrigation levels (I1: %150, I2: %120, and I3: %90) considered by Class A pan evaporation using the drip irrigation method. The study resulted in that the crop evapotranspiration varied from 693 to 1153 mm in 2020 and from 716 to 1126 mm in 2021, respectively. Irrigation interval and deficit irrigation had a statistically significant effect on seed cotton yield, seed cotton weight, and ginning outturn in both years of the study. The highest seed cotton yield, seed cotton weight, and lint yield were obtained from the treatment with a 4-day irrigation interval and irrigation water level at 150% (D1-I1), while the lowest values were obtained from the treatment with a 12-day irrigation interval and irrigation water level at 90% (D3-I3). However, irrigation interval and deficit irrigation did not have a statistically significant effect on 100-seed weight, fiber fineness, fiber length, and fiber strength in both years of the study. In the study, water use productivity (WP) ranged from 0.32 to 0.55 kg m-3, while irrigation water use productivity (IWP) ranged from 0.33 to 0.59 kg m-3, and similar results were obtained in both years of the research. According to the research findings, to achieve the highest cotton yield and quality, an irrigation interval of 4 days and a total seasonal irrigation water of 1062 mm are recommended.

Synergy of water use in water-energy-food nexus from a symbiosis perspective: A case study in China

The water-energy-food nexus tackles water, energy, and food security from an integrated management perspective of elemental synergy, system control, and cross-sector collaboration. Along with inter-regional differentiation in natural resource endowments and economic development, water, energy, and food systems exhibit dynamic, sensitive, and uncertain interactions. Owing to the complexity and diversity of the nexus, its synergistic mechanisms and regulation techniques still require more in-depth research. This paper constructs an integrative analytical framework based on symbiosis theory to evaluate the synergistic type, driver, and effect of water use for energy and food production in the Chinese mainland during 1997–2016 with multiple indicators. The results showed that Gansu and Hebei were in the water-energy synergy scenario in 2016, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, and Shandong were in the water-food synergy scenario, and 21 provinces were in the water-energy-food synergy scenario. The energy and food security indices of the production base were highly adaptable. When grey water footprint was included in the water security index, the main grain producing areas & coal bases decreased by 88.6%. This research provides an extensive examination of symbiosis theory, which has research value for the multidisciplinary assessment of resource security and sustainability of the water-energy-food nexus.

Effect of deficit saline irrigation, tillage and rice straw mulch in wheat‐sorghum cropping system on yield and nutritive value of rainfed forage sorghum in salt‐affected soils

AbstractSoil and groundwater salinity associated with limited rainfall are the challenges for checking salinity build‐up in semi‐arid regions. This field experiment was conducted to test the impact of deficit saline irrigation (DSI) (in winter) with mulching and tillage on salinity build‐up, yield and nutritive value of rainfed‐forage sorghum. Tillage (reduced, conventional and zero), saline water (8.0 dS m−1) irrigation (100%, 80% and 60% of water requirement [WR] in wheat) and mulch were allocated following split factorial layout. DSI with mulching produced at par wheat and sorghum yield compared with 100WR irrigation with harvested rainwater. Mulching improved wheat grain yield and the soil water content by ~13% throughout the cropping season. Forage sorghum yield was increased by DSI and mulching in the previous season compared with irrigation with 100WR saline water. Reduced tillage declined the neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) with an increase in cell soluble constituents. DSI and mulching also increased the digestible nutrient, crude protein (CP), ash and reduced ADF of sorghum. Soil salinity showed a negative correlation with CP, positive correlation with ADF, ADL and cellulose. Therefore, it is recommended that DSI and reduced tillage with mulching can be a reliable option for productive use of saline soils and water by cropping system intensification. These results also showed the potential for achieving 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals as well as targets of land degradation neutrality in salt‐affected soils by savings irrigation, doubling cropping intensity and preventing salinity build‐up.

Barley yield and malt quality affected by fall and spring planting under rainfed conditions.

As a result of the changing climate characteristics, it is necessary to reevaluate the planting time for crop plants. The aim of the present study was to determine the quality characteristics of malting barley cultivars in fall and spring plantings. Sixteen malting barley cultivars were used. Two fall-planted and two spring-planted trials were conducted in two consecutive years. The field trials were carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in Tokat province of Turkey under rainfed conditions. Grain yields varied between 4.38 and 5.71 t/ha in fall-planted trials and between 3.12 and 4.89 t/ha in spring-planted trials. Malt extracts were between 77.0% and 78.0% kg in fall-planted trials and between 73.9% and 76.9% in spring-planted trials. Alpha amylase activities ranged from 77.9 to 81.4 Ceralpha unit (CU)/g in fall-planted trials and from 80.8 to 100.9 CU/g in spring-planted trials. Diastatic power ranged from 194.5 to 331.1 Windisch-Kolbach unit (°WK) in fall-planted trials and from 129.0 to 259.8 °WK in spring-planted trials. GGE biplot analysis indicated that winter barley cultivar Durusu and facultative barley cultivar Ince-04 were the best with consistent grain yields while Ince-04 was the best with stable malt extract across the trials. In scatter plot graphics, winter barley cultivars Durusu, Aydanhanim, Yildiz and facultative Ince-04 had superior performance in fall-plantings for grain yield and malt extract. In spring planting, facultative Ince-04 had higher performance than those of other cultivars. In spring plantings, facultative or winter barley cultivars that do not have strong vernalization requirement had better yield and malt quality. Appropriate planting time and cultivars can allow a better use of available water in malt barley production under rainfed conditions. Lastly, instead of evaluating the grain yield or malt quality alone, it would be best to evaluate the target product (malt extract percentage) obtained from a particular region, process, or production methodology.

Water use efficiency and yield responses of Cenchrus purpureus genotypes under irrigation

AbstractIn tropical regions, water stress is one of the main causes of the reduction in forage productivity, and irrigation strategies can mitigate the problem, especially for highly productive species. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of irrigation, genotype and plant size on productive responses and water use efficiency (WUE) of elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus [Schumach.] Morrone), in the rainy and dry season. The experimental design was randomized in blocks, arranged in split plots, the main plots were established based on the use of irrigation and the subplots were the tall-sized genotypes (IRI 381 and Elephant B) and dwarfs (Taiwan A-146 2.37 and Mott). The genotypes were evaluated for two years and harvested every 60 days. Water use efficiency, total forage accumulation per year and harvest, forage accumulation rate and forage density were evaluated. There was a significant difference between the genotypes in terms of total forage accumulated (P < 0.05). The most productive genotype was IRI 381, which showed the greatest total forage accumulation (42 168 kg of DM/ha in two years) in the irrigated plots. During the rainy seasons, IRI 381 stood out in terms of forage accumulated (24 667 kg of DM/ha). Irrigation favoured increases in forage accumulation around 60%, in both years of evaluation. Irrigation and plant size influenced the productivity and WUE of elephant grass harvested in 60-day intervals. Tall genotypes and Taiwan A-146 2.37 (dwarf size) stood out in most of the productive traits analysed, while Mott was highlighted by its forage density.

DRIP IRRIGATION REGIMES AND EFFICIENCY OF WATER USE BY SUNFLOWER HYBRIDS

The article presents the results of experimental research on the effect of drip irrigation system designs on the formation of irrigation regimes, productivity, and efficiency of water use by sunflower hybrids. In addition, the main components of evapotranspiration were taken into account, and coefficients of water consumption (WCC), irrigation efficiency (IE), and irrigation water use efficiency (WUE) were chosen as criteria for the efficiency of drip irrigation. Short-term field research was carried out during 2020-2022 on the lands of the Brylivske experimental field of the Institute of Water Problems and Reclamation of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Kherson region, subzone of the Dry Steppe). Analytical and mathematical as well as statistical methods were used to process experimental data. The scheme of the three-factor field experiment provided various options for laying irrigation pipelines of drip irrigation systems (in the horizontal and vertical planes), as well as the implementation of a pulsed water supply mode (standard). The version with a natural moisture supply (without irrigation) was the control. The results of experimental research proved that the method of laying drip irrigation pipelines had a direct effect on the parameters of the formation of drip irrigation regimes and the productivity of sunflower hybrids in the conditions of the Dry Steppe. The mechanism of evapotranspiration formation of sunflower crops in irrigated and non-irrigated conditions has been determined. It was statistically proven that the application of subsoil drip irrigation with the laying of irrigation pipelines at a depth of 0.3 m and a distance between them of 1.0 m is the most appropriate for growing sunflower hybrids. This is explained by biological features, namely drought resistance of this crop. Thus, in field experiments, the variant with in-soil laying of drip irrigation pipelines provided almost identical yield (4.01-4.09 t/ha) when having lower crop water consumption coefficients (1088.7-1125.7 m3/t) and higher efficiency of irrigation water use – 2.27-2.41 kg of grain per 1 m3 of irrigation water.

Analysis of the Decoupling State and Driving Effects of Economic Development and Production Water Use in Jiangsu Province, China

Identifying the evolutionary patterns and drivers of regional water use is a prerequisite for achieving the strictest water resource management system. This study used the Tapio-LMDI model to analyze the decoupling state and driving factors between economic development and production water use in Jiangsu Province from 2004 to 2020. The results show that: (1) From the evolution of the water use structure, the total water use in Jiangsu Province shows a decreasing trend from 2004 to 2020. Among them, the production water use decreased by 9.59%. From the characteristics of economic development (constant prices), the growth of Jiangsu’s gross regional product (GDP) from 2004 to 2020 reached 363%. (2) In terms of the decoupling status, economic development and production water use in Jiangsu Province underwent a “weak decoupling—strongly decoupling” transition and achieved “strongly decoupling” in 2020, with a decoupling elasticity coefficient of −2.30. (3) From the perspective of the decoupling drivers, the reduction in production effects has contributed to the decoupling between economic growth and water use in Jiangsu Province. By sector, the decline in the water use intensity effect and the industrial structure effect in the primary and secondary sectors were the main reason for the decline in its water use, while the increase in the industrial structure effect and economic scale effect of the tertiary sector has effectively contributed to the increase in water use in the tertiary sector. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the water use efficiency of the primary and secondary sectors, accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the tertiary sector, and realize a “strongly decoupling” pattern between economic development and production water use in Jiangsu Province.

Harden Properties of Concrete using Untreated Wash Water

Concrete is a widely used construction material that provides a durable and strong foundation for structures. However, the production process of concrete involves the generation of large quantities of waste, including untreated wash water, which can negatively impact the environment. This has led to the exploration of ways to recycle and reuse this waste material, including using it in the production of concrete. The use of untreated wash water in concrete production has been shown to affect the harden properties of concrete. The harden properties of concrete, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, and durability, are critical in determining the performance and longevity of a structure. The presence of contaminants and impurities in untreated wash water can affect these properties by reducing the strength of the concrete and making it more susceptible to degradation. Studies have shown that the use of untreated wash water in concrete production can result in a decrease in compressive strength, which is a measure of the ability of concrete to withstand loads. The presence of contaminants and impurities can also affect the durability of concrete by increasing the rate of corrosion of steel reinforcement and reducing its ability to resist cracking. However, several techniques have been developed to mitigate the negative effects of untreated wash water on the harden properties of concrete. These techniques include the use of chemical additives, such as superplasticizers and pozzolanic materials, to improve the strength and durability of concrete. Additionally, the use of pre-treatment processes, such as filtration and sedimentation, can help remove contaminants and impurities from untreated wash water before it is used in concrete production.

The grain Food-Energy-Water nexus in China: Benchmarking sustainability with generalized data envelopment analysis

Food insecurity can be considered as a significant cause to instability in some regions around the world. Grain production utilizes a multiple of inputs, such as: water resources, fertilizers, pesticides, energy, machinery, and labor. In China, grain production has led to huge irrigation water use, non-point source pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. It is necessary to emphasize the synergy between food production and ecological environment. In this study, a grain Food-Energy-Water nexus is delivered and an eco-efficiency sustainability evaluation metric is introduced, Sustainability of Grain Inputs (SGI), for investigating the sustainability of water and energy use in grain production across China. SGI is constructed by using generalized data envelopment analysis to comprehensively incorporate differences of water and energy inputs (including indirect energy use contained in agricultural chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural film, and direct energy use such as the electricity and diesel used for irrigation and agricultural machinery) in different regions across China. Both water and energy are considered by the new metric at the same time, which is built on the single resources metrices that are often used in the sustainability literature. This study evaluates the water and energy use of wheat and corn production in China. Wheat production uses water and energy sustainably in Sichuan, Shandong, and Henan; Corn production has the highest combined sustainability index in Shandong, Jilin, Liaoning, and Henan. In these areas, the grain sown area could be increased. However, wheat production in Inner Mongolia and corn production in Xinjiang rely on unsustainable water and energy inputs, and their grain sown areas could be reduced. The SGI is a tool that researchers and policy makers can use to better quantify the sustainability of water and energy inputs to grain production. It facilitates formulating policies about water saving and carbon emission reduce of grain production.

Poultry Production Nexus-Few: a Study About the Effect of Public and Private Investments on the Efficient Use of Water

Purpose: This paper aims to analyse how investments in innovation, research and development in poultry production affect the water's efficient use. Theoretical framework: To understand water stress, the literature review addresses content related to the analysis of the balance between water and food production (Nexus-Few), as well as those that support the analysis of the effects of investments in research and development in poultry production and improving the efficient use of water. Method/design/approach: The data were collected from the FAOSTAT database, where were analysed the investments in research and development (government and private), poultry production, water stress and efficient water use (US$/m3). The period of analysis is from 2005 to 2019, and priority was given to countries with the highest production of poultry, based on available data (Brazil, India, Mexico, Myanmar and Russia). Results and conclusion: the results reveal that there is interdependence between water and poultry production. On the one hand, factors that can lead to water stress (climate, competition for water, food production) can also affect poultry production, as the more water stress, the greater the risk for poultry production that depends on these resources. On the other hand, public and private investments in research and development (R&D) can be crucial to reduce water stress, improve water use efficiency and poultry production performance. Research implications: The study shows to poultry farmers that water stress (demand greater than supply) interferes with poultry production, and that private or public investment in R&D is important for the efficient use of water. The paper revewls to governments and companies what actions are necessary to encourage the sector to seek the Nexus Few (balance between water and food production). Originality/value: expands understanding of the sustainability of the poultry production chain and the goals of sustainable development, in order to encourage the efficient use of water. The sudy reveals too the importance of public and private investments to promote the balance between water use and poultry production .

'I think this is where this lovely word "sustainability" comes in': Fruit and vegetable growers' narratives concerning the regulation of environmental water use for food production.

This article concerns UK commercial fruit and vegetable growers' narratives regarding the sustainability of water use for food production. In it we explore their perspectives on efforts by regulators to limit agricultural withdrawals of water from the natural environment in line with EU Water Framework Directive objectives, alongside their views on retailer sustainability commitments. Discourse analysis is used to investigate how the growers contested restrictive regulation, constructed their identities, portrayed other supply chain stakeholders, and conveyed their social relations with them. Using ErvingGoffman's theory of frontstage and backstage performances, the implications for the growers' water management decisions and their internalisation of sustainability agendas for water are examined. Whilst the growers gave accounts of purposely misrepresenting their water withdrawal practices and their discourse illustrated significant polarisation between environmental and agricultural interests, their underlying commitment to environmental sustainability was ambivalent, with both anti and pro-environmental attitudes expressed. The growers also frequently gave critiques of superficial sustainability in fresh produce supply chains. We argue that, given contemporary shifting definitions of agricultural identities, settings in which their construction is negotiated can provide windows of opportunity for conventional growers to engage in genuine pro-environmental performances that may deepen their assimilation of environmental goals and commitment to sustainable water use.

Impacts of Irrigation Technology, Irrigation Rate, and Drought-Tolerant Genetics on Silage Corn Production

Many studies have examined individual water-saving management practices for corn (Zea mays L.), but few studies have looked at how combinations of practices might further enhance water optimization. The research objectives of this paper were to evaluate the impact of irrigation technology, irrigation rate, and crop genetics, as well as their interactions, on silage corn yield and forage quality. Trials were conducted in three Utah locations from 2019 through 2021. The results from five site-years indicated that the best water optimization practices varied by site-year. Low-elevation sprinklers commonly applied water more efficiently, with four of the five site-years having improved or equivalent yield compared to mid-elevation sprinklers. Irrigation rate reductions and yield losses were not proportional, as a 25% irrigation reduction resulted in better silage quality and a 7% average yield loss across site-years. Further, targeted deficit irrigation (less water during vegetation and more during maturation) was inferior to a uniform deficit during all growth stages. Drought-tolerant genetics often maintained but did not improve yield in extreme water stress environments compared to non-DT genetics. No cumulative benefits were observed when combining irrigation technology, rate, and DT genetics. Irrigation technology had the greatest potential of the three factors to optimize water use in silage corn production in the Western U.S. region.

Sustainability assessment of pig production: a study in Santa Catarina, Brazil

This study aimed to identify the sustainability practices of pig creation on rural properties in the West region of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The analysis included the system of sustainability indicators in pig farming. Although managers comply with the regulations and legislation, there are practical difficulties related to the destination of production waste, water use, expenditure controls, and social interaction. The sustainability analysis allowed investigating 30 properties and using a scale of 0-10 points, rate factors related to organizational, social, and environmental practices. Nine rural properties had a general performance, indicating characteristics of in search for sustainability, while 21 obtained a performance between 2.5 and 5.0 points, indicating fragilities in organizational, environmental, and social practices. It highlights the importance of analyzing sustainability indicators as a mechanism to control and implement better practices to assist in the search for sustainable development.

Circular economy and the resource nexus: Realignment and progress towards sustainable development in Saudi Arabia

Resources such as water, energy, and arable land represent bottlenecks with regard to achieving key sustainability paradigms such as the circular economy (CE). They exhibit vital inputs and outputs for economic development, and they are closely linked to the environmental challenges to the protection of ecosystems, emissions reduction, and sustainable resource use. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), aridity, large environmental footprints and the reliance on carbon fuels accentuate the importance of the water and energy sectors. This paper analyzes the resource nexus in KSA using the lens of the CE. It examines the relevance of the CE paradigm, and presents current progress, interventions and policy initiatives to promote this paradigm in natural resource sectors and subsectors such as desalination, electricity production, urban mobility, and agricultural water use. The current directions in KSA show a heightened engagement with sustainability issues, including significant projects related to the CE. Guided by the KSA (SAV 2030), several interventions exist in the energy-related sectors aimed at promotion of renewables, decarbonization of electricity production, energy efficiency in the built environment, carbon capture, and sustainable mobility. Similarly, the water sector has been progressing towards sustainable (and solar) desalination, water reuse and ecosystems-based solutions. However, the current efforts should be better embedded within larger policies such as the SAV 2030, the Green Middle East Initiative, and the Circular Carbon Economy. Moreover, explicit and more targeted CE strategies are needed in order to develop a comprehensive and more participatory approach towards promoting the CE, particularly in prominent areas such as water and energy. The paper provides best practices and highlights key policies for enhancing CE and resource-use sustainability and for moving towards a low-carbon and circular production in KSA or other carbon-exporting countries.

Nitrogen and potassium in biomass production and water use efficiency of irrigated wheat cv. BRS 394 in Cerrado

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of nitrogen and potassium levels in biomass production and efficiency in water consumption of wheat BRS 394 in brazilian Cerrado. The experiment consisted of fractioned factorial combination of five levels of (N): (0, 70, 140, 210 and 280 kg ha−1) and five levels of potassium (K): (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha−1), randomized block design and four replications. The shoot biomass, the number of spikelets per ear and the efficiency of water use for biomass production were evaluated as a function of the N and K levels used in the present study. Analysis of variance at 5% and 10% was performed using F test for the surface response model and when not significant to the first and second degree regression using the R software. The combination of N(238 kg ha−1) and K(97 kg ha−1) increased spikelet yield per spike (15.5), during 2019 harvest. The fertilization with N(115 and 125 kg ha−1) in an isolated way guaranteed maximum shoot biomass yield(5827 kg ha−1) and wheat water use efficiency (32.9 g L−1), during 2018 harvest, respectively. The N provided isolated increases in number of spikelets per spike in 2018 harvest, as well as for shoot biomass and water use efficiency in 2019. The main use of nitrogen fertilization and its combination with potassium provide gains in the production of shoot biomass and water use efficiency of wheat BRS 394 in brazilian Cerrado.

Spatial and temporal changes in land and water resources on the northern slopes of the Tianshan mountains from the perspective of “production-living-ecological space”

The rapidly growing social demand for water and land, along with increasingly constraining economic and social development, have intensified the conflicts between regional production, living, and ecological spaces (PLES). Water and land resources have become major obstacles to long-term growth in arid and semi-arid regions. Therefore, we propose a scenario-based framework for a production, living, and ecological spaces water resource assessment, integrating patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS), Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), and multiple regression equations to analye the spatial and temporal variability of these resources on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains (NSTM) and assess the future development of water resources. The results show: 1) from 2000 to 2020, land use types on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains were dominated by ecological land, which decreased to 11,793 km2; production and domestic land use increased. Water for production and ecological use accounted for approximately 93% and a minor proportion of the total water use, respectively. 2) Production land is mainly influenced by population density and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), living land by population density, and ecological land by precipitation and topographic factors. 3) The PLUS model had good applicability, with a kappa coefficient, overall accuracy, and FoM of 0.81, 0.88, and 0.28, respectively. 4) The total water use in the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains will increase under all three scenarios between 2030 and 2050, but by varying degrees. Production water use accounts for the most significant proportion (93%), with its use decreasing by 305 million m3 under the SSP3 scenario. Domestic water use shows a slow increase under all three scenarios. Further development of the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains should take account of regional ecological vulnerability, and water use for production should be controlled based on existing water resources and ecological capacity to reduce pressure on the environment and provide essential ecological protection and sustainable development.