Reduce Water Use Research Articles

The impact of water conservation policies on the reallocation of agricultural water-land resources

The effects of policies on farmers' profit have a key role in their adoption by the farmers and their operationalization at the basin level. The present research explored the effects of water resources conservation policies on optimal cropping pattern and farmers' profit in the Zayanderud basin located Iran using a combined hydrological-economic model composed of WEAP and multi-objective (MOP) models for the assessment of the effects of the A2 climate change scenario with or without the conservation policies. The results showed that climate change will reduce crop yields by 0.5–4%, will decrease water availability by 12–19%, and will increase crop water requirements by 0–4%. It was also found that the adoption of the policy of changing irrigation technology along with the policy of limiting groundwater use will alleviate the effects of climate change on the farmers' profit, will enhance their planned return per unit area by 5%, and will increase the economic efficiency of water use from 5,283 to 6,002 IRR/m3. But, the policy of increasing water price cannot improve the farmers' profit at the basin level and the economic efficiency of water use although it can reduce water use. So, proving the improvement of profit and livelihood of the farmers by applying combined water resources conservation policies can play a significant role in motivating farmers to accept these policies, operationalizing optimal water resources management, and resolving conflicts over water use in this basin.

Sustainability of Agriculture: A Study of Digital Groundwater Supervision

Groundwater depletion caused by agricultural irrigation is a worldwide problem. Digital technology has the potential to mitigate the groundwater over-exploitation problem by precisely restricting agriculture groundwater withdrawal and borewell construction. This study estimates how farmers respond to a pilot on digital groundwater supervision, which was implemented by the county government to limit the number and clarify property rights of irrigation borewells. By utilizing this recent pilot in rural China, we assess the causal impact of the digital groundwater supervision pilot on farmers’ water-saving irrigation (WSI) behaviors and investigate the heterogeneity effects and mechanisms related to the policy contents. A difference-in-differences (DID) strategy is applied to address the treatment effect of the digital groundwater supervision pilot. The results, which were based on a unique plot-crop-level panel dataset, indicate that farmers reduced water use after the pilot implementation, with most of the responses created through introducing water-saving technology and reducing water use intensity rather than through reducing irrigated acreage. In addition, village supervision, information, and cooperative incentives positively encourage farmers to adopt WSI technologies.

What works for water conservation? Evidence from a field experiment in India

In a randomized field experiment, we test whether training medium scale farmers in an agricultural water reduction practice reduces water use from common aquifers in Haryana, India. We find that training farmers in a water reduction technique, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), reduced pumping hours by 22% during peak pumping weeks without affecting their yields. In addition, we also incorporate the use of social comparison messages. We argue that farmers will adopt AWD despite flat fee tariffs if farmers own their pumps and if their crops can reach their varietal potential. This is because there are diminishing returns to irrigation and irrigation costs rise as water levels drop.

Precise control of water stress in the field reveals different response thresholds for forage yield and digestibility of maize hybrids.

With dwindling global freshwater supplies and increasing water stress, agriculture is coming under increasing pressure to reduce water use. Plant breeding requires high analytical capabilities. For this reason, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to develop prediction equations for whole-plant samples, particularly for predicting dry matter digestibility, which has a major impact on the energy value of forage maize hybrids and is required for inclusion in the official French catalogue. Although the historical NIRS equations have long been used routinely in seed company breeding programmes, they do not predict all variables with the same accuracy. In addition, little is known about how accurate their predictions are under different water stress-environments. Here, we examined the effects of water stress and stress intensity on agronomic, biochemical, and NIRS predictive values in a set of 13 modern S0-S1 forage maize hybrids under four different environmental conditions resulting from the combination of a northern and southern location and two monitored water stress levels in the south. First, we compared the reliability of NIRS predictions for basic forage quality traits obtained using the historical NIRS predictive equations and the new equations we recently developed. We found that NIRS predicted values were affected to varying degrees by environmental conditions. We also showed that forage yield gradually decreased as a function of water stress, whereas both dry matter and cell wall digestibilities increased regardless of the intensity of water stress, with variability among the tested varieties decreasing under the most stressed conditions. By combining forage yield and dry matter digestibility, we were able to quantify digestible yield and identify varieties with different strategies for coping with water stress, raising the exciting possibility that important potential selection targets still exist. Finally, from a farmer's perspective, we were able to show that late silage harvest has no effect on dry matter digestibility and that moderate water stress does not necessarily result in a loss of digestible yield.

Agronomic Interventions for Higher Water use Efficiency in Greengram (Vigna radiata): An Overview

Agronomic manipulations are imperative for apposite growth of crop leading to higher yields. Various management practices like seed rate, planting time and method, plant population, intercultural practices, weed management, fertilizers and irrigation application, intercropping, mulch application for soil moisture conservation, etc. results in increased water use efficiency (WUE) of the crop. Also selection of crop which necessities lesser water usage for crop growth encourages diversification. Greengram is paramount preference for areas with scarcity of good quality water. Being rich in protein content and minerals, it serves the purpose of healthy regimen. Timely sown crop results in better growth due to favorable climatic conditions. Whereas late sown crop is adversely affected by pest attack, temperature fluctuation etc. ensuing reduced water use efficiency and yield diminution. Planting method, plant population and intercultural operations are essential in agronomic point of view. Selection of apt irrigation regimes directly effects water use efficiency in any field study. As crop productivity is equal with water productivity, the efficient irrigation schedule assures water saving without affecting the crop yields. Because, where no irrigations are given, the water use may be low by the crop but, this may affect crop yields. Use of recommended fertilizers may facilitate the use of irrigation water by crop for its better growth and improved WUE. Insertion of low water requiring crop as intercrop can unswervingly increase water productivity. Applying mulch conserve moisture as its use lowers evaporation from soil surface. Usage of weed management practices conserves irrigation water as weeds compete with crop plants for water and nutrients. Wherefore, the present review will reckon upon the impact of innumerable agronomic interventions in increasing water productivity.

Effect of water-saving technologies on productivity and profitability of tomato cultivation in Galapagos, Ecuador

We tested the effect of two water-saving systems (Groasis Waterboxx® and Hydrogel polymer), compared with conventional drip irrigation, on the productivity, profitability, and water efficiency of greenhouse tomato cultivation in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos. We measured the weight and volume of individual tomato fruits, along with biweekly production, over a typical growing cycle, and found that tomatoes grown with water-saving systems were significantly heavier and larger than those produced with conventional drip irrigation, which led to a 28% average increase in tomato production using both technologies. compared to drip irrigation, Groasis and Hydrogel also reduced water use by 71 and 48%, respectively. While both systems yielded a net profit, using Hydrogel was 51% more profitable than conventional drip irrigation. Water-saving systems such as Groasis and Hydrogel may provide more sustainable solutions for profitable tomato cultivation in environments with low annual rainfall and limited access to irrigation water, such as the Galapagos Islands.

Analisis Aspek Keberlanjutan Lingkungan Berbasis Konservasi Warisan Alam dan Pengelolaan Sumber Daya pada Objek Wisata Pantai Penyu Nagari Ampiang Parak Kabupaten Pesisir Selatan

This research purposes to analyze environmental sustainability aspects based on natural heritage conservation and resource management at turtle beach tourism objects in Nagari Ampiang Parak, South Coastal District, researchers conducted research using qualitative methods with purposive sampling techniques, the techniques for data collection through observation, interviews and documentation. The validity test of the data using analysis by source triangulation, namely reduction for data, data presentation, make conclusions. The turtle beach destination is said to be environmentally sustainable in terms of natural heritage conservation and resource management. The results showed that natural heritage conservation management was not optimal, information media such as sites did not exist, resource management was not optimal because destinations did not yet have renewable energy, did not have guidelines for monitoring reduced water use and did not have data and reports on water quality.

Determining Water Footprint of Buildings During Construction Phase: An Activity-based Approach

Construction activity uses water to a significant extent for many operations, materials, and on-site activities, and the availability of potable water for building construction is a matter of concern. This research work aims to determine water consumption during construction activities on-site during the construction phase of the building in the Indian context. Conventional low-rise load-bearing and Reinforcement Cement Concrete (RCC) framed buildings are considered for the calculations of materials and activities. The application of building materials and water requirements for various construction activities and methods is determined to achieve the goal. Theoretical water use for various activities on site is considered, as per water requirements for application, mixing, and curing. Based on this research, recommendations are made for potential strategies for water saving in construction activity. Water consumption in building construction is expected to increase globally, particularly in developing countries like India, because of the demand for urban development and housing for all. Hence, water efficiency in building construction is a matter of concern. This research will contribute to the addition of new knowledge to the existing database about this topic to set a benchmark. Research paves the way for energy-efficient construction techniques and the use of building materials in a sustainable manner to reduce water use in building construction.

IMPROVING BARLEY PRODUCTION UNDER DEFICIENT IRRIGATION WATER AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS CONDITIONS

Scarcity in irrigation water led to a gradual increase in water stress, consequently causing a decrease in dry matter, nitrogen uptake, productivity, and the protein content of barley. During two growing seasons, 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, two field experiments ensued to improve barley production in sandy soil under a deficit of irrigation water. The statistical analysis helped recommend the best factors to achieve maximum benefit with barley production under dry conditions and nitrogen mineral fertilizers. The significant variations occurred when irrigating with 60% full irrigation only, but were nonsignificant when irrigating with 80% full irrigation. Increasing the number of mineral fertilization doses to nine times resulted in higher nitrogen concentrations and availability inside the root-spreading area for the longest possible period without washing outside the root-spreading area by deep percolation than when given with three doses only. Irrigating with 80% full irrigation and nine dosages of mineral fertilization obtained the highest and best yield values. It resulted in a 20% reduction in irrigation water use and increased nitrogen fertilizer effectiveness through repeated application doses, resulting in increased productivity and less groundwater pollution. The simulation model received SALTMED model values with high accuracy for most of the studied traits; the R2 was not less than 0.97; therefore, it can function well under sandy soil conditions, which suffer from water scarcity.

Methodology of stem water potential measurement on hedgerow olive orchards

Aim of study:To evaluate the effect of leaf covering, leaf position, leaf age, time and sample size in measurements of stem water potential (Ψstem) in olive hedgerow orchards. Area of study: The experimental orchards were located in the Centre of Spain (Toledo) Material and methods: Midday Ψstem was measured using a pressure chamber in two super-intensive olive hedgerow orchards subjected to various water status. Main results: Measurements were taken at solar noon on shaded leaves at mid canopy height following at least 1 hour of covering. Such measurements on 5 trees were sufficient to define the water status of individual homogeneous irrigation blocks. This combination of techniques is essential for repeatable measurements of Ψstem required to establish critical irrigation points and manage deficit irrigation strategies seeking to control vegetative growth and reduce water use with minimal effect on oil yield in olive hedgerow orchards and maximum oil quality. Part of our results weren’t previously reported: 1) Covering leaves with aluminium doesn’t completely stop transpiration and leaves must be covered and located in the shaded part of the canopy. 2) Ψstem depends on leaf height on olive hedgerow. 3) Ψstem of young leaves was less variable than in older ones. 4) Ψstem at solar noon presented larger differences with previous hours than later. Research highlights: Leaves for measurements of stem water potential must be previously covered and located in the middle height of the shaded part of the canopy.

Organic nitrogen improves the water use of tropical tree seedlings cultivated for restoration plantings

Societal Impact StatementRestoring degraded tropical lands is important for biodiversity protection and human livelihoods. Newly planted tree seedlings are often challenged by drought brought about by climate change. Here, we explored how nitrogen sources used for plant growth affected the water use of tropical tree seedlings under water limitation. We found that the application of the amino acid arginine reduced water use in the studied seedlings under water limitation, compared with the conventional ammonium nitrate fertiliser. Alternative sources of nitrogen should be considered for tree seedling production in nurseries as this could enhance drought resilience traits and improve the survival of seedlings in restoration plantings.Summary Restoration via tree planting is impacted by climate change‐induced water scarcity. Nitrogen (N) supply modulates the morphology and physiology of plants and impacts water use. We compared the responses of rainforest tree seedlings Acacia mangium and Alphitonia petriei grown with inorganic N (Osmocote™, ammonium nitrate) or organic N (Argrow™, liquid arginine), hypothesising that organic N confers drought resilience by increasing water use efficiency (WUE). Seedlings were grown in a glasshouse for 12 weeks with organic or inorganic N in well‐watered conditions, and then half the seedlings were subjected to water limitation for a further 4 weeks. A. mangium grew equally well on all N sources, but water limitation reduced biomass production. In contrast, N sources but not water regimes influenced biomass production in A. petriei. Under water limitation, arginine‐supplied A. petriei had higher WUE and more depleted leaf δ13C than inorganic N‐supplied plants. Our results suggest that organic N in the form of arginine can regulate stomatal conductance in A. petriei to convey drought resilience in seedlings. The generality of these findings should be explored to evaluate if organic N is a feasible source for generating drought‐resilient seedlings for restoration plantings.

The Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPMs) and Their Feasibility in Hydroponics and Vertical Farming

There are many reasons for the increase in hydroponics/soil-free systems in agriculture, and these systems have now advanced to the form of vertical farming. The sustainable use of space, the reduction in water use compared to soil-based agriculture, the lack of pesticides, the ability to control nutrient inputs, and the implementation of user-friendly technology for environmental control and harvesting are all factors that have made the global market for vertical farming predicted to reach more than USD 10.02 billion by 2027. By comparison, soil-based agriculture consumes 20 times more water, and some agricultural practices promote soil deterioration and cause environmental pollution. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) have been used extensively in traditional agriculture to enhance plant growth, environmental stress tolerance, and the efficacy of phytoremediation in soil-based farming. Due to the controlled atmosphere in hydroponics and vertical farms, there is strong potential to maximize the use of PGPMs. Here, we review the leveraging of plant growth-promoting microorganism mechanisms in hydroponics and vertical farming. We recommend a synchronized PGPM treatment using a biostimulant extract added to the hydroponic medium while also pre-treating seeds or seedlings with a microbial suspension for aquaponic and aeroponic systems.

Assessment of vulnerability to water shortage in semi-arid river basins: The value of demand reduction and storage capacity

Interest in securing reliable water supplies has increased due to climate change and rapid population growth. This challenge is significant in growing areas with limited water supplies. To meet water demands, water managers are considering new storage infrastructure to increase the reliability of water supplies while also identifying opportunities to reduce water use per person. Although these strategies change water consumption patterns, their success at reducing shortages across space and time for different climate change scenarios remains unclear. In this paper, population- and climate-dependent future water supply and demand models are developed and integrated into a water allocation model calibrated for the South Platte River Basin of Colorado. Eight future climate scenarios are simulated using four statistically downscaled models from the Coupled Model Inter-Comparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) with two Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP). Lastly, findings from the water allocation model simulations are generalized beyond the study area using a novel approach by introducing dimensionless indices to characterize water shortage and basin conditions. Results reveal a threshold ratio of total storage capacity to mean water supply with a value of 0.64 above which additional storage has no effect on total water shortages. This threshold communicates the limitation of building storage infrastructure as a strategy to adapt to decreasing average water supplies for basins considering increasing storage capacity. However, basins with low current capacity are likely to fall below the threshold and could invest in reservoirs to mitigate future shortages.

Residents' acceptability and response to the water-pricing policy to reduce marine pollution caused by domestic sewage

Domestic sewage has huge negative impacts on the marine environment. This paper discusses whether residents can accept the water-pricing policy that collects funds to improve sewage treatment technologies to reduce marine pollutants by raising water prices. First, the contingent valuation method is used to elicit residents’ acceptability of a water-price increase. Second, the contingent behavior method is applied to observe residents’ responses to the pricing policy. The results show that residents can accept an increase of 0.90 CNY/m3 in water price on average in Qingdao, China. We also find that people with low income show low acceptability of the water-pricing policy. Additionally, the water price plays a positive role in promoting residents’ willingness to reduce water use. The information transmission will encourage people to adopt water-saving behavior and strengthen the impact of the water-pricing policy on water-saving behavior. This paper provides important implications to establish a water-pricing policy to reduce the negative impacts of domestic sewage on the marine environment.

Recent Decline of Irrigation‐Induced Cooling Effect Over the North China Plain in Observations and Model Simulations

AbstractIrrigation over the North China Plain (NCP) has been demonstrated to lower temperature by altering the surface energy budget. During past decades, the concurrence of irrigated area variation and reduced irrigation intensity prompted our investigation into whether there has been a temporal change in irrigation cooling effect over the NCP, which is largely unknown. Using historical observations in 1979–2018, we detect a shift in the cooling effect occurring around 1995, when the expansion of irrigated area was going to slow down and water‐conserving irrigation technology was boomingly introduced. After this time, the accelerated process of cooling effect (−0.0045°C year−1) switches to a decelerated one (0.0089°C year−1). Regional climate simulations also show a pronounced slowdown in irrigation‐induced cooling with the rate of 0.0081°C year−1. The irrigation‐induced cooling is expected to be weaker with the persistent reduction in agricultural water use and contribute to a more rapid warming.

Adapting to water restrictions: Intensive versus extensive adaptation over time differentiated by water right seniority

AbstractThis study explores farmers' adjustments to their water use when faced with water restrictions, distinguishing between intensive and extensive adjustments and examining adaptation over time. Specifically, the study uses a difference‐in‐differences framework to explore the effect of a groundwater restriction on irrigation management strategies. In 1992, the Kansas Department of Agriculture created an Intensive Groundwater Use Control Area to improve streamflow in Walnut Creek, which feeds water to a highly important migration point on the mid‐continent flyway. The program allocates permission to extract groundwater in 5‐year allotments. The stringency of the program's restriction depends on the seniority of the water right. We find significant reductions in water use along the intensive margin for senior water rights and along both the intensive and extensive margins for junior water rights. The results indicate significant reductions in water use that imply negative welfare impacts on farmers. We also find evidence of dynamically optimal behavior within each 5‐year allotment period.

Effect of subsurface irrigation on the productivity and technological quality of sugarcane

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation depths, via subsurface drip, on the technological quality, productivity, and water use efficiency (WUE) of sugarcane cultivars. The experimental design was of balanced blocks with 12 blocks and two factors: cultivars (CTC 4, IACSP93-3046, RB86-7515, IACSP95-5000 and IAC91-1099) and irrigation depths (dry, deficit and supplementary). From the estimated evapotranspiration (ETc), irrigation depths equivalent to 100% of crop ETc were defined for the supplemental treatment and 50% for deficit. The amounts of sucrose in the juice (POL) and the cane (PC) did not differ among the cultivars; however, additional irrigation provided higher values of the evaluated parameters. The purity levels of all treatments were superior to those recommended (85%) and differed between the cultivars. In the supplementary irrigation regime, the IAC91-1099 cultivar had the highest total recoverable sugar value (TRS), equal to 165.62 kg Mg-1, and the highest yields of stalks and sugars, 157.02 and 26.01 Mg ha-1, respectively. The WUE was superior in the dry regime for the CTC4 and RB86-7515 cultivars, and these were considered tolerant to the water deficit. The deficit irrigation provided average gains in the yield of sugarcane and sugar similar to supplementary irrigation; consequently, there were substantial reductions in water use and irrigation requirements in addition to energy savings.

Application for waste hotspots investigation in the frozen shrimp upstream supply chain using environmental value stream mapping (E-VSM)

The waste that frequently results from the frozen shrimp industry includes the use of large amounts of clean water for processings, the production of large amounts of wastewater, the production of waste materials, and the utilisation of electricity from processings, all of which have an negative effect on the environment. This has indeed created improvement strategy with environmental integration as a way out to reduce waste hotspots in the frozen shrimp supply chain. The case study addresses a frozen shrimp company in Indonesia that encounters difficulties in natural resources utilization. Environmental Value Strseam Mapping (E-VSM) is used for the framework of a model to analyse upstream supply chain flows and to identify value added and non value added activities. Coagulant as a by-product from shrimp shells and seasoned shrimp powder from shrimp heads are used to potentially boost the added value of shrimp waste. Identifying and eliminating waste points in the frozen shrimp upstream supply chain will result in a 78% reduction in electricity use, a 68% reduction in water use, a 30% reduction in distribution costs, a 69.6% reduction in non-value-added activities, and a complete elimination of carbon emissions from the distribution process when compared to current conditions.

Seasonal water quality trends in a tailwater recovery system in the Mississippi Delta

In the Mississippi Delta region, tailwater recovery (TWR) systems are an important best management practice to address both water quality and quantity issues. TWRs are surface water capture-and-irrigation reuse systems using a combination of a ditch to capture surface water, an on-farm storage (OFS) reservoir to store captured surface water, and pumps to move surface water from the ditch into the OFS reservoir and to irrigate nearby fields. To determine if TWR systems are an effective way to reduce water use and downstream nutrient loads, water quality and quantity data from a ditch and pond TWR system in Sunflower County, Mississippi, were measured for five years. Objectives of this study were to assess seasonal TWR system runoff and runoff water quality trends. All water quality parameters had clear seasonal variation, except for chlorophyll <i>a</i>. Dissolved oxygen (DO), solids, conductivity, total dissolved organic carbon (TDOC), total phosphorus (TP), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) exhibited significant differences between OFS reservoir and ditch sites. Total solids were 2 to 4 times higher in the ditch than in the reservoir, depending on the season, indicating sediment lost from fields through runoff is not necessarily returned to the fields via irrigation from the reservoir. Nutrients were also generally higher in the ditch than in the reservoir. Phosphate (PO₄) was 1.4 times higher in the ditch in spring compared to the reservoir, while ammonium (NH₄) and nitrate (NO₃) were 2 to 4 times higher in the ditch during the summer. These results suggest the reservoir serves an important function to process nutrients and sediments through settling, biological uptake of nutrients, and biogeochemical transformations and emphasizes the importance of a closed TWR system.

Efficacy of anti-transpiration on yield and quality of sugar beet subjected to water stress

The current study took place at Shandaweel, Sohag governorate, Egypt, (latitude of 24.54° N and longitude of 32.94° E) and included two seasons, 2019/2020 and 2020/2021, to study the efficacy of anti-transpiration on yield and quality of sugar beet subjected to water stress. Three replications in a split-plot randomized complete block design were used in the experiment. The treatments included three irrigation levels (100, 80, and 60% of the recommended irrigation) in cases 12, 10, and 7 irrigations were applied and given at an average interval of 15, 18, and 26 days, which were randomly in the main plots, while, three anti-transpirant substances (Chitosan, Glycerol, and Magnesium carbonate), as well as water-sprayed plants (control) were placed in subplots randomly. Plant growth, chlorophyll, relative water content, cell membrane stability index, sugar production, and quality index were all lowered by drought stress in both seasons. Furthermore, under drought conditions, proline, free radical scavenging activity, and sucrose levels all increased significantly. In both seasons, the application of anti-transpiration substances had a substantial effect on improving the examined features when compared to the control. Foliar spray of chitosan or glycerol had a beneficial effect on physiological, morphological, and quality characteristics of the examined plants, compared to the control treatment. Generally, anti-transpirants reduced water use and increased water production in general when irrigation water was scarce. Furthermore, spraying anti-transpirants, which were responsible for lowering water use, considerably enhanced most of the growth and yield measures as well as quality.