Subsurface Water Retention Technology Research Articles

Subsurface Water Retention Technology Promotes Drought Stress Tolerance in Field-Grown Tomato

Agricultural activities depend heavily on irrigation in arid and semi-arid climates, which are one of the most water-limited areas, reducing agricultural productivity. As the climate changes, the lack of precipitation is expected to aggravate in these areas, requiring careful management of water use. Subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) may hold promise as a management tool to save water use and improve crop drought resistance. In this context, the effect of SWRT on tomato yield, growth, physiology, and biochemical characteristics, as well as soil characteristics under two regimes of water (100% field capacity (FC) and 50% FC) in open field conditions, was investigated. The results here suggest that drought affected tomato performance. Nevertheless, SWRT application significantly increased tomato yield (38%), chlorophyll fluorescence (3%), gas exchange (39%), and chlorophyll total content (49%), as well as soil fertility characteristics, with significant increases in organic matter (23%) and assimilable phosphorus contents (25%) compared with the control. Furthermore, it resulted in a significant reduction in enzymatic antioxidant activities and polyphenol and significant improvement in fruit quality by increasing protein content. This technique should be used as a valuable strategy to save irrigation water and mitigate the negative effects of water deficiency on tomato plants in arid and semi-arid regions.

Improving drought tolerance ofOpuntia ficus-indicaunder field using subsurface water retention technology: changes in physiological and biochemical parameters

The prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica) is an essential economic and ecological medicinal plant in arid and semi-arid areas, especially in Morocco, where water scarcity affects its survival and growth. Evidence suggests that subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) may enhance crops’ drought resistance. A field experiment was conducted to explore SWRT application effects on cactus cladodes’ growth and physiological and biochemical performance under drought conditions. Two water regimes were applied (rainfed conditions; irrigated with 4 L of water twice a week) with two treatments (without SWRT; with SWRT). The results showed that cactus cladodes’ growth and physiological and biochemical parameters cultivated for 8 months were negatively affected by drought. Drought-exposed cactus cladodes under SWRT application showed an increase in surface area and cladode stomatal densities by 65% and 29%, respectively, compared with no SWRT. This technology reduced drought-induced oxidative stress by mitigating malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide excess by 22% and 17%, respectively. Moreover, lower levels of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant activities were concluded, and soil organic matter and assimilable phosphorus contents were enhanced. In conclusion, our findings highlighted SWRT’s positive impacts on the tested parameters, thus presenting it as a promising technology for cactus growth and development improvement under water deficiency.

Reducing Climate Risks by Improving Food Production and Value Chains: A Case of Sandy Soils in Semi-arid Kenya

Due to climate change and variability, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent worldwide, causing significant reductions in agricultural production and food security. The livelihoods of smallholder farmers, especially those eking out a living by farming on sandy soils, are particularly affected. We examined this issue using the case of Makueni County, a semi-arid area with sandy soils in south-eastern Kenya. Using survey data from 202 households, we examined extreme weather events affecting smallholder farmers and current management strategies used to mitigate the consequences. We then performed field experiments to assess potential gains of implementing sub-surface water retention technology (SWRT) in the region. Finally, we held group discussions with stakeholders in food value chains (FVC) to identify ways of managing climate risks to smallholder farmers. Analysis of the survey data showed that 199 of 202 farmers surveyed had experienced an extreme event associated with climate change and variability during the previous five years. Of these 199 farmers, 161 reported having changed their farming practices to adapt, especially to drought (70%) and increased temperature (22%). Common adaptation practices included early planting, reducing the area under cultivation, and water harvesting. In the field experiments, using SWRT resulted in a 50, 100, 150, and 170% increase in maize grain yield, cob numbers, cob weight, and maize stover biomass, respectively, compared with the control (without SWRT). Stakeholder group discussions along the FVC demonstrated a need for synergy among actors to mitigate climate risks caused by extreme weather events. These findings suggest that diversification of management strategies at farm level, combined with external inputs (new technologies, improved seeds, etc.) and services (credit access, learning from peers and professionals), will be instrumental in reducing future climate risks to smallholder farmers. Improving access to viable markets and fostering mutually beneficial linkages with post-harvest processors would add value to farm produce, thus further increasing income and the capacity of smallholder farmers to manage climate risks.

Evaluating the Effect of Supplementary Irrigation on Improvement of Economic Water Productivity for Winter Wheat

Utilizing of subsurface water retention technology is a modern technique to retain and save the application water for sustainability of agricultural production through scheduling and management the irrigation processes. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the supplementary irrigation and rainfed water on improvement of economic water productivity for winter wheat. The experiment was conducted in open field, within Joeybeh Township, located in east of the Ramadi City, in Anbar Province, for the growing season 2018-2019. Two plots were used for comparison process, the first plot where membrane trough below the root depth was installed and supplementary irrigation system was conducted beside the rainfed water and according to scheduling the irrigation process as checkbook method. While in second plot, the membrane trough was installed and only rainfed water was depend on. Cultivated date of winter wheat was December, 20th, 2018, and the harvest date was May, 10th, 2019. The obtained result was showed that the crop yield and economic water productivity from the first plot and the second plot were equaled to 0.52 kg/m2 and 0.35 kg/m2, and 930 ID/m3 and 800 ID/m3, respectively. The increasing value of crop yield and economic water productivity in the first plot was more than that in the second plot by 49 % and 16 %, respectively. The benefits of applying supplementary irrigation system with installing the new techniques of retaining the applied water were sufficient in improvement the crop yield and accordingly improved value of the economic water productivity.

Assessment Improving of Rainwater Retention on Crop Yield and Crop Water Use Efficiency for Winter Wheat

Storage of rainwater within the root depth zone is one of the modern ways to increase plant production. Subsurface water retention technology was applied to assess improving values of crop yield and crop water use efficiency, applying a membrane made of low-density polyethylene trough installed below the crop root zone. The goal of this paper is to assess that the retention of rainwater above the membrane can improve the crop yield and crop water use efficiency values for winter wheat. The experiment was conducted in open field, within Joeybeh Township, located in east of the Ramadi City, in Anbar Province, in winter growing season 2018-2019. Two plots T1 (with membrane trough) and T2 (without membrane) were used for the comparison and cultivated with winter wheat, where the rainwater was only the source of irrigation. At the end of the harvest stage the obtained results of crop yield and crop water use efficiency for plots T1 and T2 were; 0.35 kg/m2 and 1.66 kg/m3, and 0.28 kg/m2 and 1.28 kg/m3, respectively. The increasing value of crop yield and crop water use efficiency in plot T1 was about 25 % and 30 %, respectively more than plot T2. Benefits of the installation of membrane trough are to keep soil moisture for longer times, prevent the cracks of the soil surface and reduce the deep percolation losses.

Minireservoirs Could Save Farmers with Sandy Soils

A recently revived subsurface water retention technology could conserve water and drastically increase crop yields in arid landscapes with sandy soils like sub-Saharan Africa.

Manufacture and Performance Evaluation of Machine to Extend Plastic Films Under Soil Surface to Improve Water Retention Balouza-North Sinai

Water shortage presents a serious problem nowadays. This problem will certainly worsen in the future, and so, improving the irrigation water efficiency by various methods is one of the economically viable alternatives in overcoming the water scarcity. It considers a good solution to overcome the fight against famine especially in the developing countries. A new technique in cultivation by installing plastic membrane sheet below the crop’s root zone named subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) which helped to save irrigation water in the root zone, less farm losses, increasing the field water use efficiency and water productivity. But the difficult of installing SWRT system alienated many farmers from adopting this system. Therefore, in this paper, developed machine was manufactured to install the plastic membrane sheet below the root zone of Faba bean crop during the winter growing season 2018 in open field which cultivated at two systems, the first was ridges system and the second was flat soil system. The total fabrication cost of the study machine was 25000 L. E with 2018 price level. This research was carried out in a Balouza research station in north Sinai governorate. Subsurface drip irrigation system was used for irrigation process and laid by developed machine. Three treatments types were used, cultivated system treatment (ridges and flat soil), aspect ratio treatment (2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) (width to height) and the installing depth of plastic sheet from soil surface (20, 30 and 40) cm. In addition, control treatment was without using the plastic membrane sheet. Actual field capacity, field efficiency, pulling force, fuel consumption rate, total water stored, water consumptive use, stored and consumption water efficiency, Faba bean grain yield, productivity of irrigation water, cost of developed machine and cost of manual process were discussed and compared between the treatments. The obtained results indicated that the machine study succeed in carried out SWRT system and laying subsurface drip irrigation pipes at efficiency of 92% for plastic laying depth, (91% - 95%) for plastic aspect ratio (width - height) and 96% for depth of laying drip pipes. In general, SWRT system achieved the highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 49%, 53% and 50% respectively, and achieved the lowest cost about of 74% compared to without using plastic film. The results showed that aspect ratio 2:1 achieved the lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost about of 24%, 22% and 7% respectively, and the highest actual field capacity about of 6% compared to 4:1 aspect ratio. While, the aspect ratio 4:1 achieved the highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 21%, 26% and 14% respectively, compared to 2:1 aspect ratio. The lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost achieved at 20cm plastic laying depth about of 49%, 44% and 8% respectively, and highest actual field capacity about of 6% compared to 40cm depth. The highest total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 14%, 17% and 11% respectively, at 40cm plastic laying depth compared to 20cm depth. The ridge system achieved the lowest pulling force, fuel consumption and cost about of 33%, 32% and 8% respectively, and the highest actual field capacity, total water stored, water consumptive use and Faba bean grain yield about of 5%, 8%, 9% and 8% respectively, compared to flat soil.

The Potential Benefits and Trade-Offs of Using Sub-surface Water Retention Technology on Coarse-Textured Soils: Impacts of Water and Nutrient Saving on Maize Production and Soil Carbon Sequestration

In Sub-Saharan Africa, several smallholder communities continuously grapple with soil-based poverty as the coarse-textured soils on which they eke out a living have low water and nutrient retention capacities. The new sub-surface water retention technology (SWRT), is based on the subsurface installation of impermeable water‐retaining membranes of linear and low-density polyethylene, reduces the amount of water and nutrients lost through deep percolation especially on coarse-textured soils. In this study, we used stochastic simulations on the diffusion of sub-surface water retention technology (SWRT) on coarse-textured (sandy) soils in eight different Eastern and Southern African countries. Using results from previous research on SWRT we estimated increases in maize grain yields and biomass accumulation. Results from the least and most promising diffusion scenarios suggested that with ten years of widespread adoption of SWRT regional maize production could increase by 10 and 40 million tonnes per season. Carbon sequestration could reach 2 to 4 tonnes from the 7th year after implementation (YAI) and 2 to 12 tonnes for the 15 YAI for the best diffusion scenario as consequence of increased biomass production following SWRT adoption. While our results suggest synergistic reductions in the rate of water and nutrient loss from crop root zones, SWRT is characterized by high initial financial and labour investment costs without effective financial support would be prohibitive to uptake by the generally resource-limited smallholder farmers working on sandy soils. Moreover, as SWRT is new, there is a need for more dissemination efforts to increase awareness on the technologies amongst extension workers, decision-makers and agricultural investors that can promote and incentivize the adoption of this technology in areas were agricultural productivity is constrained by coarse-textured soils.

Subsurface Water Retention a Technology for Increasing the Field Use Efficiency and Water Saving Values of Cucumber Plant

The technology of subsurface soil water retention (SWRT) uses a polyethylene ‎trough that is fixed under the root zone of the plant. It is a modern technology to increase the values of water ‎use efficiency, plant productivity and saving irrigation water by applying as little irrigation water ‎as possible. This study work aims at improving the crop yield and water use efficiency of a cucumber plant with less applied irrigation water by installing membrane trough below the soil surface. The field experiment was conducted in the Hawr Rajab District of ‎Baghdad Governorate in Winter 2018 for testing various trickle irrigation ‎systems. Two agricultural ‎treatment plots were utilized in a greenhouse for the comparison. Plot T1 has used ‎a subsurface trickle irrigation together with membrane trough. Plot T2 has used only ‎surface trickle irrigation system without using SWRT. The total area of the plots T1and T2 was 13.2 ‎m2 and 6.66 m2, respectively. The obtained results of the study confirmed that the plot T1 satisfies values greater than plot ‎T2 in terms of crop yield, field water use efficiency and in saving the applied irrigation water. The increase rate of field water use efficiency and crop yield in plot T1 compared with plot T2 was 103 %, ‎and 24 %, respectively. Additionally, the increase rate in saving the applied irrigation water ‎in plot T1 comparing with plot T2 was 64 %. The installation of the membrane trough below the plant’s root zone together with subsurface trickle irrigation system assisted in keeping the water, nutrients, and fertilizers during the root zone profile, improving the field water use efficiency and then the parameter of water productivity.
 ‎ Subsurface trickle irrigation, subsurface water retention technology, yield, ‎water use efficiency.

Crop yield simulation optimization using precision irrigation and subsurface water retention technology

Maximizing crop production with minimal resources such as water and energy is the primary focus of sustainable agriculture. Subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) is a stable approach that preserves water in sandy soils using water saving membranes. An optimal use of SWRT depends on its shape, location and other factors. In order to predict crop yield for different irrigation schedule, we require at least two computational processes: (i) a crop growth modeling process and (ii) a water and nutrient permeation process through soil to the root system. Validation of software parameters to suit properties of specific field becomes increasingly hard since they involve a coordination with field data and coordination between two software. In this paper, we propose a computationally fast approach that utilizes HYDRUS-2D software for water and nutrient flow simulation and DSSAT crop simulation software with an evolutionary multi-objective optimization (EMO) procedure in a coordinated manner to minimize water utilization and maximize crop yield prediction. Our proposed method consists of training one-dimensional crop model (DSSAT) on data generated by two dimensional model calibrates and validates (HYDRUS-2D), that accounts for water accumulation in the SWRT membranes. Then we used DSSAT model to find the best irrigation schedules for maximizing crop yield with the highest plant water use efficiency (Tambussi et al., 2007; Blum, 2009) using for the EMO methodology. The optimization procedure minimizes water usage with the help of rainfall water and increases corn yield prediction as much as six times compare to a non-optimized and random irrigation schedule without any SWRT membrane. Our framework also demonstrates an integration of latest computing software and hardware technologies synergistically to facilitate better crop production with minimal water requirement.

Improvement Water Productivity of Eggplant Under Subsurface Water Retention Technology

A study of the evaluation of the water productivity (WP) of eggplant under subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) through membrane sheet installed under the root zone has been conducted in sandy loam soil located in Al-Fahamah Township, Baghdad, during two growing seasons (from January 10th to May 31st, 2017 in a greenhouse and from April 9th to July 10th, 2017 in open field). For this purpose, two treatments plot with membrane sheet and without using membrane sheet were applied for each growing season to determine and compare the effect of water saving membrane on productivity of eggplant. Results showed apparent differences among the water productivities of eggplant in the greenhouse and open field. The WP values of eggplant inside greenhouse for SWRT treatment and control plot were 5640 ID/m3 and 3700 ID/m3, respectively and in open field were 2220 ID/m3 and 1570 ID/m3, respectively. The WP of eggplant for SWRT treatment was more than the control plot inside the greenhouse and in open field by 52 % and 40 %, respectively. The installation of membrane sheet below the soil surface was improved the value of water productivity of eggplant and more saving in applied of irrigation water.

Effects of Subsurface Water Retention Technology on Crop Coefficient and Crop Evapotranspiration of Eggplant

In this paper, the effects of subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) on crop coefficient (kc) and crop evapotranspiration (ETc) of eggplant were investigated in sandy loam soil. For this purpose, two treatments plot (with SWRT and without using SWRT) were adopted during 93 days of cultivation. The study was conducted in open field within Al-Fahamah Township, Baghdad, Iraq during summer growing season 2017. The accumulated ETc of eggplant was 403.3 and 515.2 mm for SWRT treatment and control plot, respectively by reduction percentage 21.7 %. The average values of ETc during the growing season were 4.3 and 5.5 mm/day, respectively. The crop coefficients value during the growing stages for initial, development, mid-season and late season stages was 0.15, 0.41, 0.81 and 0.78 in SWRT treatment plot for the respective stages and for the control plot one 0.2, 0.46, 1.13 and 0.9, respectively.

Improving Water Use Efficiency and Water Productivity for Okra Crop by using Subsurface Water Retention Technology

Utilizing the modern technologies in agriculture such as subsurface water retention techniques were developed to improve water storage capacities in the root zone depth. Moreover, this technique was maximizing the reduction in irrigation losses and increasing the water use efficiency. In this paper, a polyethylene membrane was installed within the root zone of okra crop through the spring growing season 2017 inside the greenhouse to improve water use efficiency and water productivity of okra crop. The research work was conducted in the field located in the north of Babylon Governorate in Sadat Al Hindiya Township seventy-eight kilometers from Baghdad city. Three treatments plots were used for the comparison using surface trickle irrigation system: Polyethylene sheet (SWRT) was used in plot T1, controlled irrigation in plot T2 and uncontrolled irrigation in plot T3. Irrigation quantities, time of irrigation, soil water contents were measured for all treatments plots. The results indicated that water use efficiency for the three experimental plots, T1, T2, and T3 were: 2.43, 1.94 and 0.98 kg/m3, respectively. The increasing value in water use efficiency of T1 plot compared with T2 and T3 plots were 25 and 148 %, respectively. Additionally, the water productivity of okra crop for T1, T2, and T3 plots was: 12800.9, 8744.8, and 4736.3 ID/m3, respectively. The increasing value of the water productivity of T1 compared with plots T2 and T3 was 46 and 170 %, respectively. From this study, the benefit of using membrane sheet below the soil surface resulted in an increase in the value of yield, water use efficiency and water productivity. Moreover, saving water and reduced the water losses by deep percolation were resulted. 

Improvement of the Water Use Efficiency and Yield of Eggplant by Using Subsurface Water Retention Technology

Sustainable crop production in a coarse soil texture is challenging due to high water permeability and low soil water holding capacity. In this paper, subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) through impermeable polyethylene membranes was placed at depth 35 cm below ground surface and within the root zone to evaluate and compare the impact of these membranes and control treatment (without using the membranes) on yield and water use efficiency of eggplant inside the greenhouse. The study was conducted in Al-Fahamah Township, Baghdad, Iraq during spring growing season 2017. Results demonstrated the yield and water use efficiencies were 3.483 kg/m2 and 5.653 kg/m3, respectively for SWRT treatment plot and 3.286 kg/m2 and 3.709 kg/m3, respectively for treatment without using SWRT. The increasing percentages for yield and water use efficiency were 6% and 52%, respectively. Additionally, saving in irrigation water in the SWRT membrane was about 44% of the total applied depth comparing with the control treatment. 

Subsurface Water Retention Technology (SWRT) for Water Saving and Growing Tomato in Iraqi Sandy Soils

Subsurface Water Retention Technology (SWRT) for Water Saving and Growing Tomato in Iraqi Sandy Soils

High productivity of soilless strawberry cultivation under rain shelters

Abstract The effect of rain shelters on the performance of the day-neutral strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) Monterey cultivar was studied in northern Quebec in trials extending over 2 years. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the benefits of growing strawberry crops under plastic rain shelters in terms of yield, fruit quality, disease incidence and economical returns for soilless strawberry production. Five treatments were carried out and these included four − under rain shelters cultivation (T1 to T4) and one under open-air conditions (the Control, C). Under rain shelters conditions, plants were grown in either peat (PE; T1 treatment) or peat-sawdust (PS25; T2 treatment) substrates. Early forcing of bare-root plants (T3) in combination with a rain shelter cover was also carried out in an attempt to generate consistent early yields by the end of July as such would allow producers to capture a niche market for strawberries in Quebec. Finally in T4, the PE substrate was laid onto a capillary mat to determine the potential of sub-surface water retention technology to minimize water use. In comparison to the Control treatment, protected cultivation led to a significantly lower incidence of strawberry mildew [Sphaerotheca macularis (Wall. ex Fries)] and consistently higher marketable yields which largely compensated for the initial costs associated with the rain shelters. When grown under greenhouse conditions, forced plants had a significant production peak earlier, coinciding with the period of high prices for fresh strawberries in 2013. However, the economical analysis revealed that this method was not always profitable. Balancing economical and environmental considerations, the conditions of the T4 treatment were found to be best for generating both consistent water savings and profits (CAD $ 724–1356 per 0.1 ha) compared to the Control. Taken together, our results highlight the potential for rain shelters for soilless strawberry production, and should be a more profitable and environmentally friendly cultivation method for strawberry producers.

Subsurface Water Retention Technology Improves Root Zone Water Storage for Corn Production on Coarse‐Textured Soils

Subsurface water retention technology (SWRT) is a new, long‐term approach developed to improve water storage capacities of sandy soils for sustainable crop production. It consists of subsurface polyethylene membranes installed within the soil profile that prevent the loss of irrigation water via deep percolation. Our objective was to identify membrane shape and placement to maximize the reduction in irrigation losses. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to measure the distribution of water in a surface‐irrigated sand lysimeter with six membranes of different geometry installed at four depths. The HYDRUS‐2D model was calibrated using soil water content data to estimate water losses from four soils modified with SWRT membranes. Membranes with 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 aspect ratios installed at the 20‐ and 40‐cm depths in sand, sandy loam, loamy sand, and sandy loam soils were used in the simulations. Different vertical and horizontal alignments were also tested for the 2:1 membrane aspect ratio. The HYDRUS‐2D model adequately described the dynamics of water content measured in the lysimeter experiment. The simulation results showed that the highest reductions in water loss for most studied soil textures were achieved with a 2:1 aspect ratio membrane installed at the 20‐cm depth. The SWRT was sensitive to excessive irrigation, and its performance declined rapidly in response to overirrigation. Our modeling results demonstrated a high potential for the SWRT to reduce water losses from the plant root zone. Further testing of membrane performance is needed for different crops in real soils across a range of different climates.