Water-saving Irrigation Technology Research Articles

Water Content Variations and Pepper Water-Use Efficiency of Yunnan Laterite Under Root-Zone Micro-Irrigation.

Understanding the water content variations in Yunnan laterite (red loam soil, SR) in small-scale environments and exploring the potential for crop water-use efficiency (WUE) improvement are crucial for improving water-saving irrigation technologies used in greenhouse agriculture in Yunnan, China. In this study, a closed-loop model for calculating soil water in greenhouse potted cultivation was established based on water conservation. A Yunnan SR, yellow sand soil (SY), and a 1:1 SR–SY mixture (SM) subjected to root-zone micro-irrigation or surface-drip irrigation were experimentally examined to compare their water content variations and pepper WUEs. The results showed that the soil type and soil type–irrigation mode interaction had significant effects on both soil evaporation and pepper WUE, and that the variations in soil evaporation with respect to time can be expressed using a cubic polynomial function. In small-scale greenhouse cultivation, IG has good water-saving potential and is suitable for the SR (which has a better water-retention capacity), whereas IM is more suitable for the SY (which has a better water-penetration capacity). Mixing certain proportions of the SY into the SR will effectively impact the water content variations and crop WUE and provide opportunities for further improving the water-saving efficiency.

Effects of water allocation process on greenhouse gas emissions in drip-irrigated apple orchards on the Loess Plateau, China

Apple tree (Malus pumila Mill.) is a perennial and deciduous tree with large water demand in the growth period. Drip irrigation, as a mature and high-efficiency water-saving irrigation technology, has been widely used in apples, grapes and other economic crops around the world, achieving huge economic benefits. However, studies addressing the effects of drip irrigation on soil greenhouse gas emissions from apple orchards on the Loess Plateau in China are limited, and little is known about the potential drivers of the global warming potential based on the water allocation processes in apple orchards under drip irrigation technology. Hence, the goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of water allocation processes on soil greenhouse gas emissions and potential drivers of the global warming potential in apple orchards based on different irrigation water treatments under drip irrigation technology for a two-year consecutive field experiment in 2019 and 2020. The results showed that soil water-filled pore space, daily mean soil surface evaporation and plant transpiration were all significantly increased by drip irrigation. The peaks of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide fluxes showed a lagged effect, with fluxes proportional to irrigation amount (with emissions occurring throughout the growth period) while methane fluxes were consumptive. Overall, using higher drip irrigation water in apple orchards increased the growth-period mean emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide and decreased the growth-period mean uptake of methane. Therefore, optimization of drip irrigation water is needed in practice to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from apple orchard production. Furthermore, the global warming potential was directly driven by soil water-filled pore space, soil surface evaporation, plant transpiration and indirectly driven by rainfall and drip irrigation. The different water allocation processes were closely linked and interacted with each other, thereby affecting the global warming potential directly or indirectly.

Analysis of Agricultural Production Potential and Enhancement Strategy in the Qaidam Basin Based on the Agro-Ecological Zone Method

The Qaidam Basin has an arid plateau continental climate, with climatic factors strongly influencing agricultural production potential. In the present study, the agro-ecological zone method was applied to study the effects of rainfall, temperature and soil on crop yield, with climatic factors as the main common influencer. By assessing the land production potential, suitable zones for grain production were identified in the Qaidam Basin, and the reasonable current input level was determined, thus, evaluating the population carrying capacity. Strategies for improving crop productivity in these regions were proposed to provide a basis for decision-making by the local government. The results showed that: 1) The photosynthetic and light-temperature production potential was high in Mangya city and the autonomous region; however, the climate production potential was low in Golmud city and the eastern part of Mangya city. After correction based on soil availability, the land production potentials of spring wheat and highland barley were greatly attenuated, and only 15.85 and 16.74% of the photosynthetic production potential, respectively. 2) The current population carrying capacity of the land resources is 595,900 people, which is in a state of human–food balance when the correction coefficient of artificial input is approximately 1.1. If the artificial input can be strengthened to achieve a correction coefficient of 1.2, the population carrying capacity could reach 676,100 people. 3) The suitable area for agricultural production was mainly located in the northeast and west of the Qaidam Basin. These areas can be used as a backup arable land resource. The temperature increase leading to evaporation increase negatively affected the yield per unit area of grain crops in Qaidam Basin. Strengthening water-saving irrigation technology and improving the utilisation rate of chemical fertilisers are good enhancement strategies for the green-oriented agricultural technology system, which would help improve the agricultural productivity potential in the Qaidam Basin.

Evaluation of the Resilience of the Socio-Hydrological System of the Tarim River Basin in China and Analysis of the Degree of Barriers

The study of changes in the resilience of socio-hydrological systems in arid zones is of great significance to ensure the sustainable development of socio-economic and water resources in arid zones. In order to fully understand the level of resilience development of the Tarim River Basin socio-hydrological system and the main impediments to its development, we constructed a resilience evaluation model of the Tarim River Basin socio-hydrological system from two aspects, vulnerability and adaptability, which is what makes this paper different from other studies. The evaluation index weights were determined using a comprehensive assignment, and the barrier factors and evolutionary characteristics of the system resilience were revealed based on the TOPSIS algorithm and barrier degree model. The results show that (1) during the period 2001–2020, the resilience of the socio-hydrological system in the Tarim River Basin showed a fluctuating upward trend, with the calculated values mainly in the range of 0.8–1.5, and the overall resilience level was mainly at the medium or good level; (2) from the changes in each criterion layer, the vulnerability and adaptability of the Tarim River Basin showed a fluctuating upward trend from 2001 to 2020, with an increase in vulnerability and adaptability; and (3) the main barriers to the resilience of the socio-hydrological system in the Tarim River Basin are the degree of pollution of surface water sources and the amount of water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP. We believe that we should continue to change the economic development model, vigorously develop water-saving irrigation technology, improve water resource utilisation and economic benefits, and improve the overall resilience of the socio-hydrological system. A full understanding of the evolutionary characteristics of the resilience of socio-hydrological systems and the main influencing factors can provide a theoretical basis for future water resources development and utilisation, socio-economic development, and related policy formulation.

The Relationship between Child Rearing Burden and Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Adaptive Technology: Taking Water-Saving Irrigation Technology as an Example

Exploring the relationship between child rearing burden and farmers’ adoption of climate adaptation technologies can be used to improve farmers’ adoption of these technologies, thus reducing the impact of climate change on agricultural production and increasing agricultural output. However, with the full implementation of the Chinese three-child policy, the number of children in families will continue to increase and the cost of raising children will rise, which will have a crowding out effect on the adoption of climate adaptive technologies. In this context, we analyzed the impact and mechanism of child rearing burden on farmers’ adoption of climate adaptive technology by Probit model and discussed its heterogeneity based on family life cycle theory. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 511 farm households in the 3 provinces of China to produce the findings. We found that the child rearing burden had a significant negative impact on farmers’ adoption of climate adaptive technology. The impact mechanism analysis showed that the child rearing burden mainly affected farmers’ adoption of climate adaptive technology through three paths: risk appetite, economic capital and non-agricultural employment, with non-agricultural employment having the largest impact, followed by risk appetite and finally, economic capital. Furthermore, the effect of child rearing burden on the adoption of climate adaptive technology was heterogeneous amid different family life cycles: In the upbringing and burden period, the child support burden had a significant negative impact on the adoption of climate adaptive technology and the impact was greater in the upbringing period, while in the stable period, the child support burden had a significant positive impact on the adoption of climate adaptive technology. The influence mechanism was also heterogeneous in different family life cycles. This paper not only provides research evidence on the relationship between child rearing burden and farmers’ adoption of climate adaptive technology, but also has certain empirical value for the formulation and implementation of supportive measures for improving fertility policies.

Impacts of Fertilization Optimization on Soil Nitrogen Cycling and Wheat Nitrogen Utilization Under Water-Saving Irrigation.

Scholars have proposed the practice of split nitrogen fertilizer application (SNFA), which has proven to be an effective approach for enhancing nitrogen use efficiency. However, the combined effects of SNFA on wheat plant nitrogen use efficiency, ammonia (NH3) emission flux, as well as the rates of nitrification and denitrification in different ecosystems remain unclear. Meanwhile, few studies have sought to understand the effects of the split nitrogen fertilizer method under water-saving irrigation technology conditions on nitrogen loss. The current study assessed soil NH3 volatilization, nitrification, and denitrification intensities, as well as the abundance of nitrogen cycle-related functional genes following application of different treatments. Specifically, we applied a nitrogen rate of 240 kg⋅ha–1, and the following fertilizer ratios of the percent base to that of topdressing under water-saving irrigation: N1 (basal/dressing, 100/0%), N2 (basal/dressing, 70/30%), N3 (basal/dressing, 50/50%), N4 (basal/dressing, 30/70%), and N5 (basal/dressing, 0/100%). N3 treatment significantly reduced NH3 volatilization, nitrification, and denitrification intensities, primarily owing to the reduced reaction substrate concentration (NO3– and NH4+) and abundance of functional genes involved in the nitrogen cycle (amoA-AOB, nirK, and nirS) within the wheat-land soil. 15N tracer studies further demonstrated that N3 treatments significantly increased the grain nitrogen accumulation by 9.50–28.27% compared with that under other treatments. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the amount of nitrogen absorbed by wheat from soil and fertilizers, which was caused by an enhancement in total nitrogen uptake (7.2–21.81%). Overall, N3 treatment (basal/dressing, 50/50%) was found to effectively reduce nitrogen loss through NH3 volatilization, nitrification and denitrification while improving nitrogen uptake by wheat. Thus, its application will serve to further maximize the yield and provide a fertilization practice that will facilitate cleaner wheat production in the North China Plain.

Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

Water-saving irrigation technology in the foothill areas in the south of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The article presents the results of research that are devoted to water-saving irrigation technology on steep slopes and clarified the elements of irrigation techniques at contour irrigation and discrete irrigation in the south of Uzbekistan. The technology of muddy water irrigation for drip irrigation of gardens has been developed. The implementation of drip irrigation technology in intensive gardens has resulted in a 20-60% reduction in water consumption on arable land, up to 50% on mineral fertilizers and up to 30% on fuel and lubricants. Also, the level of ground water does not rise due to the irrigation water requirements of the plant and excessive water supply, low water evaporation from the soil, as well as uniform moisture throughout the field.

Research on the safe utilization of agricultural water resources in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract Considering the current problems related to the utilization of agricultural water resources in the Yellow River Basin, we propose the definition of the safe utilization of agricultural water resources based on the summary and analysis of recent studies on water resources security. Through the analysis of water resources development and utilization in the basin over the years, an evaluation index system for agricultural water resources security in the basin was constructed, and a weighted cooperative game method combination was used to evaluate the agricultural water resources security in the basin using the weighted TOPSIS model. The evaluation results show that the utilization of agricultural water resources in the areas under the jurisdiction of Sichuan and Shandong Provinces in the basin was in a secure or a relatively higher state, whereas Ningxia was in a relatively unsecure state, and the remaining provinces were in a basic secure state. Based on the evaluation results, we have provided the corresponding countermeasures for the safe utilization of agricultural water resources in terms of water-saving irrigation technology, water resources monitoring system, and water resources management system to support the effective implementation of efficient water-saving irrigation of agricultural water resources in the Yellow River Basin.

Effect of film mulching on crop yield and water use efficiency in drip irrigation systems: A meta-analysis

Improving water use efficiency is an effective way to conserve water in agriculture. Drip irrigation is a water-saving irrigation technology that has been adopted worldwide. Film mulching can prevent undesired water vaporization losses and enhance soil surface temperature. This study used a meta-analysis to assess the effects of mulching on crop yield (CY) and water use efficiency (WUE) under drip irrigation to determine whether a superposition effect occurs when combining film mulching and drip irrigation and whether the limiting factors of film mulching play a positive role in agricultural production. The results showed that film-mulching drip irrigation (FMDI) increased CY and WUE by about 20% and 30%, respectively, compared with nonmulching drip irrigation (NMDI). These improvements were affected by climatic conditions (climate), soil conditions (SC), crop type (CT), water consumption (WC), and mulching material (MM). For climate, film mulching was most effective in areas with temperature (Te) values below 10 °C and rainfall (RF) less than 400 mm, increasing CY by 17.6% and WUE by 16.2%. For SC, FMDI improved CY and WUE the most in medium-textured (loam) soil types with less than 17% plant available water capacity. As water consumption increased, the effect size of CY and WUE under FMDI decreased. For CT, FMDI increased vegetable CY (13.3–17.5%) and field crop WUE (12.3–53.7%). MM had no significant effect on improving CY or WUE. This study provides a reference for the practice of film mulching under drip irrigation conditions.

Exploring the Application of High Efficiency Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

Exploring the Application of High Efficiency Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

The Adoption of Water-Saving Irrigation Technologies in the Mitidja Plain, Algeria: An Econometric Analysis

This study aims to identify and analyze the major determinants that affect the adoption choice, rate and intensity of water-saving irrigation technologies (sprinkler and drip irrigation techniques) available in the western part of the irrigated perimeter of Mitidja Plain, Algeria. A sample of 136 farmers (28.75%) was randomly selected and surveyed using a structured questionnaire. Three econometric models were used, namely the Logit, Tobit and Poisson regression models. The main findings of the resulted models indicated that capital constraints (credit access, investment costs and subsidies) along with some human capital aspects (age, educational level) and water extraction cost, are the main determinants expected to influence the WSIT adoption choice, rate and intensity in the study area. These results will help to prioritize the factors that affect adoption decisions and provide insights for improving the crop and water productivity.

Research on Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Water Conservancy Project

Research on Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Water Conservancy Project

Alleviating water scarcity and poverty through water rights trading pilot policy: A quasi-natural experiment based approach

Water poverty is among the most significant global challenges and severely restricts the sustainable development of societies and economies, especially in the world's arid regions. Many countries have attempted to address this challenge. Market-based trading mechanisms represent an essential method of resolving the problem of water shortages and alleviating water poverty. Based on a quasi-natural experiment of water rights trading pilots in China, this study uses panel data from 31 provinces (municipalities) from 2009 to 2019 to explore the impact of water rights trading pilot policy on water poverty through a difference-in-differences (DID) model. The research results show that such policies can effectively alleviate water poverty by improving water-saving irrigation technology, promoting industrial and agricultural water trading, and optimizing the industrial structure. Additionally, dynamic effect and spatial heterogeneity analyses show that the water rights trading pilot policy have long-term effects and have a stronger mitigation effect on the western region of China compared with the central and eastern regions. Therefore, the Chinese government should not only further expand the implementation scope of these policies but also adjust measures according to local conditions to accurately and effectively implement such policies in different regions. Our study provides insights into water policies in China that can better manage natural resources and reduce water poverty in the arid areas around the world.

Water resource use and driving forces analysis for crop production in China coupling irrigation and water footprint paradigms.

The crop water relationship quantification is conducive to decision-making for regional food safety and resource conservation. However, irrigation water and crop water footprint (CWF) was observed separately in previous studies, which leads to incomplete evaluation of water resource occupation in agricultural system. The crop water resource use (WRU), combining WF and irrigation water accounting, in 31 provinces of China from 1999 to 2018 was estimated in current paper. The driving forces of WRU were analyzed using the logarithmic mean divisia index (LMDI) model, based on its spatial and temporal patterns demonstration. The results showed that national WRU increased from 1051.6 Gm3 in 1999 to 1676.4 Gm3 in 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 2.48%. The provinces with high WRU were mainly distributed in North China and Northeast China. Hebei, Shandong, and Henan jointly contributed 28.9% of the national WRU. In addition, economic level was the largest contributor to promote the growth of WRU, and water use intensity was the most important contributor to inhibit the growth of WRU. Economic level, resource endowment, and population size had a promoting effect on WRU in Northeast, Northwest, North China, and Southeast provinces, while water use intensity, irrigation technique, and urbanization degree showed inhibitory effect in Northeast, Northwest, and Southwest provinces. It is meaningful to combine water footprint and irrigation water use for agricultural water management and conservation. The arid North China Plain should adopt water-saving irrigation and rainwater recycling technologies to control WRU, and the Northeast granary should reduce WRU by strengthening water pollution prevention and improving water resources scheduling to ensure food security and sustainable use of water resources.

Does Internet use promote the adoption of agricultural technology? Evidence from 1 449 farm households in 14 Chinese provinces

China is characterized as ‘a large country with many smallholder farmers’ whose participation in modern agriculture is key to the country's modern agriculture development. Promoting smallholder farmers’ adoption of modern agricultural production technology is one effective way to improve the capabilities of smallholder farmers. This paper aims to explore the impact of Internet use on the adoption of agricultural production technology by smallholder farmers based on a survey of 1 449 smallholders across 14 provinces in China. The results suggest that Internet use can significantly promote technology adoption, with the probability of adopting new crop varieties, water-saving irrigation technology and straw-returning technology increasing by 0.200, 0.157 and 0.155, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of Internet use is found to be heterogeneous with a greater effect on smallholder farmers having low education levels, limited training, and high incomes. To increase agricultural production technology adoption by smallholders, rural Internet infrastructure and Internet use promotion should be the focus for the Chinese government.

Discussion on the Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

Discussion on the Application of Water-saving Irrigation Technology in Farmland Water Conservancy Project

CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE CENTRAL ASIA REGION HIGHLANDS WATER RESOURCES IS THE KEY TO THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

The current state and prospects of agricultural development in the Central Asian countries are considered. It is shown that demographic factors and food security are the main stimulating factors for the further development of agriculture. The acceleration of the melting of glaciers in Central Asia stimulates the search and development of progressive and water-saving irrigation technologies. The problem of the impact of large and medium-sized reservoirs on the microclimate and crop yields with the increasing development of the hydroelectric potential of the region becomes relevant. The chemical composition of irrigation water is a key factor in the preservation of soil structure and the development of crops, and the movement of chemical elements through the functioning of the water-soilplant chain can harm the health of the population.

Excessive application of chemical fertilizer and organophosphorus pesticides induced total phosphorus loss from planting causing surface water eutrophication

Total phosphorus (TP) loss from planting was one of the resources causing agricultural non-point source pollution. It is significant to clarify the factors influencing TP loss, as well as explore the relationship between TP loss from planting and surface water eutrophication for making recommendations on the reduction of environmental pollution. In this study, the minimum and maximum of average TP loss was appeared in Qinghai and Shandong province with the TP loss of 7.7 × 102 t and 7.5 × 103 t from 2012 to 2014, respectively. The results of structural equation model (SEM) indicating that the effect of anthropogenic drivers on TP loss was more important than natural conditions due to the higher path coefficient of anthropogenic drivers (0.814) than that of natural conditions (0.130). For anthropogenic drivers, the path coefficients of usage of fertilizer and pesticides, which was often excessively applied in China, were 0.921 and 0.909, respectively causing they the two dominant factors affecting TP loss. Annual precipitation and relative humidity, which were belongs to natural conditions, increased TP loss by enhancing leaching and surface runoff. However, light duration could reduce TP loss by promoting crop growth and increasing TP absorption of crops, with a path coefficient of − 0.920. TP loss of each province in per unit area from planting was significantly correlated with TP concentration of its surface water (p < 0.05), suggesting that TP loss from planting was the main factor causing surface water eutrophication. This study targeted presented three proposals to reduce the TP loss from planting, including promotion of scientific fertilization technologies, restriction of organophosphorus pesticides, and popularization of water saving irrigation technologies. These findings as well as suggestions herein would provide direction for the reduction of TP loss from planting.

Alternate Partial Root-Zone Drip Nitrogen Fertigation Reduces Residual Nitrate Loss While Improving the Water Use but Not Nitrogen Use Efficiency.

The efficient utilization of irrigation water and nitrogen is of great importance for sustainable agricultural production. Alternate partial root-zone drip irrigation (APRD) is an innovative water-saving drip irrigation technology. However, the coupling effects of water and nitrogen (N) supply under APRD on crop growth, water and N use efficiency, as well as the utilization and fate of residual nitrates accumulated in the soil profile are not clear. A simulated soil column experiment where 30–40 cm soil layer was 15NO3-labeled as residual nitrate was conducted to investigate the coupling effects of different water [sufficient irrigation (W1), two-thirds of the W1(W2)] and N [high level (N1), 50% of N1 (N2)] supplies under different irrigation modes [conventional irrigation (C), APRD (A)] on tomato growth, irrigation water (IWUE) and N use efficiencies (NUE), and the fate of residual N. The results showed that, compared with CW1N1, AW1N1 promoted root growth and nitrogen absorption, and increased tomato yield, while the N absorption and yield did not vary significantly in AW2N1. The N absorption in AW2N2 decreased by 16.1%, while the tomato yield decreased by only 8.8% compared with CW1N1. The highest IWUE appeared in AW2N1, whereas the highest NUE was observed in AW2N2, with no significant difference in NUE between AW2N1 and CW1N1 at the same N supply level. The 15N accumulation peak layer was almost the same as the originally labeled layer under APRD, whereas it moved 10–20 cm downwards under CW1N1. The amount of 15N accumulated in the 0-40 cm layer increased with the decreasing irrigation water and nitrogen supply, with an increase of 82.9–141.1% in APRD compared with that in CW1N1. The utilization of the 15N labeled soil profile by the tomato plants increased by 9–20.5%, whereas the loss rate of 15N from the plant-soil column system decreased by 21.3–50.1% in APRD compared with the CW1N1 treatment. Thus, APRD has great potential in saving irrigation water, facilitating water use while reducing the loss of residual nitrate accumulated in the soil profile, but has no significant effect on the NUE absorbed.