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5 pages, 249 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Future of Irrigation in Agriculture in Southern Europe

by Iván Francisco García-Tejero and Víctor Hugo Durán-Zuazo

Agriculture 2022, 12(6), 820; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12060820 - 07 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1515

Abstract

Water is the most limiting natural resource in many Mediterranean areas of southern Europe, and this, together with the actual scenario of climate change (CC), promotes a framework of uncertainty and creates major challenges concerning the sustainability and viability of the current agro-ecosystems [...] Read more.

Water is the most limiting natural resource in many Mediterranean areas of southern Europe, and this, together with the actual scenario of climate change (CC), promotes a framework of uncertainty and creates major challenges concerning the sustainability and viability of the current agro-ecosystems [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

18 pages, 7963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating Cotton Growth and Productivity Using AquaCrop Model under Deficit Irrigation in a Semi-Arid Climate

by Marjan Aziz, Sultan Ahmad Rizvi, Muhammad Sultan, Muhammad Sultan Ali Bazmi, Redmond R. Shamshiri, Sobhy M. Ibrahim and Muhammad A. Imran

Agriculture 2022, 12(2), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12020242 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2096

Abstract

AquaCrop is a water-driven model that simulates the effect of environment and management on crop production under deficit irrigation. The model was calibrated and validated using three databases and four irrigation treatments (i.e., 100%ET, 80%ET, 70%ET, and 50%ET). Model performance was evaluated by [...] Read more.

AquaCrop is a water-driven model that simulates the effect of environment and management on crop production under deficit irrigation. The model was calibrated and validated using three databases and four irrigation treatments (i.e., 100%ET, 80%ET, 70%ET, and 50%ET). Model performance was evaluated by simulating canopy cover (CC), biomass accumulation, and water productivity (WP). Statistics of root mean square error (RMSE) and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) showed that model predictions are suitable for non-stressed and moderate stressed conditions. The results showed that the simulated biomass and yield were consistent with the measured values with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.976 and 0.950, respectively. RMSE and d-index values for canopy cover (CC) were 2.67% to 4.47% and 0.991% to 0.998% and for biomass were 0.088 to 0.666 ton/ha and 0.991 to 0.999 ton/ha, respectively. Prediction of simulated and measured biomass and final yield was acceptable with deviation ˂10%. The overall value of R² for WP in terms of yield was 0.943. Treatment with 80% ET consumed 20% less water than the treatment with 100%ET and resulted in high WP in terms of yield (0.6 kg/m³) and biomass (1.74 kg/m³), respectively. The deviations were in the range of −2% to 11% in yield and −2% to 4% in biomass. It was concluded that AquaCrop is a useful tool in predicting the productivity of cotton under different irrigation scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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15 pages, 2543 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Management of Czech Crop Production in 1961–2019

by Karel Malec, Zdeňka Gebeltová, Mansoor Maitah, Seth Nana Kwame Appiah-Kubi, Jitka Sirohi, Kamil Maitah, Joseph Phiri, Dariusz Pańka, Piotr Prus, Luboš Smutka and Jaroslav Janků

Agriculture 2022, 12(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12010022 - 26 Dec 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3066

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the water balance of the crop mix of the Czech Republic and the tendencies of its development during the period 1961–2019. For calculating water deficits, methodology from ČSN 750434 (Czech technical standards) was used and on its basis, [...] Read more.

This study aims to evaluate the water balance of the crop mix of the Czech Republic and the tendencies of its development during the period 1961–2019. For calculating water deficits, methodology from ČSN 750434 (Czech technical standards) was used and on its basis, the deficits of the ten most frequently represented crops of the Czech Republic were calculated. These results were then put into the context of the development of precipitation totals and the development of average annual temperatures in the observed period. Furthermore, statistical tools were used for the identification of relationships between the observed variables and the tested hypotheses to verify the statistical significance of the observed changes. The results show that the overall irrigation deficit nearly doubled in Czech agriculture when comparing the averages for the periods 1961–1970 and 2010–2019. This change was evaluated as statistically significant. Furthermore, there were also statistically significant increases in water deficits in the cases of wheat, barley, rye, oats, legumes, and rapeseed. The sowing areas of the observed crops recorded statistically significant change in all cases. Only in the case of wheat, maize and rapeseed were there increases in sowing area, specifically 146%, 642.4%, and 1132.7%, respectively. For other crops, a decrease in sowing areas was observed. This finding points to decreasing commodity diversity in Czech agriculture, which, in combination with a high degree of intensification and selected agrotechnical practices, contributes to a lower retention capacity for the soil and landscape to retain water, which in turn influences the overall water balance of the Czech agrarian sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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22 pages, 2458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Scheduling Regulated Deficit Irrigation with Leaf Water Potential of Cherry Tomato in Greenhouse and its Effect on Fruit Quality

by Leontina Lipan, Hanán Issa-Issa, Alfonso Moriana, Noemí Medina Zurita, Alejandro Galindo, María José Martín-Palomo, Luis Andreu, Ángel A. Carbonell-Barrachina, Francisca Hernández and Mireia Corell

Agriculture 2021, 11(7), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11070669 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3276

Abstract

The tomato cultivated surface is one of the most important surfaces in the world. This crop needs a sufficient and continuous supply of water during vegetative growth. Therefore, production may be at risk in warm and water-scarce areas. Therefore, the implementation of irrigation [...] Read more.

The tomato cultivated surface is one of the most important surfaces in the world. This crop needs a sufficient and continuous supply of water during vegetative growth. Therefore, production may be at risk in warm and water-scarce areas. Therefore, the implementation of irrigation alternatives such as regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) is of great importance to reduce the use of water and improve the production of the quality of tomatoes. The objective of this work was to evaluate the deficit irrigation scheduling using plant water status as a tool in deficit irrigation. Experimental design was a randomized design with four replications per treatment. Two irrigation treatments were applied: Control (125% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc)) and Regulated Deficit Irrigation (RDI). This latter treatment considered different threshold values of midday leaf water depending on crop phenological stage. No differences were observed in yield, with RDI treatment being more efficient in the use of irrigation water than the control. Besides, RDI tomatoes presented, in general, greater weight, size, Total soluble solids (TSS), sugars, antioxidant activity, lycopene, β-Carotene, and redder color with more intense tomatoes flavor. Finally, it might be said that RDI strategy helped to reduce 53% of irrigation water and to improve the nutritional, functional, and sensory quality of tomatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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12 pages, 9838 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Influence of Emitter Structure on Its Hydraulic Performance Based on the Vortex

by Cuncai Wang, Zhiqin Li and Juanjuan Ma

Agriculture 2021, 11(6), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11060508 - 30 May 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2143

Abstract

The rectangular labyrinth emitter is taken as the study object in this article, as we added internal teeth to vortex-free and vortex areas in its lateral channel or lengthened the vertical channel, to change the channel structure. Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) [...] Read more.

The rectangular labyrinth emitter is taken as the study object in this article, as we added internal teeth to vortex-free and vortex areas in its lateral channel or lengthened the vertical channel, to change the channel structure. Using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method simulates the water flow field, to get the relationship between flow rate and pressure, and the vortexes distribution in channel. The aim of this study is to explore the reasons for the influence of structural change on hydraulic performance of the emitter through the analysis of vortex intensity and its distribution from the perspective of the vortex. The results show that the relative error of simulated results and experimental data was 1.02–2.11%. Adding internal teeth to vortex-free areas in lateral channel can improve hydraulic performance of the emitter; adding them to vortex areas can reduce it. The increase in vortex number and intensity in flow field is the internal reason for the improvement of the emitter’s hydraulic performance. The channel structure changes promote the formation of a larger velocity gradient, and the increase in the velocity gradient in flow field exacerbates vortex formation. Changing channel structure to improve the emitter’s hydraulic performance can promote an increase in the number and intensity of vortexes in the channel. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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16 pages, 3974 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Can Sustained Deficit Irrigation Save Water and Meet the Quality Characteristics of Mango?

by Leontina Lipan, Aarón A. Carbonell-Pedro, Belén Cárceles Rodríguez, Víctor Hugo Durán-Zuazo, Dionisio Franco Tarifa, Iván Francisco García-Tejero, Baltasar Gálvez Ruiz, Simón Cuadros Tavira, Raquel Muelas, Esther Sendra, Ángel A. Carbonell-Barrachina and Francisca Hernández

Agriculture 2021, 11(5), 448; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11050448 - 15 May 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4364

Abstract

Mango is one of the most cultivated tropical fruits worldwide and one of few drought-tolerant plants. Thus, in this study the effect of a sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategy on mango yield and quality was assessed with the aim of reducing irrigation water [...] Read more.

Mango is one of the most cultivated tropical fruits worldwide and one of few drought-tolerant plants. Thus, in this study the effect of a sustained deficit irrigation (SDI) strategy on mango yield and quality was assessed with the aim of reducing irrigation water in mango crop. A randomized block design with four treatments was developed: (i) full irrigation (FI), assuring the crop’s water needs, and three levels of SDI receiving 75%, 50%, and 33% of irrigation water (SDI₇₅, SDI₅₀, and SDI₃₃). Yield, morphology, color, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), organic acids (OA), sugars, minerals, fiber, antioxidant activity (AA), and total phenolic content (TPC) were analyzed. The yield was reduced in SDI conditions (8%, 11%, and 20% for SDI₇₅, SDI₅₀, and SDI₃₃, respectively), but the irrigation water productivity was higher in all SDI regimes. SDI significantly reduced the mango size, with SDI₃₃ generating the smallest mangoes. Peel color significantly changed after 13 days of ripening, with SDI₇₅ being the least ripe. The TA, AA, and citric acid were higher in SDI₇₅, while the TPC and fiber increased in all SDI levels. Consequently, SDI reduced the mango size but increased the functionality of samples, without a severe detrimental effect on the yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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21 pages, 6837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Irrigation Post-Modernization. Farmers Envisioning Irrigation Policy in the Region of Valencia (Spain)

by Carles Sanchis-Ibor, Mar Ortega-Reig, Amanda Guillem-García, Juan M. Carricondo, Juan Manzano-Juárez, Marta García-Mollá and Álvaro Royuela

Agriculture 2021, 11(4), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11040317 - 04 Apr 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3337

Abstract

During the last three decades, like many other Mediterranean states, Spain has intensively promoted the modernization of irrigation, focusing mainly on the introduction of pressurized irrigation systems. Following 30 years of investment, a shift in irrigation policies is needed to solve some of [...] Read more.

During the last three decades, like many other Mediterranean states, Spain has intensively promoted the modernization of irrigation, focusing mainly on the introduction of pressurized irrigation systems. Following 30 years of investment, a shift in irrigation policies is needed to solve some of the deficiencies in this modernization process and to incorporate new measures to cope with upcoming challenges generated by international markets, climate change and other social and economic processes. This paper describes and analyses the results of participatory research carried out with the water user associations in the autonomous region of Valencia, in order to define post-modernization irrigation policies. A survey and 24 local workshops involving 304 water user associations were conducted during the irrigation season of 2018 in order to form an assessment of the sector and design new irrigation policies. The results show that after 30 years of important investment, the obsolescence of the infrastructure has become the current main priority, making farmers dependent on public subsidies. New necessities have also emerged, such as renewable energies and nonconventional water resources, which farmers consider indispensable in order to reduce operating costs and guarantee water supply. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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8 pages, 1605 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Testing Novel New Drip Emitter with Variable Diameters for a Variable Rate Drip Irrigation

by Hadi A. AL-agele, Lloyd Nackley and Chad Higgins

Agriculture 2021, 11(2), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11020087 - 20 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2648

Abstract

This research presents a new variable rate drip irrigation (VRDI) emitter design that can monitor individual water drops. Conventional drip systems cannot monitor the individual water flow rate per emitter. Application uniformity for conventional drip emitters can be decreased by clogged emitters, irregular [...] Read more.

This research presents a new variable rate drip irrigation (VRDI) emitter design that can monitor individual water drops. Conventional drip systems cannot monitor the individual water flow rate per emitter. Application uniformity for conventional drip emitters can be decreased by clogged emitters, irregular emitter orifices, and decreases in pressure. A VRDI emitter can overcome the irrigation challenges in the field by increasing water application uniformity for each plant and reducing water losses. Flow rate is affected by the diameter of the delivery pipe and the pressure of the irrigation delivery system. This study compares the volumetric water flow rate for conventional drip emitters and new VRDI emitters with variable diameters inner (1 mm, 1.2 mm, 1.4 mm, and 1.6 mm) and outside (3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, and 4.5 mm) with three pressures (34 kPa, 69 kPa, and 103 kPa). The tests revealed that the new VRDI emitter had flow rates that increased as the operating pressure increased similar to a conventional drip tube. The flow rate was slightly increased in the VRDI with pressure, but even this increase did not show large changes in the flow rate. The flow rate of the conventional drip tube was 88% larger than the VRDI emitter for all pressures (p < 0.05). However, operating pressure did not affect the drop sizes at the VRDI emitter, but the generalized linear mixed models (GLM) results show that volume per drop was impacted by the outside diameter of the VRDI outlet (p < 0.05). The interaction between the inner and outside diameter was also significant at p < 0.01, and the interaction between outside diameter and pressure was statistically significant at p < 0.01. The electronic components used to control our VRDI emitter are readily compatible with off-the-shelf data telemetry solutions; thus, each emitter could be controlled remotely and relay data to a centralized data repository or decision-maker, and a plurality of these emitters could be used to enable full-field scale VRDI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Future of Irrigation in Agriculture)

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