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17 pages, 2550 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer Applications on Nitrogen Transformation and Yield in Greenhouse Tomato Cultivation with Surface and Drip Irrigation Techniques

by Tong Li, Jiaxin Cui, Wei Guo, Yingjun She and Ping Li

Water 2023, 15(20), 3546; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15203546 - 11 Oct 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1242

Abstract

Facility agriculture in China is facing the challenge of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers), which hinder the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Optimizing nitrogen fertilizer allocation is essential to balance agricultural production and environmental concerns. The aim of [...] Read more.

Facility agriculture in China is facing the challenge of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers (nitrogen fertilizers), which hinder the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture. Optimizing nitrogen fertilizer allocation is essential to balance agricultural production and environmental concerns. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal organic fertilizer strategy for tomato cultivation under different irrigation methods. An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, and two irrigation methods, surface irrigation (SI) and drip irrigation (SDI), were used during tomato growth. The fertilization treatments included urea alone (CK); 30%, 40%, and 50% chicken manure mixed with urea (FC1, FC2, FC3); and 50% cow manure and sheep manure mixed with urea (FB3, FS3). The results showed that the irrigation techniques and fertilization had significant effects on ammonia volatilization accumulation, soil mineral nitrogen content, and tomato yield and quality. Compared with the surface irrigation technique with the same amount of fertilizer application, the drip irrigation technique reduced the ammonia volatilization accumulation by a maximum of 76.40%. The SDIFC3 and SDIFB3 ammonia volatilization accumulation was as low as 5.24 (kg·hm⁻²) and 7.61 (kg·hm⁻²); the soil nitrate nitrogen content was reduced, and the tomato yield increased significantly by 17.11%. The SDIFC3 treatment achieved a maximum yield of 13,414 (kg·hm⁻²), increased the tomato vitamin C and soluble sugar contents by 19.13% and 8.97%, and lowered the titratable acid content by as much as 30.51%. Under drip irrigation fertilization conditions, the SDIFC3 treatment showed lower ammonia volatilization accumulation and the highest tomato yield and quality compared to CK and the same proportion of organic fertilizer substitutes with cow and sheep manure. The increase in the proportion of organic fertilizers replacing chemical fertilizers resulted in a gradual decrease in ammonia volatilization accumulation and a gradual increase in the tomato yield and various qualities. The soil mineral N content, on the other hand, was significantly affected by irrigation, fertilizer application, and water–fertilizer interaction effects, with a tendency for the content to increase and then decrease after each fertilizer application. The mineral N content was lower with drip irrigation compared to surface irrigation, especially in the 10–20 cm soil layer than in the 0–10 cm layer. Increasing drip irrigation and organic fertilizer substitution significantly increased the vitamin C and soluble sugar contents in the tomatoes, while decreasing the titratable acid content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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16 pages, 812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Drip Irrigation and Fertigation on Soil Water Dynamics and Productivity of Greenhouse Tomatoes

by Jaspreet Singh, Sanjeev K. Sandal, Abrar Yousuf and Parminder Singh Sandhu

Water 2023, 15(11), 2086; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15112086 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

The proficient supply of water and nutrients is a key factor for successful vegetable production under greenhouses. This field experiment was conducted during 2018–2019 under a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of drip irrigation and nutrient schedule on soil water dynamics [...] Read more.

The proficient supply of water and nutrients is a key factor for successful vegetable production under greenhouses. This field experiment was conducted during 2018–2019 under a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of drip irrigation and nutrient schedule on soil water dynamics and the productivity of greenhouse tomato. The experiment consisted of two irrigation schedules, i.e., I₁ (irrigation applied from week 1 to 2 on the basis of 100% pan evaporation (E_pan), week 3 to 8 on the basis of 40% of E_pan, week 9 to 14 on the basis of 60% of E_pan, week 15 to 20 on the basis of 80% of E_pan, week 21 to 24 on the basis of 100% of E_pan) and I₂ (irrigation applied on the basis of 100% of E_pan throughout the crop period) with a five-nutrient schedule, viz., F₁ (100% NPK applied through the conventional method), F₂ (100% N applied through fertigation + PK through the conventional method), F₃ (100% NK applied through fertigation + P through the conventional method), F₄ (100% NPK applied through fertigation) and F₅ (50% NPK applied through the conventional method + 150% NPK applied through fertigation). The soil moisture content (SMC) and its depletion were measured during growing season. The tomato yield was significantly higher under I₂. However, water use efficiency (WUE) was significantly higher under I₁ treatment. Among the nutrient schedules, the yield and WUE were significantly higher in F₅ treatment. The net returns were highest under F₅ and lowest under F₁. The Benefit:Cost ratio was highest in F₄ and lowest under F₁. The irrigation level I₂ (irrigation applied on the basis of 100% of E_pan throughout the crop period) with fertigation treatment F₄ (100% NPK applied through fertigation) was the best strategy for obtaining the maximum productivity of tomato under the greenhouse. It can be concluded that the drip-based fertigation enhances the crop yield and net returns and therefore may be promoted to increase the income of the farmers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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19 pages, 3728 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optimized Planting Density and Nitrogen Rate Increased Grain Yield and Water-Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Two Maize Cultivars under Mulched Drip Fertigation by Improving Population Photosynthesis and Grain-Filling Characteristics

by Zhenlin Lai, Hongtai Kou, Junliang Fan, Rui Yang, Xinyu Xu, Fucang Zhang and Sien Li

Water 2023, 15(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15010163 - 31 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1396

Abstract

The characteristics of photosynthesis and grain filling play a significant role in determining maize (Zea mays L.) yield. Planting density and nitrogen (N) rate are two factors affecting the growth, physiology, and grain yield of maize. The coupling effects of planting density [...] Read more.

The characteristics of photosynthesis and grain filling play a significant role in determining maize (Zea mays L.) yield. Planting density and nitrogen (N) rate are two factors affecting the growth, physiology, and grain yield of maize. The coupling effects of planting density and N rate on individual and population photosynthetic rates, grain-filling characteristics, grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and N partial factor productivity (NPFP) of two maize cultivars (QS51 and ZD958) under mulched drip fertigation in northwest China were investigated. Three planting densities (D1: 80,000 plants ha⁻¹, D2: 100,000 plants ha⁻¹, and D3: 120,000 plants ha⁻¹) and three N rates (N0: 0 kg ha⁻¹, N180: 180 kg ha⁻¹, and N240: 240 kg ha⁻¹) were designed. The results showed that the population photosynthetic rate, grain yield, WUE, and NPFP were significantly affected by planting density and N rate for both QS51 and ZD958, and their interaction had a significant effect on grain yield, WUE, and NPFP. Nitrogen application significantly improved grain-filling rates compared with N0, but there was no significant difference between N240 and N180. The D2N180 treatment obtained the maximum grain yield (15,693 kg ha⁻¹ for QS51 and 17,644 kg ha⁻¹ for ZD958), WUE (3.42 kg kg⁻¹ for QS51 and 3.05 kg kg⁻¹ for ZD958), and NPFP (98.37 kg kg⁻¹ for QS51 and 83.93 kg kg⁻¹ for ZD958). It was concluded that the optimized planting density and N rate improved grain yield and water-nitrogen use efficiency of QS51 and ZD958 by increasing population photosynthetic rate, grain-filling rate, and grain weight. This study enhanced our understanding of how optimized planting density and N rate maintained the sustainable maize production under mulched drip fertigation in northwest China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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14 pages, 1123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Irrigation Levels Can Improve Maize Growth, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency under Drip Irrigation in Northwest China

by Mengjie Liu, Guodong Wang, Fei Liang, Quansheng Li, Yuxin Tian and Hongtao Jia

Water 2022, 14(23), 3822; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14233822 - 23 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3230

Abstract

Drip irrigation systems are becoming more and more mature, and are presently extensively applied to increase crop yield and water use efficiency. In order to investigate the effects of irrigation quota on maize growth, the grain yield, and the water use efficiency (WUE), [...] Read more.

Drip irrigation systems are becoming more and more mature, and are presently extensively applied to increase crop yield and water use efficiency. In order to investigate the effects of irrigation quota on maize growth, the grain yield, and the water use efficiency (WUE), a field experiment with four irrigation quotas (T1 420 mm, T2 480 mm, T3 540 mm, and T4 600 mm) was conducted from 2013 to 2021 in Xinjiang, China. The results showed significant changes in maize growth, yield, and WUE in response to different irrigation quotas. The plant height, leaf area index, soil and plant analyzer development (SPAD), dry matter accumulation, yield, and harvest index of maize at different irrigation quotas all showed a ‘single peak curve’, and its change was closely related to the irrigation level. The growth index, dry matter accumulation, yield, and irrigation water use efficiency with T3 were the highest. The dry matter transfer efficiency, contribution of dry matter translocation to grain, and the harvest index with T3 showed a significant increase of 13.86%, 26.06%, 29.93%, and 7.62% compared to T1, respectively. In comparison to T1, T2, and T4, the yield of T3 increased by 32.17%, 13.54%, and 11.27%, respectively, and the WUE increased by 16.56%, 6.49%, and 23.70%, respectively. The significant correlations established between the maize yield and irrigation quotas could be simulated by a Kuznets-style relation. The maize yield was negatively correlated with irrigation quotas. When the irrigation quota (x) was 539.12 mm, the maize yield (y) was 16043.92 kg·hm⁻². These results demonstrate that the optimized irrigation quota (540 mm) can effectively improve the growth, yield, and WUE of drip irrigation maize in northwest China. Meanwhile, it can provide a theoretical reference and data support for the optimal amount of irrigation for drip irrigation maize in Xinjiang China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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11 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Water and Nitrogen Coupling on Growth, Yield and Quality of Greenhouse Tomato

by Wenjun Yue, Linsong Liu, Si Chen, Yu Bai and Ningyu Li

Water 2022, 14(22), 3665; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223665 - 14 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

Irrigation water is essential for greenhouse plants because it is the only water source in the greenhouse. In addition, escalating water costs and expensive fertilizers have raised concerns about adopting advanced technology to improve water and nitrogen utilization efficiency. This study aimed to [...] Read more.

Irrigation water is essential for greenhouse plants because it is the only water source in the greenhouse. In addition, escalating water costs and expensive fertilizers have raised concerns about adopting advanced technology to improve water and nitrogen utilization efficiency. This study aimed to explore the effects of different water and nitrogen application rates on yield, fruit quality, and water and nitrogen utilization efficiency in southeast China. Plants were irrigated every 7–10 days at different proportions of crop evapotranspiration (ET_c) based on the modified Penman–Monteith formula (ET₀). The crop coefficient (K_c) was adopted as 0.6, 1.15, 1.15 and 0.9 during the seedling stage, flower stage, the mid-season stage and the end of the season stage, respectively. There were three water levels—0.75 ET_c (W₁), 1.0 ET_c (W₂), 1.25 ET_c (W₃)—and four nitrogen levels—120 (N₁), 220 (N₂), 320 (N₃), and 420 kg N hm⁻² (N₄)—and a total of 12 treatments, with the application completely randomized by using block design in the experiment. Tomato yield was improved by nitrogen supply. However, nitrogen application had a negative effect on tomato yield when the nitrogen level was applied above 320 N ha⁻¹. The maximum water use efficiency (WUE) value of 30.5 kg m⁻³ was observed at W₂N₃, and the maximum nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) value of 684.4 kg kg⁻¹ N was observed at W₁ treatment with N₁. The net photosynthetic rate of tomato leaves could be increased by reasonably increasing water and nitrogen application. The dry biomass increased with the amount of water and nitrogen in the range of (0.75–1.0) ET_c and (120–320) kg ha⁻¹. The best values of tomato quality parameters (Vc, Lycopene, soluble protein et al.) were observed at W₂N₃. The irrigation level of 1.0 ET_c and nitrogen level of 320 N ha⁻¹ was recommended as the best combination of water and nitrogen for greenhouse tomato cultivation in the experimental areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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19 pages, 2604 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Requirement of Solar Greenhouse Tomatoes with Drip Irrigation under Mulch in the Southwest of the Taklimakan Desert

by Ming Hong, Zhanyu Zhang, Qiuping Fu and Yanping Liu

Water 2022, 14(19), 3050; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14193050 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2204

Abstract

Understanding crop water requirements is important for establishing irrigation schedules, and improving water use efficiency (WUE), crop yield and crop quality. In order to reveal the optimal water requirement of tomatoes in various growth stages, the responses of the water requirement, crop coefficient, [...] Read more.

Understanding crop water requirements is important for establishing irrigation schedules, and improving water use efficiency (WUE), crop yield and crop quality. In order to reveal the optimal water requirement of tomatoes in various growth stages, the responses of the water requirement, crop coefficient, fruit yield and quality of tomato to different irrigation levels were studied in a solar greenhouse in Hetian, Southwestern Taklimakan Desert, China from August 2019 to June 2020. The medium irrigation quota (Ia) was calculated in different tomato growth stages based on the root distribution range, suitable soil moisture content of high yield, and the planned wetted percentage of drip irrigation. Five irrigation levels (60%, 80%, 100%, 120% and 140% I_a) were used. The technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) results showed that 120% I_a was the optimal irrigation quota for the yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and fruit quality of tomato. The daily water requirement of 120% I_a were 2.26, 4.28, and 2.35 mm·d⁻¹ in three growth stages in the autumn–winter season, while it was 1.96, 3.99, and 3.80 mm·d⁻¹ in the winter–spring season. The crop coefficients of the three stages in each growth season were 0.49, 1.10, and 0.76, and 0.61, 1.09, and 0.78, respectively. The results could provide guideliens for improving the productivity of protected agriculture in the Southwestern Taklimakan Desert or other similar regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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12 pages, 1602 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fate of Soil Residual Fertilizer-¹⁵N as Affected by Different Drip Irrigation Regimes

by Jingnan Chen, Qiu Jin, Qinyuan Zhu, Ying Xiao, Jingwen Zhu, Xiaohou Shao, Maomao Hou, Fenglin Zhong, Chao Lin and Lin Zhu

Water 2022, 14(15), 2281; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14152281 - 22 Jul 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

Soil residual N is a potential factor threatening the environment, but it is also an N fertilizer resource. Few studies have evaluated the fate of soil residual N under agronomic practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of residual [...] Read more.

Soil residual N is a potential factor threatening the environment, but it is also an N fertilizer resource. Few studies have evaluated the fate of soil residual N under agronomic practice. The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of residual N and its possible influencing factors with different irrigation regimes. Under three N residual situations created by the previous season using the ¹⁵N labeled urea, we employed lettuce as the plant material and three lower limits of drip irrigation including 75% (DR1), 65% (DR2), and 55% (DR3) accounting for the field water capacity as experimental treatments. A furrow irrigation treatment (FI) with the same irrigation regime as DR2 was used as control. Results showed that 2.1–4.8% of the residual ¹⁵N from the previous season was absorbed by the succeeding lettuce, 78.0–84.4% was still remained in the 0–80 cm soil, and 10.9–20.0% was unaccounted for. After harvest of succeeding lettuces, the soil residual ¹⁵N mainly existed in the mineral form. Moreover, the lettuce reuse efficiency for¹⁵N was positively correlated with the total residual ¹⁵N amount (p < 0.01) and the mineral ¹⁵N amount (p < 0.01). The overall results indicated that an appropriate irrigation regime (DR2) was conducive to promoting absorption of residual N by succeeding crop. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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13 pages, 2094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling and Evaluation of Potato Water Production Functions in a Cold and Arid Environment

by Fuqiang Li, Hengjia Zhang, Xuan Li, Haoliang Deng, Xietian Chen and Lintao Liu

Water 2022, 14(13), 2044; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14132044 - 26 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1807

Abstract

This study was conducted at the Yimin Irrigation Experiment Station, Minle County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, from April to October in 2019 and 2020. The relationship between water consumption and yield of potato at different stages of fertility under deficit-regulated irrigation was analyzed [...] Read more.

This study was conducted at the Yimin Irrigation Experiment Station, Minle County, Zhangye City, Gansu Province, from April to October in 2019 and 2020. The relationship between water consumption and yield of potato at different stages of fertility under deficit-regulated irrigation was analyzed in a field trial study over two growing seasons. The results showed that the average annual water consumption in the tuber bulking stage was the largest, reaching 185.35~239.52 mm, followed by the average annual water consumption in the tuber initiation stage and starch accumulation stage, which were 100.02~132.30 mm and 82.48~112.36 mm, respectively, and the average annual water consumption in the seedling stage was the least, at 49.32~69.81 mm. Simultaneously, the average annual yield of potatoes in the treatment of WD1 was the highest, reaching 47,766.96 kg·hm⁻², followed by CK, which was 43,707.6 kg·hm⁻², and the yield of WD6 was the smallest in the treatment of moderate water deficit during tuber initiation, which was only 35,721.25 kg·hm⁻². Combining the four moisture production function models of Jensen, Minhas, Blank and Stewart, the Jensen and Stewart models were identified as suitable for the potato moisture production function in a cold and arid environment. The water production function model was used to investigate the relationship between water consumption and yield in each growth period of potato, and to provide a theoretical basis for the optimization of the irrigation system under deficit-regulating irrigation conditions for potato in this irrigation area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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17 pages, 2952 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Influence of Deficit Irrigation on Fruit Yield and Quality Indices of Tomatoes Grown in Sandy Loam and Silty Loam Soils

by Kelvin Edom Alordzinu, Sadick Amoakohene Appiah, Alaa AL Aasmi, Ransford Opoku Darko, Jiuhao Li, Yubin Lan, Daniel Adjibolosoo, Chenguo Lian, Hao Wang, Songyang Qiao and Juan Liao

Water 2022, 14(11), 1753; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14111753 - 30 May 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2214

Abstract

The most important biotic stress factor impacting tomato crop biophysical, biochemical, physiological, and morphological features is water stress. A pot experiment was undertaken in a greenhouse to study the drought responsiveness of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and quality indices in sandy [...] Read more.

The most important biotic stress factor impacting tomato crop biophysical, biochemical, physiological, and morphological features is water stress. A pot experiment was undertaken in a greenhouse to study the drought responsiveness of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and quality indices in sandy loam and silty loam soils. For both sandy loam and silty loam soils, the water supply levels were 70–100% FC, 60–70% FC, 50–60% FC, and 40–50% FC of ET_o (crop evapotranspiration) from the vegetative stage to the fruit ripening stage, calculated using the Hargreaves–Samani (HS) model compared to the time-domain reflectometer (TDR) values calibrated using volumetric water content (VWC). The experiment was conducted as a 2 × 4 factorial experiment, arranged in a completely randomized block design, with four treatments replicated four times. In this study, we examined how sandy loam and silty loam soils at different % FC affect the total marketable yield and quality components of tomatoes, concentrating on total soluble solids (Brix), fruit firmness, dry fruit mass, pH, titratable acid (TA), ascorbic acid (Vit. C), and carotenoid composition. Lycopene and β-Carotene were estimated using the UV spectroscopy method, with absorption spectra bands centered at 451 nm, 472 nm, 485 nm, and 502 nm. The results revealed that even though there were some limitations, TDR-based soil moisture content values had a strong positive correlation with HS-based evapotranspiration, with R² = 0.8, indicating an improvement whereby TDR can solely be used to estimate soil water content. Tomato plants subjected to 40–50% FC (ET_o) water stress in both sandy loam and silty loam soils recorded the highest total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, and β-carotene content at an absorption peak of 482 nm, and lycopene content at an absorption peak of 472 nm, with lower fruit firmness, fruit juice content, and fruit juice pH, and a reduced marketable yield. Similarly, tomato plants subjected to 60–70% FC throughout the growing season achieved good fruit firmness, percent juice content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, and chlorophyll content (SPAD), with minimum fruit juice pH and high marketable yield in both soil textural types. It is concluded that subjecting tomato plants to 60–70% FC (ET_o) has a constructive impact on the marketable yield quality indices of tomatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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16 pages, 2923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Effects of Regulated Deficit Irrigation under Mulched on Yield and Quality of Pumpkin in a Cold and Arid Climate

by Xuan Li, Hengjia Zhang, Fuqiang Li, Haoliang Deng, Zeyi Wang and Xietian Chen

Water 2022, 14(10), 1563; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14101563 - 12 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1657

Abstract

As the most effective irrigation method in arid and semi-arid regions, drip irrigation under mulch could general comprehension of the production efficiency of agricultural irrigation water, and reduce agriculture consumption of water resources. The paper has carried out an investigation over a two [...] Read more.

As the most effective irrigation method in arid and semi-arid regions, drip irrigation under mulch could general comprehension of the production efficiency of agricultural irrigation water, and reduce agriculture consumption of water resources. The paper has carried out an investigation over a two year period (2020–2021) in a semi-arid climate in the Hexi Oasis region of China, aiming at determining the influence of regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) under mulch on the growth, yield, water use efficiency (WUE), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) and quality of pumpkin at different growth stages. A total of nine treatments with three irrigation levels (75–85% field capacity, 65–75% field capacity, and 55–65% field capacity) have been used in four growing periods of pumpkin (seedling, vine extension, fruit expansion, and maturation stages). The results have shown that light water deficit treatment at the seedling stage had the highest water use efficiency (12.47 kg/m³) without significantly affecting yield (45,966.90 kg/ha), and improved pumpkin fruit quality. It was concluded that light water deficit at the seedling stage and adequate irrigation at other development stages was the optimal irrigation strategy for pumpkin growth. The results of this research provide theoretical and technical support for efficient water-saving plantation and industrialization of pumpkin in the Hexi Oasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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Review

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18 pages, 2511 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Review on Drip Irrigation: Impact on Crop Yield, Quality, and Water Productivity in China

by Pei Yang, Lifeng Wu, Minghui Cheng, Junliang Fan, Sien Li, Haidong Wang and Long Qian

Water 2023, 15(9), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15091733 - 30 Apr 2023

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 18326

Abstract

The scarcity of freshwater resources is a global concern that is exacerbated by an increasing global population and climate change induced by global warming. To address this issue, the largest water-consuming sector has taken a series of measures termed as drip irrigation schemes. [...] Read more.

The scarcity of freshwater resources is a global concern that is exacerbated by an increasing global population and climate change induced by global warming. To address this issue, the largest water-consuming sector has taken a series of measures termed as drip irrigation schemes. The primary purposes of drip irrigation are to reduce water scarcity near the root zone, reduce evaporation, and decrease water use. The application scope of drip irrigation is getting wider and wider, with the number of papers related to drip irrigation increasing year by year from 1990 to 2022. This study reviews crops planted in China that had been irrigated by drip irrigation equipment. The effects of drip irrigation technology on crop growth, physiology, quality, yield, and water use efficiency are summarized. This paper also provides an overview of drip irrigation technology on crop root development and nitrogen uptake. Through a global meta-analysis, it is found that in the case of water shortage, drip irrigation can save water and ensure crop yield compared to flooding irrigation, border irrigation, furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and micro-sprinkler irrigation. When the drip irrigation amount is more (100–120%), drip irrigation significantly increases crop yields by 28.92%, 14.55%, 8.03%, 2.32%, and 5.17% relative to flooding irrigation, border irrigation, furrow irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, and micro-sprinkler irrigation, respectively. When water resources are sufficient, increasing the amount of drip irrigation also improves crop yield. Moreover, the researchers found that drip irrigation can reduce fertilizer leaching and soil salinity. However, more studies should be conducted in the future to enrich the research on drip irrigation. In conclusion, drip irrigation technology is effective in improving crop growth, water use efficiency, and reducing water scarcity while decreasing fertilizer leaching and soil salinity, making it an ideal solution to the issue of freshwater resource scarcity globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insight into Drip Irrigation)

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