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Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Soil and Water".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 26011

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Yousef Alhaj Hamoud

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Guest Editor

College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Interests: soil; plant and water relations; plant abiotic stress; plant physiology; crop yield and quality; irrigation and water use; heavy metals; chemigation; fertigation and salinization of soil
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Hiba Shaghaleh

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Guest Editor

College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Interests: soil and water remediation; soil pollution; biopolymers; nanomaterials; hydrogel applications in agriculture and food; fertilizers; crop and food quality; environmental safety
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tingting Chang

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Guest Editor

College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
Interests: soil health and quality; soil remediation; land cover crops; manure/organic fertilizer/poultry litter; soil and water conservation; irrigation; drainage; soil amendment; crop production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Fei Gao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant

College of Water Resources and Architectural Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China
Interests: irrigation management; agricultural water management; remote sensing; hydrological process; joint regulation and simulation of surface water resources and groundwater water resources

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural production is challenged by water scarcity and food security due to the uprising problems of climate change and environmental pollution. Therefore, it is essential to increase agricultural production under varying climate conditions. Thus, adopting agricultural production systems to variations in agro-ecological conditions is of increasing interest. Irrigation is described by the quantity of water required to supply the soil for a crop. However, due to recent limitations on freshwater resources, crop production systems need to implement innovative irrigation tactics to decrease water consumption without reducing the yield, enhancing crops' water productivity. Therefore, understanding the water productivity responses of the crop to the varying agro-ecological conditions is critical to identify the appropriate water submission for crop production. Thus, recent research has shed light on improving the water productivity of crops under various irrigation systems. However, the water productivity responses of the crops cultivated under different agro-ecological conditions are not well understood. Therefore, to improve crop production, crops' water productivity and yield level should be precisely evaluated, paying much attention to crop irrigation techniques at the greenhouse level and open field experimentation.

Several irrigation methods are used to water numerous crops. The irrigation method extends from simple hand watering systems to huge ﬂood and furrow irrigation systems, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. However, irrigation can be successful with good design and operative management, determined by the rate, number, and intervals of water applications to crops. The irrigation method also depends on the soil, crop types, physical and hydrological location conditions, available water, and management skills. However, the amount of water loss from irrigation is determined by the irrigation method at which water management options regulate the uniformity of water supply to provide the essential moisture for normal plant growth. Therefore, the water supply method to provide optimal soil water conditions for desirable crop growth and marketable yields is of great interest. This involves that irrigation is the main factor in water resources management, and the amount of water proposed to be applied in irrigation depends on the type of crop, agro-hydrological conditions, and the amount of rainfall in the region. In summary, improved irrigation management practices should effectively reduce water use, including more precise water management options. Therefore, it is required to improve agro-ecological quality and water productivity in crop production with the help of accurate water control, focusing on irrigation practices that decrease water consumption without a significant reduction in crop yield.

This Special Issue will deal with the " Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production." We invite researchers and experts to contribute with original research, reviews, and opinion pieces covering all topics related to improved irrigation systems in crop production. Authors are welcome to submit articles and reviews on the most important aspects of these improved irrigation systems, including the agro-ecological strategies to improve crop production while reducing water consumption.

Dr. Yousef Alhaj Hamoud
Dr. Hiba Shaghaleh
Dr. Tingting Chang
Guest Editors

Dr. Fei Gao
Guest Editor Assistant

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Keywords

irrigation management
water shortage
crop physiology, yield, and quality
food and nutrition security
water use efficiency
innovative irrigation methods
water regime
crop water requirements
soil water

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Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3156 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modified Surface Drip Irrigation and Hydraulic Barrier Impacts on Soil Moisture and Water Productivity for Tomatoes in a Greenhouse

by Faisal Ibrahim Zeineldin, Khalid G. Biro Turk and Nagat Ahmed Elmulthum

Water 2024, 16(20), 2926; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16202926 - 15 Oct 2024

Viewed by 473

Abstract

Considerable amounts of irrigation water of vegetable crops grown in homogenous sandy soil profiles could be subjected to deep percolation water losses due to inappropriately designed surface or subsurface drip irrigation methods. This study aimed to investigate the combined influence of implementing clay soil layer in homogenous sandy soil profile of low-tech greenhouse ridges and using modified surface drip irrigation (M-DI) on soil moisture distribution and water productivity of tomatoes. In the greenhouse, a 7.5 cm thick clay soil layer was implemented 15 cm from the soil surface of each ridge as a hydraulic barrier. Three irrigation regimes (100%, 70% and 50% of ETo) were imposed with the M-DI on tomato plants and 100%ETo with surface drip irrigation (DI) as control. Regarding economic valuation, viability was preserved for the M-DI and DI methods. The outcome indicated that soil moisture spreads more horizontally than vertically on the sandy soil above the clay soil layer. The combined effect of the homogenous sandy soil profile amendment and full irrigation (100%ETo) with the M-DI irrigation method increased the tomato fruit yield by 64.5%. Furthermore, the combined influence enhanced water productivity by the M-DI to 54.7 kg/m³ compared to 32 kg/m³ by the DI. However, M-DI demonstrated dominance over DI regarding returns, yield, and profit. Economic-wise, the M-DI requires 50% less of the lateral pipelines needed by the DI in low-tech greenhouses. Adopting the M-DI with a hydraulic barrier can improve soil moisture, water productivity, yield, and returns for tomato crops in low-tech greenhouses under sandy soil conditions. Also, the M-DI with the hydraulic clay barriers was an economically viable investment compared to the DI without clay barriers for growing tomatoes in low-tech greenhouses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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21 pages, 7566 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Irrigation and Agricultural Opportunities: Evaluating Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Suitability and Productivity in Lebanon

by Rhend Sleiman, Jocelyne Adjizian Gerard, Salim Fahed, Mladen Todorovic, Mohamed Houssemeddine Sellami, Rossella Albrizio and Marie Therese Abi Saab

Water 2024, 16(13), 1865; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16131865 - 28 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 820

Abstract

Within the prevalent challenges posed by climate change and decreasing resources, this research underscores the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural practices combined with efficient water resource management. Employing comprehensive climate and soil suitability analyses, this research analyzed the capacity of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) to adapt to Lebanon’s heterogeneous environmental landscapes across two distinct growing seasons (autumn and spring). Both climate and edaphic suitability mapping were conducted to study hemp’s suitability. AquaCrop v.7.1 was used to simulate seed yield, biomass production, irrigation needs and yield water productivity in the different agro-homogeneous zones of Lebanon for the two considered seasons. The findings revealed that approximately 30% and 19% of Lebanon’s land exhibit suitability for hemp cultivation during the spring and autumn seasons, respectively. According to AquaCrop model simulations, under the prevailing climatic conditions, the predicted seed yield will range from 3.7 to 5.6 t ha⁻¹ under rainfed conditions and will reach 11.1 t ha⁻¹ for irrigated cultivation. Moreover, employing efficient irrigation techniques during the spring season showed a significant improvement in both yield and biomass of hemp. The enhancement was evident, with notable increases of 112.22% in yield and 96.43% in biomass compared to rainfed conditions. This research highlights the importance of identifying suitable regions within Lebanon capable of supporting hemp cultivation in a sustainable manner. Such research not only promises economic development but also aligns with broader global sustainability objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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16 pages, 3328 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Bioethanol (C₂H₅OH) Yield of Sweet Sorghum Varieties in a Semi-Arid Environment: The Impact of Deheading and Deficit Irrigation

by Mohammed A. Alsanad and Eman I. R. Emara

Water 2024, 16(10), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101456 - 20 May 2024

Viewed by 962

Abstract

Bioethanol production offers promise in mitigating environmental impacts from ethanol consumption despite water scarcity. This study endeavors to evaluate the nuanced influence of different deheading times (45 days before harvest, 21 days before harvest, and no deheading) along with varying water regimes on select sweet sorghum cultivars (Honey, Willy, MN1500, and Atlas), focusing on yield traits, theoretical ethanol production, and water productivity. Findings underscore the substantial impact of cultivation practices on bioethanol yield. A water deficit ranging from 30% to 70% resulted in a discernible reduction in stalk yields of 17.86% to 18.54% and in sugar yields of 0.2 to 0.31 Mg ha⁻¹, accompanied by a corresponding decline in theoretical ethanol yield of 120.9 to 180.9 L ha⁻¹. Additionally, notable enhancements in Brix and sugar content of 16.32% to 18.42% and 16.81% to 19.03%, respectively, were observed across both seasons. Of particular significance, the Honey variety, subjected to a 30% water deficit and deheading at 21 days before harvest, demonstrated exceptional growth and yield characteristics. These empirical insights furnish valuable guidance for optimizing sweet sorghum cultivation practices, thereby augmenting sustainable bioethanol production and propelling forward the frontier of renewable energy technologies towards a more environmentally sustainable future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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28 pages, 2826 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Irrigation Distribution Network Design Parameters and Their Influence on Sustainability Management

by Melvin Alfonso Garcia-Espinal, Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, Francisco-Javier Sánchez-Romero and P. Amparo López-Jiménez

Water 2024, 16(8), 1131; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16081131 - 16 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

In 2030, the world population will exceed 8.5 billion, increasing the challenges to satisfy basic needs for food, shelter, water, and/or energy. Irrigation plays a vital role in productive and sustainable agriculture. In the current context, it is determined not only by water availability but also by optimal management. Several authors have attempted to measure the performance of irrigation networks through various approaches in terms of technical indicators. To improve the sustainability in the pipe sizing of the pressurised irrigation networks, 25 different models were evaluated to discuss the advantages and disadvantages to consider in future methodologies to size water systems, which guarantee the network operation but contribute to improving the sustainability. They enable water managers to use them as tools to reduce a complex evaluation of the performance of a system, and focusing on better management of resources and sustainability indicators for agricultural ecosystems are clear and objective values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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18 pages, 7267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Major Ion Chemistry of Waters and Possible Controls under Winter Irrigation in the Saline Land of Arid Regions

by Xiaoping Zhou, Xinyu Zhao, Qing Zhang and Honghui Sang

Water 2023, 15(22), 3968; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15223968 - 15 Nov 2023

Viewed by 1146

Abstract

To reduce downstream ecological damage, it is crucial to analyze water and salt sources in saline–alkali farmland drainage and optimize soil salt discharge. This study employs statistical, hydrochemical, and isotope methods to identify controlling factors and characteristics in water bodies during winter irrigation. The results show average TDS values of 0.59, 6.40, and 4.14 g/L for irrigation, phreatic, and drainage water. Irrigation and phreatic water mainly belong to the HCO₃-Ca·Mg·Na and Cl·SO₄-Na·Mg types. Na⁺/(Na⁺ + Ca²⁺) and Cl⁻/(Cl⁻ + HCO₃⁻) values suggest the rock–water interaction and evaporation influences in irrigation water, while evaporation primarily controls phreatic water. The main salt types include NaCl, MgSO₄, Na₂CO₃, and CaCO₃ for irrigation water and NaCl, MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, and CaCO₃ for phreatic water. These findings lay a research basis for analyzing water and salt sources in farmland drainage during winter irrigation in saline–alkali land. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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15 pages, 20734 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Key Hydraulic Structure Parameters of a New Type of Water–Pesticide Integrated Sprinkler Based on Response Surface Experiment

by Junping Liu, Xinjian Wang, Qingsong Liu, Zawar Hussain and Yuxia Zhao

Water 2023, 15(8), 1486; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15081486 - 11 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1524

Abstract

To meet the requirements of trellis grape crop root irrigation, spraying pesticides on branches and leaves, an integrated sprinkler was designed, which relies on the flow pressure to change the irrigation water and spray pesticide working modes. The structural parameters that affect the hydraulic performance were selected based on the working principle of the sprinkler. The key parameters for the irrigation mode included diversion hole inclination angle, refractive cone angle, refractive cone length, and cone hole distance. The key parameters for the spray pesticide mode included diversion chute width, the number of diversion chutes, the diversion chute inclination angle, the rotary acceleration chamber height, and the nozzle outlet cylindrical section length. The central composite design response surface tests of the water–pesticide integrated sprinkler were carried out; the analysis of variance and regression analysis were selected; the main influence rules and interactions of key structural parameters on irrigation performance and pesticide spraying performance of sprinkler irrigation system were obtained. The optimal parameters of the water–pesticide integrated sprinkler were: the diversion hole inclination angle is 20.8°, the refractive cone angle is 123.7°, the refractive cone length is 8.8 mm, the cone hole distance is 3.6 mm, the diversion chute width is 2.5 mm, the number of diversion chutes is 2, the diversion chute inclination angle is 10°, the rotary acceleration chamber height is 1.3 mm, and the nozzle outlet cylindrical section length is 0.7 mm. The irrigation hydraulic performance of the wetted radius is 3.4 m, the average irrigation application rate is 0.65 mm/h, and the uniformity coefficient is 88%. The spraying pesticide performance of the droplet volume mid-diameter is 200.2 μm, the droplet spectrum width is 2.2, and the droplet coverage is 9.4%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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21 pages, 2886 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unraveling the Influence of Water and Nitrogen Management on Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Agronomic and Yield Traits

by Mostafa AbdElaal Sayed AbdElgalil, Mohamed Hefzy, Lidia Sas-Paszt, Hayssam M. Ali, Sobhi F. Lamlom and Ahmed M. Abdelghany

Water 2023, 15(7), 1296; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15071296 - 25 Mar 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2028

Abstract

Effective management is crucial to achieve the high yield potential of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), renowned for its resilience in harsh environments, to meet the rising global demand. The present study examines how varying levels of water and nitrogen affect the agronomic and yield traits of quinoa (cv. Q-36) during the two growing seasons of 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. The experiment was a 3 × 4 factorial laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications per treatment during the two seasons of the study, as water regimes were considered the main factor, including 100%, 80%, and 60% ETc, whereas nitrogen levels were considered the sub-plot factor, comprising four levels (75, 150, 225, and 300 kgN ha⁻¹). The analysis of variance indicated that nitrogen level, irrigation regime, and irrigation regime × nitrogen level had highly significant effects (p < 0.001) on all studied traits, including plant height, panicle length, dry weight, seed weight, seed yield, and total yield in the two growing seasons under study. For all traits of study, the combined application of 100% ETc with 300 kgN, followed by 80% ETc with 225 kgN, resulted in the highest value of plant height, panicle length, dry weight, seed weight, seed yield, and total yield, whereas the combination of 60% ETc and 75 kgN applications resulted in the lowest value for all of the aforementioned traits. Furthermore, the water regime impacted water productivity at all nitrogen levels as the highest productivity level was recorded under the 80% ETc (0.58 kg/m³), followed by the 100% ETc (0.54 kg/m³), and the 60% ETc (0.52 kg/m³). The highest water productivity rate was observed at 300 kg/ha of the nitrogen levels for 60% and 80% ETc regimes, where water productivity levels were 0.73 and 0.71 (kg/m³), respectively. The results also indicate that the water productivity of quinoa plants is noticeably affected by both water regime and nitrogen level; as the water regimes decrease from 100% to 60% ETc, water productivity increases for all nitrogen levels. The information obtained from these results can be applied to optimize the methods for cultivating quinoa under conditions of water scarcity and minimal nitrogen availability, thus gaining an insight into the impact of these conditions on quinoa growth and yield. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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14 pages, 1537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Employing Data Mining Algorithms and Mathematical Empirical Models for Predicting Wind Drift and Evaporation Losses of a Sprinkler Irrigation Method

by Naji Mordi Naji Al-Dosary, Samy A. Maray, Saad A. Al-Hamed and Abdulwahed M. Aboukarima

Water 2023, 15(5), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050922 - 27 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2180

Abstract

The advantage of a sprinkler irrigation method is that it saves up to 50% of water consumption during the application of water, as compared to any other surface irrigation system. To assess the behavior of a sprinkler irrigation method, wind drift and evaporation losses (WDEL) are often employed as important parameters. The predictive capacities of four previous mathematical empirical models and two data mining algorithms, namely, reduced-error pruning tree (REPTree) and artificial neural network (ANN) models, were employed to evaluate the impact of the operating parameters of a sprinkler irrigation method on WDEL. The inputs to the REPTree and ANN models were the working pressure, vapor pressure deficit, air temperature, wind speed, nozzle diameter, and air relative humidity. In the experimental field, for data collection, a solid set of sprinklers and collectors positioned per ASAE standards was employed. Promising results showed remarkable performance for one of the mathematical empirical models tested, with a confidence index value of 0.829. Meanwhile, the REPTree and ANN models presented smaller errors for testing data set and are qualified for use given their confidence index values of 0.956 and 0.964, respectively. The REPTree and ANN algorithms were classified as optimal models, indicating that the use of mathematical experimental models alone is inadequate in operational situations involving the nozzle diameter, working pressure, and other variables. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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13 pages, 1387 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chinese Violet Cress (Orychophragmusviolaceus L.) Yield and Nitrogen Balance in Response to Coupling Effects of Water–Nitrogen Application—A Case Study Using ¹⁵N Tracing Technique

by Qiu Jin, Jian Tong, Yutian Yao, Chao Chen, Fan Wang, Hao Peng, Junjian You, Hiba Shaghaleh and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud

Water 2023, 15(5), 904; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15050904 - 26 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

The accurate and efficient management of water and nitrogen is of significance for the intensive production of field-cultivated flowers. To investigate the effects of different irrigation and nitrogen application modes on the growth, development, and nitrogen use of Orychophragmus violaceus, three nitrogen application doses of 120, 160, and 200 kg/ha and three irrigation treatments of 50 + 30 mm (overwintering water and regreening water), 75 + 45 mm, and 100 + 60 mm were implemented. The ¹⁵N isotope tracing technique was used to investigate the fertilizer nitrogen use, soil nitrogen residue, and nitrogen balance of Orychophragmus violaceus, and the entropy weight coefficient evaluation model was employed to optimize the water and nitrogen strategy. Results showed that after the application of water and nitrogen, the fresh yield of Orychophragmus violaceus increased by 21.4–49.3%, W2N3 possessed the most obvious effect on promoting yield increase, and the fresh yield reached 31.1 t/ha. The highest plant nitrogen use efficiency (39.1%) was detected in W2N2, but no significant (p > 0.05) difference of nitrogen use efficiency was found between W2N2 andW3N2. After the peak flowering period, 23.8–39.1% of the fertilizer nitrogen was absorbed by the plants, 44.3–59.2% remained in the soil, and 13.7–21.6% was lost via deep seepage, a gaseous state, or other unknown ways. A higher application amount of water or nitrogen increased the risk of nitrogen loss. Among the treatments, W2N2 treatment has the highest entropy weight coefficient evaluation value of 0.905, indicating that W2N2 was the water–nitrogen coupling mode with optimal comprehensive benefits. It was recommended that 75 mm of overwintering water and 45 mm of regreening water combined with a 160 kg/ha nitrogen application amount is the suitable water and nitrogen regulation scheme for Orychophragmus violaceus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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Review

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23 pages, 3130 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring the Integration of Rice and Aquatic Species: Insights from Global and National Experiences

by Lubna A. Ibrahim, Hiba Shaghaleh, Mohamed Abu-Hashim, Elsayed Ahmed Elsadek and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud

Water 2023, 15(15), 2750; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15152750 - 29 Jul 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3408

Abstract

The objective of this article is to review the historical development of rice–aquatic species (RASp) integration and analyze the factors that affect its performance. Compared to rice monoculture, the integration of the rice–aquatic species system has a more significant impact on farm production, income, land (L), water use efficiency (WUE), net revenue, and labor use efficiency (LBUE) reduction. Although concurrent and alternate cultivations of rice–aquatic species increase unit water efficiency, concurrent cultivation requires 26% more water than monoculture. Furthermore, RASp farming promotes environmentally-friendly rice cultivation by reducing the use of pesticides (insecticides and herbicides), decreasing CH₄ emissions by approximately 14.8–22.1%, and enhancing water quality. These findings suggest that fish integration in rice fields could be integrated into extensive aquaculture. Finally, global cooperation is necessary to transfer knowledge about this technology, particularly from China, and more research is needed to evaluate the effects of rice–aquatic species integration in the context of climate change and practical water use efficiency. Additionally, a robust development program at the national and global levels, with regulatory and non-administrative bodies’ guidance and strategy, is needed to embrace the expansion of the rice–aquatic species practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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21 pages, 1334 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review of the Multiple Uses of Water in Aquaculture-Integrated Agriculture Based on International and National Experiences

by Lubna A. Ibrahim, Mohamed Abu-Hashim, Hiba Shaghaleh, Elsayed Elsadek, Amar Ali Adam Hamad and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud

Water 2023, 15(2), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020367 - 16 Jan 2023

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 7916

Abstract

Multiple uses of water aquaculture-integrated agriculture systems (AIAS) are inevitable to produce more food per drop of water to address water shortage, food insecurity, and climate change. This survey intends to outline the multiple-use water in pond-based AIAS in light of legal regulations and water salinity. Scenarios for pond-based AIA and their impact on the environment were presented and discussed. Pond-based AIA has been demonstrated to have many social, economic, and environmental benefits. Moreover, international and national experiences and attempts for genuine applications were exhibited. Throughout, pond-based AIA farming practices are seen as a proficient utilization of water that aids food sustainability. It was concluded that pond-based AIA could aid in increasing productivity, income for food producers and soil fertility, ecosystem maintenance, and adaptation to environmental change. AIAS helps adapt to and mitigate climate change by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, reducing pressure on water resources, and recycling nutrients. Finally, developing and promoting the expansion of rotation of wheat-fish and pond-based AIA in the desert and encouraging global collaboration for information and knowledge transfer among different countries were discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production)

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