Winter wheat with subsurface drip irrigation (SDI): Crop coefficients, water-use estimates, and effects of SDI on grain yield and water use efficiency

Groundwater plays a major role in agro-hydrological processes in the North China Plain (NCP). The NCP is facing a water deficit, due to a rapid decline in the water table because of the double cropping system. A two crop (maize and wheat) rotation is required to balance the food supply and demand, which leads to an imbalance between evapotranspiration (ET) and precipitation. Thus, there has been a decline of about 1.35 m yr−1 of groundwater (Luancheng Agroecosystem Experimental Station (LAES), NCP) during the last 10 years. Lysimeter experiments were conducted under different irrigation treatments (flood, surface drip, and subsurface drip) to account for ET in the selection of a suitable irrigation method. Subsurface drip irrigation reduced ET by 26% compared to flood irrigation, and 15% compared to surface drip irrigation, with significant grain yield and biomass formation due to decreased evaporation losses. Grain yield, yield components, and above ground biomass were similar in subsurface drip and flood irrigation. However, these biomass parameters were lower with surface drip irrigation. Furthermore, subsurface drip irrigation increased the crop water productivity (24.95%) and irrigation water productivity (19.59%) compared to flood irrigation. The subsurface irrigated plants showed an increase in net photosynthesis (~10%), higher intrinsic water use efficiency (~36%), lower transpiration rate (~22%), and saved 80 mm of water compared to flood irrigation. Our findings indicate that subsurface drip irrigation can be adopted in the NCP to increase water use efficiency, optimize grain yield, and minimize water loss in order to address scarcity.

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Evaluation of Corn Grain Yield and Water Use Efficiency Using Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Journal of Sustainable Agriculture ◽

10.1300/j064v30n01_10 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 153-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

R. G. Pablo ◽

M. K. O'Neill ◽

B. D. McCaslin ◽

M. D. Remmenga ◽

J. G. Keenan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Grain Yield ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Subsurface Drip ◽

Corn Grain ◽

Corn Grain Yield

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Effect of New Irrigation Technology on the Physiology and Water Use Efficiency of Potato by Reclaimed Water Irrigation

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.726-731.3035 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 726-731 ◽

pp. 3035-3039 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xue Bin Qi ◽

Zong Dong Huang ◽

Dong Mei Qiao ◽

Ping Li ◽

Zhi Juan Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Drip Irrigation ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Root Zone ◽

Subsurface Drip Irrigation ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Root Weight ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Subsurface Drip

Agriculture is a big consumer of fresh water in competition with other sectors of the society. The agricultural sector continues to have a negative impact on the ecological status of the environment. The worlds interest in high quality food is increasing. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of subsurface drip irrigation on physiological responses, yield and water use efficiency, Soil nitrogen, Root weight density of potato in the semi-humid region of middle China using subsurface drip irrigation. The experiment used second-stage treated wastewater with and without addition of chloride, and both subsurface drip and furrow irrigations were investigated. Results indicated that the alternate partial root-zone irrigation is a practicable water-saving strategy for potato. The drip with chlorinated and non-chlorinated water improved water use efficiency by 21.48% and 39.1%, respectively, and 44.1% in the furrow irrigation. Partial root zone drying irrigation stimulates potato root growth and enhances root density. The content of the heavy metal in the potato tubers is no more than the National Food Requirements, and it is consistent with National Food Hygiene Stands.

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