Salinisation in irrigated agriculture in Pakistan: mistaken predictions

Water Policy ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Kijne
Keyword(s):  
Soil Profile ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Salt Accumulation ◽  
Leaching Fraction ◽  
Measurable Field ◽  
Insufficient Knowledge

This paper revisits data and information that was collected through field studies by the International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI) in Pakistan in the early 1990s. Analysis of available data led in 1996 to the publication of an IIMI research report (Kijne, 1996) whose main conclusion was that current cropping intensities and groundwater usage in Pakistan's irrigated agriculture were not sustainable. Ten years on there is no evidence that this prediction came true and the paper questions why those predictions were wrong. Based on more recent field data and information, the water and salt balances for one of the experimental sites are recalculated. Reasons for the mistaken predictions include: lack of understanding of farmers' reactions to signs of salinity in their fields, insufficient knowledge of the actual groundwater usage and underestimating the leaching fractions. The difficulty in accurately determining the actual leaching fraction from easily measurable field parameters affects the prediction of salt accumulation in the soil. The conclusion that current practices are all right is conditional on maintaining sufficient downward fluxes in the soil profile. The paper ends with some general reflections on predictions for the future.

Use of geographic information systems and remote sensing as automated tool for variable rate irrigation prescriptions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Anh Thi Tuan Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Variable Rate ◽  
Water Application ◽  
Center Pivot

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Economic as well as water shortage pressure on agricultural use of water has placed added emphasis on efficient irrigation management. Center pivot technology has made great improvement with variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology to vary water application spatially and temporally to maximize the economic and environmental return. Proper management of VRI systems depends on correctly matching the pivot application to specific field temporal and areal conditions. There is need for a tool to accurately and inexpensively define dynamic management zones, to sense within-field variability in real time, and control variable rate water application so that producers are more willing to adopt and utilize the advantages of VRI systems. This study included tests of the center pivot system uniformity performance in 2014 at Delta Research Center in Portageville, MO. The goal of this research was to develop MOPivot software with an algorithm to determine unique management areas under center pivot systems based on system design and limitations. The MOPivot tool automates prescriptions for VRI center pivot based on non-uniform water needs while avoiding potential runoff and deep percolation. The software was validated for use in real-time irrigation management in 2018 for VRI control system of a Valley 8000 center pivot planted to corn. The water balance model was used to manage irrigation scheduling. Field data, together with soil moisture sensor measurement of soil water content, were used to develop the regression model of remote sensing-based crop coefficient (Kc). Remote sensing vegetation index in conjunction with GDD and crop growth stages in regression models showed high correlation with Kc. Validation of those regression models was done using Centralia, MO, field data in 2016. The MOPivot successfully created prescriptions to match system capacity of the management zone based on system limitations for center pivot management. Along with GIS data sources, MOPivot effectively provides readily available graphical prescription maps, which can be edited and directly uploaded to a center pivot control panel. The modeled Kc compared well with FAO Kc. By combining GDD and crop growth in the models, these models would account for local weather conditions and stage of crop during growing season as time index in estimating Kc. These models with Fraction of growth (FrG) and cumulative growing degree days (cGDD) had a higher coefficient of efficiency, higher Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency and higher Willmott index of agreement. Future work should include improvement in the MOPivot software with different crops and aerial remote sensing imagery to generate dynamic prescriptions during the season to support irrigation scheduling for real-time monitoring of field conditions.

scholarly journals Variation in Salinity through the Soil Profile in South Coastal Region of Bangladesh

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23
Author(s):  
Mohammad Asadul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Salt Stress ◽  
Soil Profile ◽  
Ph Value ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Coastal Region ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Salt Accumulation ◽  
Top Soil ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The spatial variability of salt accumulation through the soil profile was studied at Latachapali union of Kalapara upazila, Patuakhali district, Bangladesh. The soil samples were collected from 30 locations covering six villages of the union: Kuakata, Malapara, Fashipara, Khajura, Mothaopara and Tajepara. Five locations were randomly selected from each village. From each location soil samples were collected from three soil depths at 0-2 cm, 2.1-4 cm and 4.1-6 cm. Electrical conductivity of top 0-2 cm soil depth was 20.49 dS/m, in 2.1-4 cm soil depth was 7.14 dS/m and in 4.1-6 cm soil depth 4.15 dS/m. The study soils were strongly acidic having pH value 4.73, 4.99 and 5.20 in 0-2, 2.1-4 and 4.1-6 cm soil depth, respectively. The highest of 8.8 Na:K ratio was found in 0-2 cm soil depth. The Na:K ratio gradually decreased with the increase of soil depth, having 6.59 in 2.1-4 cm and 5.42. in 4.1-6 cm soil depth. The results clearly reveal that the top soil is very much sensitive to salt stress. Based on the electrical conductivity and Na:K ratio the Fashipara, Kuakata and Tajepara village were found seriously affected by salinity.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 42, No. 1, 11-23, 2018

F. E. J. Fry's Field Studies: Good Field Data Provoke New Questions

1990 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 574-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Whillans ◽  
Henry A. Regier ◽  
W. Jack Christie
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Field Studies

Irrigation Management and Water Pricing in Turkey

2012 ◽  
pp. 73-86
Author(s):  
Erol H. Cakmak
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Pricing ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Total Water Consumption ◽  
Water Charges ◽  
Almost All

Irrigated agriculture in Turkey currently consumes 75 percent of the total water consumption, which corresponds to about 30 percent of the renewable water supply. Unfavorable future global climate and economic conditions will increase the stress in the water sector. The operation and maintenance (O&M) of almost all large surface irrigation schemes developed by the state has been transferred to irrigation associations governed by the farmers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of irrigation management practices and an evaluation of irrigation water pricing after the transfer using price data at the association level since 1999. Results indicate that both irrigation water charges and collection rates increased following the transfer. However, the recuperation of investment costs for irrigation development from the users has remained minimal. The price of the irrigation water continued to be on per hectare basis, and farmers using pumping water face 2.5 times higher water charge per hectare then the gravity water users. The uptake of more efficient water application technology accompanied by pricing mechanisms reflecting scarcity value of water will certainly ease the adjustment burden of the irrigation sector in the future.

Irrigation Management and Water Pricing in Turkey

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-26
Author(s):  
Erol H. Cakmak
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Pricing ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Total Water Consumption ◽  
Water Charges ◽  
Almost All

Irrigated agriculture in Turkey currently consumes 75 percent of the total water consumption, which corresponds to about 30 percent of the renewable water supply. Unfavorable future global climate and economic conditions will increase the stress in the water sector. The operation and maintenance (O&M) of almost all large surface irrigation schemes developed by the state has been transferred to irrigation associations governed by the farmers. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of irrigation management practices and an evaluation of irrigation water pricing after the transfer using price data at the association level since 1999. Results indicate that both irrigation water charges and collection rates increased following the transfer. However, the recuperation of investment costs for irrigation development from the users has remained minimal. The price of the irrigation water continued to be on per hectare basis, and farmers using pumping water face 2.5 times higher water charge per hectare then the gravity water users. The uptake of more efficient water application technology accompanied by pricing mechanisms reflecting scarcity value of water will certainly ease the adjustment burden of the irrigation sector in the future.

scholarly journals High Plains Aquifer–State of Affairs of Irrigated Agriculture and Role of Irrigation in the Sustainability Paradigm

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 3714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Ajaz ◽  
Sumon Datta ◽  
Scott Stoodley
Keyword(s):  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Irrigation Scheduling ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Groundwater Depletion ◽  
High Plains ◽  
High Plains Aquifer ◽  
Soil Moisture Sensors ◽  
Pumping Rates ◽  
Subsurface Drip ◽  
State Of Affairs

Groundwater depletion is a serious issue in the southern and central parts of the High Plains Aquifer (HPA), USA. A considerable imbalance exists between the recharge process and groundwater extractions in these areas, which threatens the long-term sustainability of the aquifer. Irrigated agriculture has a major share in the economy, and it requires high pumping rates in regions vulnerable to large groundwater level declines. A literature review has been conducted to understand the state of affairs of irrigated agriculture in the HPA, along with the dynamics of groundwater decline and recharge using statistical and remote-sensing based datasets. Also, three irrigation management and technology-based approaches have been discussed from the perspective of sustainability. The southern and central parts of the HPA consist mostly of non-renewable groundwater formations, and the natural water storage is prone to exhaustion. Moreover, the aforementioned regions have comparatively higher crop water requirement due to the climate, and irrigating crops in these regions puts stringent pressure on the aquifer. The upper threshold of irrigation application efficiency (IAE) is high in the HPA, and could reach up to 95%; however, considerable room for improvement in irrigation water management exists. In general, the practices of irrigation scheduling used in the HPA are conventional and a small proportion of growers use modern methods to decide about irrigation timing. Among numerous ways to promote sustainable groundwater use in the HPA, deficit irrigation, use of soil moisture sensors, and subsurface drip irrigation can be considered as potential ways to attain higher lifespans in susceptible parts of the aquifer.

scholarly journals Sugarcane spatial-temporal monitoring and crop coefficient estimation through NDVI

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 330-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo B. Alface ◽  
Silvio B. Pereira ◽  
Roberto Filgueiras ◽  
Fernando F. Cunha
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Images ◽  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Crop Coefficient ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Sugarcane Crop ◽  
Coefficient Estimation ◽  
Sentinel 2A ◽  
The Relationship

ABSTRACT The use of satellite images as a complement in irrigation management constitutes a primordial basis in the decision-making process for irrigated agriculture. In this context, the present study aimed to monitor through Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) an irrigated sugarcane field belonging to the Mafambisse company, located at the District of Nhamatanda/Sofala, Republic of Mozambique, and establish its relationship with the crop coefficient established by FAO (kcFAO) and fit a regression model to estimate crop coefficient (kc) from the relationship between NDVI and kcFAO. The study was conducted using a series of Sentinel-2A/MSI images, relative to the period from October 2016 to October 2017. Based on the NDVI images generated, it was possible to monitor the sugarcane crop in the field and analyse the sensitivity of the index to its vegetative vigor. A similar pattern was observed between kcFAO profiles and NDVI values, which allowed the adjustment to be performed, demonstrating that this index is an alternative to obtain the crop coefficient.

LEACHING FRACTIONS AND SALT STATUS OF TWO IRRIGATED GYPSUM-RICH SOILS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. CHANG ◽  
S. DUBETZ ◽  
T. G. SOMMERFELDT ◽  
D. C. MacKAY
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Total Soluble Salt ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Leaching Fraction ◽  
Consumptive Water

A method for calculating the fractions of water leached through the profile (leaching factor) in irrigated soils high in gypsum was developed. The method requires data on long-term changes in the salinity status of the soil profile, and is based on the principle that water moving through gypsum-rich soils becomes saturated with gypsum. The average total soluble salt content of two soils to a depth of 180 cm has decreased logarithmically since 1917. The average Ca content has decreased linearly at rates of 0.091 and 0.097 meq∙100 g−1∙yr−1 in a clay and clay loam soil, respectively. A leaching fraction 0.16, as obtained by our method, is similar to that calculated from a water balance procedure. However, the latter method required accurate information on the annual rate of irrigation and precipitation and consumptive water use by the crops grown. The results indicate that irrigation management at the two sites has provided sufficient leaching water to reduce the total soluble salts and to actually improve the suitability of the sites for crop production.

Soil Salinization

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pichu Rengasamy
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Ionic Composition ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Soil Salinization ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Soil Processes ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Salt Accumulation ◽  
Osmotic Effect

Salt accumulation in soils, affecting agricultural productivity, environmental health, and the economy of the community, is a global phenomenon since the decline of ancient Mesopotamian civilization by salinity. The global distribution of salt-affected soils is estimated to be around 830 million hectares extending over all the continents, including Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. The concentration and composition of salts depend on several resources and processes of salt accumulation in soil layers. Major types of soil salinization include groundwater associated salinity, non–groundwater-associated salinity, and irrigation-induced salinity. There are several soil processes which lead to salt build-up in the root zone interfering with the growth and physiological functions of plants. Salts, depending on the ionic composition and concentration, can also affect many soil processes, such as soil water dynamics, soil structural stability, solubility of essential nutrients, and pH and pE of soil water—all indirectly hindering plant growth. The direct effect of salinity includes the osmotic effect affecting water and nutrient uptake and the toxicity or deficiency due to high concentration of certain ions. The plan of action to resolve the problems associated with soil salinization should focus on prevention of salt accumulation, removal of accumulated salts, and adaptation to a saline environment. Successful utilization of salinized soils needs appropriate soil and irrigation management and improvement of plants by breeding and genetic engineering techniques to tolerate different levels of salinity and associated abiotic stress.

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