Improving the Water-Use Efficiency and the Agricultural Productivity: An Application Case in a Modernized Semiarid Region in North-Central Mexico

Abstract

The increasing population demands a greater quantity of food. In order to satisfy the world’s demand, one of the main challenges worldwide consists of modernizing the current irrigation systems. This research shows an experience carried out in a modernized irrigation module in Central-North Mexico following these objectives: to evaluate the impact of the modernization of the irrigation module, to analyze the agricultural productivity, and to assess a group of parameters related with the agricultural production (system conduction and distribution efficiencies, water productivity, among others) and the water volumes after and before the modernization. After a drought period, a methodology was performed in commercial parcels in 2013 to increase the yield of different crops. Some of the activities were: soil leveling, estimation of the soil properties (field capacity, wilting point, bulk density, pH, and organic matter), optimum fertilization applications, use of a model to scheduling irrigation, measure volumes extracted at the parcel level. With the modernization and the method used, around 1800 and 2000 m³ ha–1 were saved with respect to the initial granted volume by the Comisión Nacional del Agua and increase in the global efficiency was also achieved (from 55% to 85%). All crop yields increased, i.e., for corn from 2.5 kg/m³ to 3.8 kg/m³. The impact of modernization accompanied with an effective operation allowed a significant increase of the crop yield and water productivity. Despite a controlled distribution of water being carried out, future research should contemplate free water demand scenarios and automation irrigation for improving the module operation.

Determination of Soil Physical Properties and Pre-Sowing Irrigation Depth from Electrical Resistivity, Moisture, and Salinity Measurements

“…Agricultural activity consumes 70% of the water withdrawn in the world and it is expected that competition for water resources in this area will increase soon [1]. The use of water-optimizing irrigation techniques is essential to achieve sustainable agriculture, especially in arid and semiarid regions [2].…”

Mechanism Study on the Impact of China Population Structure Change on the Water Use of the Three Main Industries

“…As the main body of economic and social development, the demographic factor is the fundamental factor driving changes in water consumption, and there is a high degree of consistency between total water consumption and per capita water consumption (Figure 1). At present, water resources have become the main indicator to measure the regional population carrying capacity [1]. With the change of China's population structure, a comprehensive study of the relationship between the change of population structure and water consumption will be conducive to exercising the green development concept of harmony between people and water, as well as the ecological civilization construction, and also help to further promote economic and social sustainable development.…”

“…Meanwhile, micro-level studies have been conducted based on the above theory; Hu Zhen et al argue that the impact of household size on water consumption showed an inverted "N" trend, and in the age structure of population, the order of influence degree of water consumption was middle-aged > minors > the elderly > young adults [25]. Tong Yufen and Li Zheng [1] further analyzed water consumption according to the income level of residents. Simultaneously, some scholars also analyzed the impact of population structure on water consumption at micro-levels, such as the urban and rural population ratio, diet structure, education level, and Engel coefficient [26][27][28].…”

Recognition of Maize Phenology in Sentinel Images with Machine Learning

“…The modernization of hydro-agricultural infrastructure and the application of more efficient irrigation systems are actions that are being applied in several countries of the world to increase irrigation efficiency and improve water management. González-Trinidad et al [ 2 ] evaluated water efficiency and agricultural productivity in a modernized semi-arid region in central-north Mexico. Their results indicated a 30% increase in global efficiency and higher yields in all crops.…”

“…Model trained with 86 characteristics to classify five phenological stages 2. model trained with 45 characteristics to classify five phenological stages.…”