Is Partial Root-Zone Drying More Appropriate than Drip Irrigation to Save Water in China? A Preliminary Comparative Analysis for Potato Cultivation

Abstract

China is the largest worldwide potato producer where around half of the crops is planted in the semi-arid region frequently affected by water restriction. While innovative methods are needed for water-saving irrigation methods, the use of low-cost and environmental-friendly technology must be prioritised. In this study, potato production under drip irrigation (DI, commonly adopted to save water) was compared with partial root-zone drying furrow irrigation (PRD) using the same water volume per irrigation, in both methods. Two initiation timings (early and late) were tested under

Requirements and Effects of Surface Drip Irrigation of Mid-Early Potato Cultivar Courage on a Very Light Soil in Central Poland

“…According to Nikolaou, et al [24] pressurized irrigation systems and appropriate irrigation schedules can increase water productivity (i.e., product yield per unit volume of water consumed by the crop) and reduce the evaporative or system loss of water as opposed to traditional surface irrigation methods. A number of other studies also confirm that D + F is an effective method in increasing the efficiency of water use and potato yields [7,12,13,[27][28][29][30]47]. According to Guoju, et al [23], improving water efficiency is a key factor for the continued increase in crop productivity in arid and semi-arid regions.…”

“…Supply of water and nitrogen in potato growing systems is an important factor for controlling production levels, especially in arid and semi-arid regions characterized by large irrigation requirements. Drip irrigation in combination with mineral drip fertigation is an effective method for increasing the efficiency of water use and potato yields [7,12,13,16,17,[27][28][29][30]. This method of nutrient supply is more efficient compared to traditional solid fertilizer application due to the optimal nutrient concentration and high root density in the wet zone of the soil [12,13,31].…”

Adoption of potato varieties and their role for climate change adaptation in India

“…Improved varieties with resistances and tolerances to abiotic and biotic stresses, however, only present one adaptation strategy among others. Other farming practices, such as drip irrigation or partial root-zone drying allow for higher water-use efficiency ( Yactayo et al, 2013 , Qin et al, 2018 ); integrated pest management allows for reducing pesticide applications in dealing with, for instance, late blight ( Forbes and Landeo, 2006 ). A better understanding of what combination of adaptation strategies work under which conditions, would be an interesting avenue of future research.…”

Water–Energy–Food Nexus and Life Cycle Thinking: A New Approach to Environmental and Nutritional Assessment of Potato Chips

“…In this context, the application of drip irrigation presents a great opportunity to decrease the water footprint of the system, always guaranteeing the necessary water supply. Drip irrigation is the recommended irrigation strategy in Mediterranean areas for potato production [ 52 ], and it could reduce the amount of water by 30% to 60% (compared to conventional irrigation), in addition to decreasing soil moisture evaporation and preventing weed growth by supplying water mainly to the root zone [ 53 ].…”

“…In view of these results, it is evident that a higher efficiency of drip irrigation would avoid larger burdens. However, this depends on different factors, such as soil properties, salinity levels of irrigation water, or the climate of the area of cultivation [ 53 ]; hence, the expected yield cannot be known with certainty with the data available in this study. This improvement opportunity includes engaging and influencing farmers to improve agricultural practices to reduce the environmental impacts of their agriculture activities.…”