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Build soil to be more resistant to crusting and drought by increasing organic matter contents, aggregation and rooting volume. Use water conservatively: consider deficit irrigation scheduling. Monitor soil, plants and the weather to precisely estimate irrigation needs. Use precise water application rates; do not over-irrigate.
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- Gallons of water per pound
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Jan 8, 2020 · This can both reduce the water needed from irrigation systems and provide other benefits — like reduced erosion and consistent soil temperature. The use of mulch can also be a critical component of regenerative ag practices that help farmers restore degraded farmland and improve crop yields.
- Making irrigation more efficient. To reduce the amount of water that is used in agriculture, irrigation must be made as efficient as possible. Existing irrigation systems must be efficient and contain no leaks that would contribute to water wasting.
- Supporting healthy soil. Healthy soil contains important structures that retain water much more efficiently than depleted and heavily tilled soil. Healthy soil has a structure to it that soaks up water and retains it much more effectively than degraded soil does.
- Applying permaculture farming methods. Many permaculture farming methods, such as swales built on contour, inherently retain water in the landscape, reduce (or even eliminate) the need for supplemental watering of crops, and help to restore aquifers.
- Growing more water efficient crops according to regional climate. Many of the commonly traded agricultural crops grown today are grown in large plots of monocultures and require large amounts of water to produce them.
- Drip Irrigation. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to a plant’s roots, reducing the evaporation that happens with spray watering systems.
- Capturing and Storing Water. Many farms rely on municipal water or wells (groundwater), while some have built their own ponds to capture and store rainfall for use throughout the year.
- Irrigation Scheduling. Smart water management is not just about how water is delivered but also when, how often, and how much. To avoid under- or overwatering their crops, farmers carefully monitor the weather forecast, as well as soil and plant moisture, and adapt their irrigation schedule to the current conditions.
- Drought-Tolerant Crops. Growing crops that are appropriate to the region’s climate is another way that farmers are getting more crop per drop. Crop species that are native to arid regions are naturally drought-tolerant, while other crop varieties have been selected over time for their low water needs.
Nov 18, 2023 · There are a number of other practices that can help mitigate the off-site effects of soil erosion but do little to build soil health. Filter strips remove sediment and nutrients before runoff water enters ditches and streams (Figure 14.9).
Nov 25, 2022 · We show how soil health management could (1) optimize green water availability (e.g., by increasing infiltration and soil water storage), (2) maximize productive water flows (e.g., by reducing evaporation and supporting crop growth), and (3) reduce blue water withdrawals (e.g., by minimizing the impacts of water stress on crop productivity).
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Aug 7, 2024 · Sustainable water management in the agricultural sector involves the implementation of various techniques and practices to enhance water utilization efficiency, mitigate wastage, and minimize adverse effects on the environment (Irfeey et al. 2023).
