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Book Quantification of Variable Rate Irrigation Benefits and Spatial Variability in Root Zone Water Holding Capacity

Download or read book Quantification of Variable Rate Irrigation Benefits and Spatial Variability in Root Zone Water Holding Capacity written by Tsz Him Lo and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Variable rate irrigation (VRI) investment decisions require field-specific knowledge of benefits. The objective of this research was to help producers and consultants consider and quantify potential benefits of VRI. First, a conceptual model was developed for evaluating the public and/or private gain from adopting VRI where irrigation water supply is non-restrictive. Potential benefits were classified into three categories and were attributed to ten reasons. In the Central Plains at current prices, a small improvement in corn (maize) yield would make a large contribution to VRI profitability. Second, the potential irrigation withdrawal reduction from adapting VRI to spatial heterogeneity of root zone water holding capacity (R)—one particular benefit of VRI—was estimated for 49,224 center pivot irrigated fields in Nebraska. On each of these fields, the amount of R that is unutilized by conventional irrigation but can be mined annually by VRI was calculated from the statewide gridded Soil Survey Geographic database (gSSURGO). Over 51 mm of potential withdrawal reduction from this application of VRI was found on 2% of the analyzed fields. Third, based on field research, a method of conducting a field characterization of R was recommended for refining estimates of those withdrawal reductions and for informing VRI management. Field capacity (FC) was observationally determined by measuring in-situ soil water content after the wet soil has had time to drain following substantial precipitation, and R was spatially predicted by regression with a densely known auxiliary variable. As compared with FC values computed from gSSURGO and pedotransfer function outputs, FC values computed according to the observational method were more effective in accounting for observed soil moisture patterns at the study site. The field characterization of R, therefore, may be advantageous on fields where the expected profit from mining unutilized R with VRI exceeds the cost of characterization. Future research should present field demonstrations of VRI profitability, provide guidance on VRI management, and produce transferable methods for and field-specific results of quantifying VRI benefits.

Book Food  Energy  and Water Nexus

Download or read book Food Energy and Water Nexus written by Chittaranjan Ray and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2022-01-17 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book, major issues surrounding importance of water and energy for food security in the United States and India are described representing two extremes in yield, irrigation efficiency, and automation. The farming systems in these two countries face different risks in terms of climatic shifts and systems’ resiliency to handle the shocks. One may have comparative advantage over the other, but both are susceptible. Innovations in irrigation for food and fuel production, improvements in nitrogen and water use efficiency, and rural sociological issues are discussed here. We also look into some of the unintended consequences of high productivity agriculture in terms of surface and ground water quality and impacts on ecosystem services. Finally, we present ways to move forward to meet the food demands in the next half-century in both countries. As the current world population of 7 billion is expected to reach or exceed 10 billion in the next 40 years, there will be significant additional demand for food. A rising middle class and its preference for a meat-based diet also increases the demand for animal feed. This additional food and feed production needs special considerations in water and energy management besides the development of appropriate crop hybrids to withstand future climatic shifts and other environmental factors. A resilient agricultural landscapes will also be needed to withstand climatic fluctuations, disease pressures, etc. While the upper and many middle income countries have made significant improvements in crop yield due to pressurized irrigation and automation in farming systems, the lower income countries are struggling with yield enhancements due to such limitations. The rise in population is expected to be more in Sub-Sharan Africa and Middle East (Low to middle-income countries) where the crop yields are expected to be low.

Book Decision Support Systems in Potato Production

Download or read book Decision Support Systems in Potato Production written by Donald K. L. MacKerron and published by Wageningen Academic Pub. This book was released on 2004 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Models of crop growth and development were conceived originally for scientific purposes. Typically, they describe the mechanisms of crop production, development from emergence through tuber initiation to senescence determined by temperature and day-length. Growth is driven by solar radiation intercepted by the foliage. Yields are enhanced by the availability of water and nutrients and may be reduced by pests, diseases and weeds. The scientific models describing the processes involved are leaving the research institutes and increasingly are becoming a means of knowledge transfer for students, and most importantly, to growers and their intermediaries such as extensionists and consultants. Many decision support systems (DSS) have a mechanistic model core that assures their robustness and reliability. This book gives an overview of model-based DSS in potato production. Decision support systems are used by the processing industry to guide them to promising production areas and by breeders to identify the ideal genotype for such environments. Consultants and soil laboratories use them as well as farmers to optimize the use of nitrogen, water and chemicals to control insects, nematodes, late blight and weeds. The systems, making use of models and sensing techniques, improve yield and quality while allowing their users to improve the efficiency of use of resources, thus generating positive effects for profits and for the environment. The book also gives examples of new introductions of DSS and farmers responses. The book is intended for researchers wanting to bring their models to practice, students to learn bout DSS, intermediaries and growers to improve the performance of the potato industry or of other commodities for which potato serves as an example.

Book New Zealand Soil Classification

    Book Details:
  • Author : A. E. Hewitt
  • Publisher : Balogh Scientific Books
  • Release : 1993
  • ISBN : 9780478045086
  • Pages : 133 pages

Download or read book New Zealand Soil Classification written by A. E. Hewitt and published by Balogh Scientific Books. This book was released on 1993 with total page 133 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First published as DSIR Land Resources Scientific Report No. 19, this is a reprint with corrections. Written for the specialist, it is a classification based on the best current knowledge of 15 soil types Further revisions are expected. Includes references and an appendix of code letters for soil designation.

Book Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture

Download or read book Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture written by Salim Lamine and published by Elsevier. This book was released on 2023-10-20 with total page 555 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Remote Sensing in Precision Agriculture: Transforming Scientific Advancement into Innovation compiles the latest applications of remote sensing in agriculture using spaceborne, airborne and drones’ geospatial data. The book presents case studies, new algorithms and the latest methods surrounding crop sown area estimation, determining crop health status, assessment of vegetation dynamics, crop diseases identification, crop yield estimation, soil properties, drone image analysis for crop damage assessment, and other issues in precision agriculture. This book is ideal for those seeking to explore and implement remote sensing in an effective and efficient manner with its compendium of scientifically and technologically sound information. Presents a well-integrated collection of chapters, with quality, consistency and continuity Provides the latest RS techniques in Precision Agriculture that are addressed by leading experts Includes detailed, yet geographically global case studies that can be easily understood, reproduced or implemented Covers geospatial data, with codes available through shared links

Book Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Download or read book Irrigation and Drainage Engineering written by Peter Waller and published by Springer. This book was released on 2015-11-18 with total page 747 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This textbook focuses specifically on the combined topics of irrigation and drainage engineering. It emphasizes both basic concepts and practical applications of the latest technologies available. The design of irrigation, pumping, and drainage systems using Excel and Visual Basic for Applications programs are explained for both graduate and undergraduate students and practicing engineers. The book emphasizes environmental protection, economics, and engineering design processes. It includes detailed chapters on irrigation economics, soils, reference evapotranspiration, crop evapotranspiration, pipe flow, pumps, open-channel flow, groundwater, center pivots, turf and landscape, drip, orchards, wheel lines, hand lines, surfaces, greenhouse hydroponics, soil water movement, drainage systems design, drainage and wetlands contaminant fate and transport. It contains summaries, homework problems, and color photos. The book draws from the fields of fluid mechanics, soil physics, hydrology, soil chemistry, economics, and plant sciences to present a broad interdisciplinary view of the fundamental concepts in irrigation and drainage systems design.

Book Sensing Approaches for Precision Agriculture

Download or read book Sensing Approaches for Precision Agriculture written by Ruth Kerry and published by Springer Nature. This book was released on 2021-11-23 with total page 425 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sensing Approaches for Precision Agriculture aims to bring together the ‘state of the art’ of the most popular sensing techniques and the current state of research on the application of sensors in Precision Agriculture (PA). Sensing is of great value in PA because it provides cheap and immediate data for management. This book gives a broad overview of sensing in PA and a coherent introduction for new professionals and research scientists. Readers are introduced to the potential applications of a range of different sensors, how they should be used properly and their limitations for use in PA. Chapters on specific topics and case studies provide depth and enable implementation of the methods by users. A general introduction about sensing techniques in PA is followed by Chapters 2–9 on the most important specific techniques in sensing and Chapters 10–13 include mini-case studies, each showing cutting-edge applications for different sensing methods. Finally, there is an Epilogue on how we expect sensors and analysis to develop.

Book Fundamentals of Irrigation and On farm Water Management  Volume 1

Download or read book Fundamentals of Irrigation and On farm Water Management Volume 1 written by Hossain Ali and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2010-09-08 with total page 578 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Agriculture is one of the few industries that has been creating resources conti- ously from nature. Sustainability of this industry is a crucial issue at now-a-days. Agricultural technologies are important to feed the growing world population. Agricultural engineering has been applying scienti?c principles for the optimal use of natural resources in agricultural production for the bene?t of humankind. The role of agricultural engineering is increasing in the coming days at the forthcoming challenges of producing more food with less water coupled with climate uncertainty. I am happy to know that a book entitled "Fundamentals of Irrigation and On-farm Water Management", written by Engr. Dr. M. H. Ali, is going to be p- lished by Springer. The book is designed to cover the major ?elds of agricultural and environmental engineering such as weather, plant, soil, water, and basics of on-farm water management. The book will be quite useful for the students of agricultural engineering. Students of other related branches of engineering s- ences, and engineers working in the ?eld and at research institutes will also be beni?ted. The book may serve as a text book for the students and as a practical hand-book for the practitioners and researchers in the ?eld of irrigation and on-farm water management. Utilization of the recent literature in the area and citation of relevant journals / reports have added a special value to this book. Considering the topics covered, engineers, scientists, practitioners, and educators will ?nd this book as a valuable resource.

Book Guideline for Salinity Assessment  Mitigation and Adaptation Using Nuclear and Related Techniques

Download or read book Guideline for Salinity Assessment Mitigation and Adaptation Using Nuclear and Related Techniques written by Mohammad Zaman and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-11-28 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This open access book is an outcome of the collaboration between the Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Section, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria, and Dr. Shabbir A Shahid, Senior Salinity Management Expert, Freelancer based in United Arab Emirates.The objective of this book is to develop protocols for salinity and sodicity assessment and develop mitigation and adaptation measures to use saline and sodic soils sustainably. The focus is on important issues related to salinity and sodicity and to describe these in an easy and user friendly way. The information has been compiled from the latest published literature and from the authors’ publications specific to the subject matter. The book consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the terms salinity and sodicity and describes various salinity classification systems commonly used around the world. Chapter 2 reviews global distribution of salinization and socioeconomic aspects related to salinity and crop production. Chapters 3 covers comprehensively salinity and sodicity adaptation and mitigation options including physical, chemical, hydrological and biological methods. Chapter 4 discusses the efforts that have been made to demonstrate the development of soil salinity zones under different irrigation systems. Chapter 5 discusses the quality of irrigation water, boron toxicity and relative tolerance to boron, the effects of chlorides on crops. Chapter 6 introduces the role of nuclear techniques in saline agriculture.

Book Deficit Irrigation Practices

Download or read book Deficit Irrigation Practices written by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and published by Food & Agriculture Org.. This book was released on 2002 with total page 116 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the context of improving water productivity, there is a growing interest in deficit irrigation, an irrigation practice whereby water supply is reduced below maximum levels and mild stress is allowed with minimal effects on yield. Under conditions of scarce water supply and drought, deficit irrigation can lead to greater economic gains than maximizing yields per unit of water for a given crop; farmers are more inclined to use water more efficiently, and more water-efficient cash crop selection helps optimize returns. However, this approach requires precise knowledge of crop response to water as drought tolerance varies considerably by species, cultivar and stage of growth. The studies present the latest research concepts and involve various practices for deficit irrigation. Both annual and perennial crops were exposed to different levels of water stress, either during a particular growth phase, throughout the whole growing season or in a combination of growth stages. The overall finding, based on the synthesis of the different contributions, is that deficit or regulated-deficit irrigation can be beneficial where appropriately applied. Substantial savings of water can be achieved with little impact on the quality and quantity of the harvested yield. However, to be successful, an intimate knowledge of crop behavior is required, as crop response to water stress varies considerably.

Book Selected Water Resources Abstracts

Download or read book Selected Water Resources Abstracts written by and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 954 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Book Thriving on Our Changing Planet  A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space

Download or read book Thriving on Our Changing Planet A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space written by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2019-06-18 with total page 29 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We live on a dynamic Earth shaped by both natural processes and the impacts of humans on their environment. It is in our collective interest to observe and understand our planet, and to predict future behavior to the extent possible, in order to effectively manage resources, successfully respond to threats from natural and human-induced environmental change, and capitalize on the opportunities â€" social, economic, security, and more â€" that such knowledge can bring. By continuously monitoring and exploring Earth, developing a deep understanding of its evolving behavior, and characterizing the processes that shape and reshape the environment in which we live, we not only advance knowledge and basic discovery about our planet, but we further develop the foundation upon which benefits to society are built. Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space (National Academies Press, 2018) provides detailed guidance on how relevant federal agencies can ensure that the United States receives the maximum benefit from its investments in Earth observations from space, while operating within realistic cost constraints. This short booklet, designed to be accessible to the general public, provides a summary of the key ideas and recommendations from the full decadal survey report.

Book Water Productivity in Agriculture

Download or read book Water Productivity in Agriculture written by J. W. Kijne and published by CABI. This book was released on 2003 with total page 354 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: First title in a major new seriesAddresses improving water productivity to relieve problems of scarcity and competition to provide for food and environmental securityDraws from scientists having a multitude of disciplines to approach this important problemIn a large number of developing countries, policy makers and researchers are increasingly aware of the conflicting demands on water, and look at agriculture to be more effective in its use of water. Focusing on both irrigated and rain-fed agriculture, this book gives a state of the art review of the limits and opportunities for improving water productivity in crop production. It demonstrates how efficiency of water use can be enhanced to maximize yields. The book represents the first in a new series of volumes resulting from the Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, a research program conducted by the CGIAR's Future Harvest Centres, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and partners worldwide. It will be of significant interest to those working in areas of soil and crop science, water management, irrigation, and development studies.

Book Precision Agriculture for Sustainability and Environmental Protection

Download or read book Precision Agriculture for Sustainability and Environmental Protection written by Margaret Oliver and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-11-20 with total page 351 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Precision agriculture (PA) involves the application of technologies and agronomic principles to manage spatial and temporal variation associated with all aspects of agricultural production in order to improve crop performance and environmental quality. The focus of this book is to introduce a non-specialist audience to the the role of PA in food security, environmental protection, and sustainable use of natural resources, as well as its economic benefits. The technologies covered include yield monitors and remote sensing, and the key agronomic principles addressed are the optimal delivery of fertilizers, water and pesticides to crops only when and where these are required. As a result, it is shown that both food production and resource efficiency can be maximized, without waste or damage to the environment, such as can occur from excessive fertilizer or pesticide applications. The authors of necessity describe some technicalities about PA, but the overall aim is to introduce readers who are unfamiliar with PA to this very broad subject and to demonstrate the potential impact of PA on the environment and economy. Chapter 3 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF at http://www.taylorfrancis.com under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 3.0 license.

Book Root Ecology

    Book Details:
  • Author : Hans de Kroon
  • Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
  • Release : 2003-05-21
  • ISBN : 9783540001850
  • Pages : 424 pages

Download or read book Root Ecology written by Hans de Kroon and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2003-05-21 with total page 424 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the course of evolution, a great variety of root systems have learned to overcome the many physical, biochemical and biological problems brought about by soil. This development has made them a fascinating object of scientific study. This volume gives an overview of how roots have adapted to the soil environment and which roles they play in the soil ecosystem. The text describes the form and function of roots, their temporal and spatial distribution, and their turnover rate in various ecosystems. Subsequently, a physiological background is provided for basic functions, such as carbon acquisition, water and solute movement, and for their responses to three major abiotic stresses, i.e. hard soil structure, drought and flooding. The volume concludes with the interactions of roots with other organisms of the complex soil ecosystem, including symbiosis, competition, and the function of roots as a food source.