Advances in Agricultural Irrigation Management and Technology

1. Introduction

Agriculture is the cornerstone of global food security, yet water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices pose significant challenges to sustainable production. With increasing population pressures, climate change, and dwindling freshwater resources, optimizing irrigation management has become imperative [1,2]. Recent advances in agricultural irrigation technology like precision irrigation [3,4], sensor-based automation [5], and data-driven decision-making [6], are revolutionizing water use efficiency, crop yield, and environmental sustainability. Traditional irrigation methods, such as flood and furrow irrigation, often lead to substantial water loss due to evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation. In contrast, modern techniques like drip irrigation [7,8], micro-sprinklers [9], and subsurface irrigation [10] deliver water directly to the root zone, minimizing waste. Furthermore, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence (AI) enables real-time monitoring of soil moisture, weather conditions, and crop water requirements. These smart irrigation systems adjust water delivery dynamically, ensuring optimal plant growth while conserving resources. Further improving agricultural irrigation management and technology is of great significance for developing efficient water-saving irrigation.

Therefore, this Special Issue of “Water” highlights cutting-edge research in irrigation management and technology, highlighting innovative technologies, their applications, and future directions for research and implementation. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in agricultural irrigation management and technology. This has great significance for offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in the field of agricultural irrigation

Since the call for papers was announced in 2024, 6 original papers have been accepted for publication after a rigorous peer-review process (contributions 1–6); these papers can be classified into two areas: irrigation systems and water management. To better understand this Special Issue, we summarize the highlights of the published papers below.

2. Overview of the Contributions to This Special Issue

The hydraulic performance of a newly designed Spiral Fluidic Sprinkler (SFS) under various operating pressures and nozzle sizes is evaluated by Joseph et al. [1]. Using CFD simulations and experimental data, they show that larger nozzle sizes improve water application uniformity and efficiency. Their findings suggest that the SFS can significantly enhance water conservation and irrigation efficiency, making it a promising solution for controlled agricultural environments. Sedimentation patterns and fluid movement in drip irrigation emitters using high sand-laden water from the Yellow River Basin are investigated by Wang et al. [2]. Their study reveals that optimizing the combination of emitter channel structure and sediment content can significantly improve anti-clogging performance. This research provides valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency and longevity of drip irrigation systems in regions with high sediment loads. The design of flat drippers is optimized using computational fluid dynamics by Marchis et al. [3]. By analyzing the relationship between flow rate and pressure for different labyrinth channel geometries, they identify configurations that achieve high turbulence and efficient water distribution. Their findings contribute to the development of more effective and durable drip irrigation systems, which are crucial for sustainable agriculture. Optimal irrigation regimes for peanut cultivation in Western Liaoning, China, a region characterized by water scarcity, are investigated by Zhao et al. [4]. Through field experiments, they demonstrate that moderate irrigation can improve peanut yield while maintaining high water use efficiency (WUE). Their study underscores the need for balanced irrigation practices that maximize economic returns while conserving water resources. A study on the use of drip irrigation combined with poly-mulching to enhance water use efficiency and vegetable yields is presented by Bwire et al. [5]. Their research demonstrates that poly-mulching can significantly reduce weed biomass and improve water retention, leading to higher yields and better water productivity. This study highlights the importance of integrating soil conservation techniques with precision irrigation to achieve sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in water-scarce regions. The effects of treated wastewater (TWW) irrigation on olive growth and soil properties are explored by Al-Karablieh et al. [6]. They find that TWW can enhance soil fertility and plant growth, although it may lead to increased microbial and metal contamination. The study suggests that blending TWW with surface water can mitigate these negative effects, offering a sustainable alternative for agricultural irrigation in water-scarce regions.

3. Conclusions

The guest editors envision that the papers published in this Special Issue will be of interest to researchers, designers and practitioners for the technology and management of agricultural irrigation and will help identify further lines of research. We also hope that readers will find the research methodology in this Special Issue both interesting and enlightening as they combine engineering, agronomy and environmental science to develop sustainable solutions for water-scarce regions. The research results and methods introduced in this Special Issue, including precision irrigation, smart irrigation systems, agricultural technology and water resource management, are of great research significance. These technological contributions can help related scholars and project managers analyze the technology and management of agricultural irrigation.