Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production

Dear Colleagues,

Agricultural production is challenged by water scarcity and food security due to the uprising problems of climate change and environmental pollution. Therefore, it is essential to increase agricultural production under varying climate conditions. Thus, adopting agricultural production systems to variations in agro-ecological conditions is of increasing interest. Irrigation is described by the quantity of water required to supply the soil for a crop. However, due to recent limitations on freshwater resources, crop production systems need to implement innovative irrigation tactics to decrease water consumption without reducing the yield, enhancing crops' water productivity. Therefore, understanding the water productivity responses of the crop to the varying agro-ecological conditions is critical to identify the appropriate water submission for crop production. Thus, recent research has shed light on improving the water productivity of crops under various irrigation systems. However, the water productivity responses of the crops cultivated under different agro-ecological conditions are not well understood. Therefore, to improve crop production, crops' water productivity and yield level should be precisely evaluated, paying much attention to crop irrigation techniques at the greenhouse level and open field experimentation.

Several irrigation methods are used to water numerous crops. The irrigation method extends from simple hand watering systems to huge flood and furrow irrigation systems, and each method has its advantages and disadvantages. However, irrigation can be successful with good design and operative management, determined by the rate, number, and intervals of water applications to crops. The irrigation method also depends on the soil, crop types, physical and hydrological location conditions, available water, and management skills. However, the amount of water loss from irrigation is determined by the irrigation method at which water management options regulate the uniformity of water supply to provide the essential moisture for normal plant growth. Therefore, the water supply method to provide optimal soil water conditions for desirable crop growth and marketable yields is of great interest. This involves that irrigation is the main factor in water resources management, and the amount of water proposed to be applied in irrigation depends on the type of crop, agro-hydrological conditions, and the amount of rainfall in the region. In summary, improved irrigation management practices should effectively reduce water use, including more precise water management options. Therefore, it is required to improve agro-ecological quality and water productivity in crop production with the help of accurate water control, focusing on irrigation practices that decrease water consumption without a significant reduction in crop yield.

This Special Issue will deal with the " Improved Irrigation Management Practices in Crop Production." We invite researchers and experts to contribute with original research, reviews, and opinion pieces covering all topics related to improved irrigation systems in crop production. Authors are welcome to submit articles and reviews on the most important aspects of these improved irrigation systems, including the agro-ecological strategies to improve crop production while reducing water consumption.

Dr. Yousef Alhaj Hamoud
Dr. Hiba Shaghaleh
Dr. Tingting Chang
Guest Editors

Dr. Fei Gao
Guest Editor Assistant

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