Search Results (642)

Sustainable soil management is crucial for balancing agricultural productivity and soil health in Mollisols under long-term tillage systems. This study evaluated the effects of no-tillage (NT), minimum conservation tillage (MCT), and conventional tillage (CT) on soil properties and maize yield in an irrigated Mollisol in Chapingo, Mexico, over 9, 22, and 25 yr, using a Latin square design with three replications. MCT significantly enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), and exchangeable potassium (EK) compared to NT and CT, achieving the highest maize grain yield (7.21 t ha⁻¹). NT exhibited the greatest SOC and EK in the surface layer. Physical properties, such as bulk density and porosity, remained stable across systems, reflecting Mollisol resilience. Although MCT optimized fertility and productivity, nutrient declines from 2021 to 2024 highlight the need for adaptive management strategies to sustain long-term productivity, supporting global soil conservation and sustainable agriculture goals. Full article

The parameterization of vegetation indices (VIs) is crucial for sustainable irrigation and horticulture management, specifically for urban green infrastructure (GI) management. However, the constraints of roadside traffic, motor and industrially related pollution, and potential public vandalism compromise the efficacy of conventional in situ monitoring systems. The shortcomings of prevalent satellites, UAVs, and manual/automated sensor measurements and monitoring systems have already been reviewed. This research proposes a novel urban GI monitoring system based on an integration of gas exchange and various VIs obtained from computer vision algorithms applied to data acquired from three novel sources: (1) Integrated gas sensor data using nine different volatile organic compounds using an electronic nose (E-nose), designed on a PCB for stable performance under variable environmental conditions; (2) Plant growth parameters including effective leaf area index (LAIe), infrared index (Ig), canopy temperature depression (CTD) and tree water stress index (TWSI); (3) Meteorological data for all measurement campaigns based on wind velocity, air temperature, rainfall, air pressure, and air humidity conditions. To account for spatial and temporal data acquisition variability, the integrated cameras and the E-nose were mounted on a vehicle roof to acquire information from 172 Elm trees planted across the Royal Parade, Melbourne. Results showed strong correlations among air contaminants, ambient conditions, and plant growth status, which can be modelled and optimized for better smart irrigation and environmental monitoring based on real-time data. Full article

The study of the relationship between water availability, photosynthetic behavior, flavonoid accumulation, and antioxidant response offers new perspectives for enhancing nursery practices, resulting in more vigorous eucalyptus seedlings that are tolerant and have greater potential for field establishment. Under the hypothesis that different eucalyptus genetic materials show contrasting responses to water availability in the soil–plant–atmosphere system, this study aims to evaluate the physiological behavior of clones subjected to different irrigation intervals, with an emphasis on the role of flavonoids as antioxidants in mitigating the effects of water stress. The experimental design was structured in strips containing five eucalyptus clones and irrigation with different watering intervals: 1, 2, 4, and 8 days. Evaluations of net photosynthesis, transpiration, and instantaneous water use efficiency were performed. In addition to the physiological assessments, the flavonoids daidzein, genistein, and genistin were determined. Clones C1, C2, and C3 excelled in photosynthesis and transpiration at 2- and 4-day intervals, while C1 and C2 maintained superior performance even at an 8-day interval. WUE was highest in C5 and increased with water stress, showing a quadratic fit in all clones. Regarding flavonoid production, C1 and C3 showed greater daidzein accumulation, with a quadratic response to the withdrawal interval. Genistein showed a linear reduction only in C2, while genistein increased in C1, peaking around 11 days. Eucalyptus clones exhibit distinct physiological and biochemical responses to variations in irrigation intervals. More frequent irrigation favors photosynthetic activity and transpiration, particularly in clones C1, C2, and C3, whereas longer irrigation intervals reduce these processes but enhance water use efficiency, especially in C5. Full article

To address the issue of existing automatic irrigation systems’ excessive reliance on electrical power and communication networks, a one-inlet, four-outlet Hydraulically Actuated Irrigation Control Valve (HAICV) was designed that operates based on water pressure variations. Its hydraulic characteristics and flow field features were investigated through experimental and numerical simulation methods. The results indicated that power–function relationships exist between pressure and flow rate, as well as between flow rate and head loss. The flow coefficient and resistance coefficient were found to range within [77.46, 81.06] and [15.94, 17.46], respectively. Dynamic simulations based on User-Defined Functions (UDF) revealed that during the opening process, the internal pressure of the valve spool remains high, with the primary pressure drop concentrated in the outlet region, and the low-pressure zone shrinks as the opening degree increases. A high-velocity band forms at the outlet, with jet flow and turbulence observed at small to medium openings, while the flow field stabilizes after full opening. The unique spool shape and non-straight flow passage structure of the HAICV result in relatively high energy loss, making it suitable for self-pressure irrigation systems. This study provides a theoretical foundation for evaluating its performance and broader applications. Full article

Tropical agriculture requires sustainable irrigation solutions that balance water availability with quality and environmental protection. This review synthesizes current knowledge on riverbank filtration (RBF)—a nature-based technology for improving agricultural water quality—with objectives to elucidate design principles, water quality performance, and operational challenges specific to tropical contexts. Through systematic analysis of 128 peer-reviewed articles across topics including RBF hydrogeology, contaminant removal mechanisms, sediment transport, pathogen reduction, site selection criteria, and monitoring strategies, this work consolidates interdisciplinary evidence on RBF effectiveness for irrigation water supply. The Roldanillo–Unión–Toro (RUT) district in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, serves as a case study illustrating RBF application to sediment-rich, pathogen-prone rivers typical of tropical agricultural regions. While RBF is established for drinking water supply in temperate zones, its adaptation to tropical irrigation remains underexplored. This review identifies critical hydrogeological, environmental, and operational considerations for implementing RBF systems in tropical agricultural settings characterized by high water demand, seasonal variability, and challenging water quality conditions. Key findings are synthesized into a practitioner-oriented framework—covering site selection, design optimization, and adaptive management—intended to guide deployment of RBF for irrigation in tropical agricultural settings. Full article

Background and Objectives: Lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty run adjacent to the lacrimal drainage system (LDS), risking postoperative tearing. Piezoelectric (piezo) devices enable precise bone cuts that may reduce LDS trauma. We compared the 1-month incidence of objective lacrimal dysfunction after piezo versus classic osteotomy. Materials and Methods: Retrospective, single-center controlled cohort (1 January 2024–1 January 2025) at a tertiary ENT clinic. Consecutive patients aged 19–45 with pre-operative paranasal sinus CT and no prior lacrimal disorder were grouped by osteotomy technique (piezo vs. classic; n = 65 per arm). Assessments were performed at postoperative day 7–10 and at 1, 3, and 6–12 months. The primary endpoint was 1-month objective lacrimal dysfunction, defined as fluorescein dye disappearance test (FDDT) grade ≥1 or reflux/resistance on irrigation plus symptoms (Munk ≥2). Pre-specified statistical tests were used. Results: Early tearing favored piezo. At week 1, epiphora occurred in 32.3% with piezo versus 46.1% with classic (p = 0.041); by month 6, rates were 4.6% versus 15.1% (p = 0.031). Differences at months 1 and 3 also favored piezo but were not statistically significant (p = 0.062 and p = 0.088). FDDT positivity was lower with piezo at week 1 (23.0% vs. 38.4%, p = 0.045) and month 6 (3.0% vs. 10.7%, p = 0.048). Irrigation obstruction was less frequent with piezo at week 1 (7.6% vs. 21.5%, p = 0.026), but groups converged by months 1 (15.4% vs. 12.3%, p = 0.80) and 3 (6.2% vs. 4.6%, p > 0.99). Punctum stenosis/occlusion remained uncommon in both groups without significant differences. Conclusions: Piezo-assisted lateral osteotomy is associated with less early lacrimal dysfunction and lower 6-month epiphora compared with the classic technique. Convergence of irrigation findings by 1–3 months suggests postoperative edema as the dominant transient mechanism. Given the retrospective, single-center design and low event rates, multicenter prospective studies powered for early LDS outcomes are warranted. Full article

The slaughterhouse-treated effluent, enriched with nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic matter, presents a promising alternative for water and nutrient reuse in irrigated crop systems. This study assessed the chemical composition of the effluent, nutrient dynamics in the soil, and agronomic performance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) under fertigation. A randomized block design was used, with five treatments (tap water—control—and four effluent levels: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) applied to two crop species, with four replications. The effluent exhibited elevated concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen (43.9 ± 18.7 mg L⁻¹), and potassium (13.1 ± 3.8 mg L⁻¹), confirming its potential as a nutrient source. No significant differences were observed in soybean plant height across treatments, whereas early-stage sorghum growth showed only slight variation. Irrigation with treated effluent successfully replaced 100% of tap water in both soybean and sorghum, with no significant differences in productivity across concentrations. These results demonstrate the agronomic feasibility of using treated effluent as a substitute for tap water and synthetic fertilizers. Moreover, they highlight its potential as a sustainable input for fertigation, contributing to resource efficiency and promoting more integrated and environmentally conscious agricultural practices. Full article

Among the Central Asian republics, Uzbekistan is unique in that approximately 80% of its territory lies within a plain, characterized by an arid geographic zone and dry climate. Agricultural production in these regions is possible only through artificial irrigation. In recent years, global climate change and challenges related to transboundary water use have led to a reduction in water availability. The average annual water allocation to Uzbekistan is estimated at 51–53 billion m³, of which 90–91% is consumed by the agricultural sector. Due to the uneven distribution of water resources and the complex topography of irrigated lands, water supply is supported by numerous pumping stations operated by the state, water users associations, farms, and clusters. Additionally, well-based pumping systems are employed to maintain groundwater levels and ensure irrigation. On average, these facilities consume around 8.0 billion kWh of electricity annually. The agricultural sector faces several critical challenges, including crop water deficits caused by water shortages, slow adoption of water-saving technologies, and limited implementation of drip irrigation on household plots, dachas, and greenhouses that play a key role in food supply. Moreover, the delivery of water to fertile lands situated far from main power lines and water sources remains problematic. This article aims to explore the integration of solar energy solutions to support drip irrigation in both large-scale agricultural lands (ω = 1.0–100.0 ha and above) and small-scale areas such as homestead plots, dachas, and greenhouses (ω = 0.01–1.0 ha), as well as their application in small- to medium-sized pumping stations. Based on the research and experimental design work carried out, three mobile photovoltaic units—MPPU-8-500-4000, MPPU-2-550-1100, and MPPU-4-500-2000—were developed and implemented to address water and energy shortages in agriculture. Full article

Canephora coffee genotypes developed in other growing regions, with traits of interest such as drought tolerance and high coffee bean yield, need to be introduced and characterized in other locations to check adaptability. The aim of this study was to check the agronomic performance and determine the genetic parameters of the clonal canephora coffee cultivar Marilândia ES 8143, composed by twelve genotypes, developed by the Capixaba Institute of Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural—Incaper), in an irrigated system of the Central Cerrado region of Brazil. The study was conducted in the experimental areas of Embrapa Cerrados at 1050 m altitude in a center pivot irrigation system using a management system with water stress controlled for around 65 days. A randomized block experimental design was used with three replications, and each plot consisted of eight plants. The clones were planted in February 2019 and in 2021 and 2022. Phenotyping was carried out to evaluate the following traits: coffee bean yields, sieve retention percentages, plant height, canopy projection, number of pairs of plagiotropic branches, and frost damage using a scoring scale. Clone 5 stood out in mean value in the two years evaluated for bean yield. Clones 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 had higher mean values for flat-type coffee beans in both years. Clones 1 and 5 exhibited mean values indicating good vegetative development. Clones 5 and 12 showed no visible symptoms for low air temperatures and frost effects. Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the morphoagronomic traits evaluated, and high values of heritability, genetic coefficients of variation, and selective accuracy showed conditions favorable to the selection of clones for the agronomic traits analyzed. Clones 1, 2 and 6 have values in lower groups for chlorogenic acids and caffeine, and in higher groups for protein and soluble solids, thus showing greater potential for obtaining quality beverages. Full article

In recent years the Government of the Sultanate of Oman has planned the construction of recharge dams in the semi-desert region of Wilayat Ibri, according to the growing domestic water demand for drinking and agricultural use. For this reason, the Engineering Company SERING International planned the construction of rockfill dams, well positioned according to the local morphological and geological context. Using temporary floodwaters and releasing them slowly downstream, these dams increase the water flow of the Aflaj. The latter is the existing traditional irrigation system devised to manage the scarce water resources of the Sultanate. In this paper, we describe the IBRI 14 Dam, namely Wadi Sulayf Dam, with a total length of about 3200 m and lying close to the settlements of Ibri Town, the largest one among those projected. This paper shows the criteria that guided the design studies of the dam linked to the geological and geotechnical features of the area, the main dam characteristic and the activities developed until the work was completed in 2020. This work represents an interesting and useful case study about the complete cycle of realization of a dam, in particular considering that it had been affected by huge flooding during the construction but reporting no significant damage. Full article

Land surface temperature (LST) is a critical parameter in agricultural drought monitoring, crop growth analysis, and climate change research. However, the challenge of acquiring high-resolution LST data with both fine spatial and temporal scales remains a significant obstacle in remote sensing applications. Despite the high temporal resolution afforded by daily MODIS LST observations, the coarse (1 km) spatial scale of these data restricts their applicability for studies demanding finer spatial resolution. To address this challenge, a novel deep learning-based approach is proposed for LST downscaling: the spatial resolution downscaling attention network (SRDA-Net). The model is designed to upscale the resolution of MODIS LST from 1000 m to 250 m, overcoming the shortcomings of traditional interpolation techniques in reconstructing spatial details, as well as reducing the reliance on linear models and multi-source high-temporal LST data typical of conventional fusion approaches. SRDA-Net captures the feature interaction between MODIS LST and auxiliary data through global resolution attention to address spatial heterogeneity. It further enhances the feature representation ability under heterogeneous surface conditions by optimizing multi-source features to handle heterogeneous data. Additionally, it strengthens the model of spatial dependency relationships through a multi-level feature refinement module. Moreover, this study constructs a composite loss function system that integrates physical mechanisms and data characteristics, ensuring the improvement of reconstruction details while maintaining numerical accuracy and model interpret-ability through a triple collaborative constraint mechanism. Experimental results show that the proposed model performs excellently in the simulation experiment (from 2000 m to 1000 m), with an MAE of 0.928 K and an R² of 0.95. In farmland areas, the model performs particularly well (MAE = 0.615 K, R² = 0.96, RMSE = 0.823 K), effectively supporting irrigation scheduling and crop health monitoring. It also maintains good vegetation heterogeneity expression ability in grassland areas, making it suitable for drought monitoring tasks. In the target downscaling experiment (from 1000 m to 500 m and 250 m), the model achieved an RMSE of 1.804 K, an MAE of 1.587 K, and an R² of 0.915, confirming its stable generalization ability across multiple scales. This study supports agricultural drought warning and precise irrigation and provides data support for interdisciplinary applications such as climate change research and ecological monitoring, while offering a new approach to generating high spatio-temporal resolution LST. Full article

Monitoring plant water status is vital for optimizing irrigation in precision agriculture. This study explores the use of two simple, affordable, and non-invasive sensor systems, electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy, to assess plant water status directly from leaf tissues. This approach is well-suited for the realization of large networks of distributed sensors wirelessly connected to a central hub. An outdoor experiment was conducted over two phases of 20 day-experiment involving six Hydrangea macrophylla plants subjected to two irrigation treatments: a control group (well-irrigated) and a test group (poorly irrigated) designed to induce water stress. The standard relative water content (RWC) method validated the treatment effects on the plants, and both EIS and IR sensors effectively distinguished between the two groups. Impedance-derived parameters, particularly the normalized intracellular resistance (R0) and the cell membrane capacitance (C0), exhibited statistically significant differences between the treatments. In addition, the IR measurements showed moderate correlations with RWC, with determination coefficients of R² = 0.56 and R² = 0.51 for first and second phases of the experiment, respectively. Despite some limitations concerning the electrode–leaf conformity and external sunlight interference, the results point to the advantages of these methods for real-time plant monitoring and decision-making in smart irrigation systems. Full article

Using five years of field monitoring data, this study compares two types of roof systems that combine green roofs, cisterns, and real-time control (RTC) strategies: one optimized to reduce stormwater runoff (a fully vegetated roof with cisterns operating under a “smart detention” [SD] logic that fully empties within 24 h), and one designed to balance architectural, economic, and structural tradeoffs (a half vegetated, half bare roof with cisterns operating under a “rainwater harvesting” [RWH] logic that partially drains in anticipation of rainfall while maintaining a reserve for green roof irrigation). Both configurations demonstrated strong stormwater performance, with cisterns improving roof retention by 10.2 to 13.0% over five years. For small to medium storms (under 25 mm), representing 71.2% of events, both strategies prevented more than 95% of runoff, while forecast accuracy primarily influenced larger events. Even with modest cistern sizing, the SD system captured 96.7% and the RWH system 95.8% of runoff from small to medium storms, approaching 100% assuming perfect weather forecasts. Irrigation analysis showed that RWH cisterns supplied ~51% of irrigation demand, increasing to ~70% under perfect forecasts. This study is among the first to compare stormwater and irrigation outcomes from side-by-side RTC-managed roof systems over multiple years. The results underscore that the mixed green/bare roof with RWH logic provides nearly equivalent stormwater benefits while offering added value through irrigation supply, reduced structural loading, and design flexibility. Full article

Mediterranean cities are increasingly exposed to climate hazards, water scarcity, and social vulnerabilities, demanding integrative approaches for sustainable regeneration. This study examines how participatory governance and co-design processes can shape nature-based solutions (NbS) for climate resilience in Barrios Altos, a socially and environmentally fragile district of Lorca, Spain. Within the framework of the NATUR-W project, the interventions reimagine a degraded hillside and adjacent public spaces into a multifunctional urban forest, complemented by green retrofits of social housing and the adaptive reuse of a historic prison. Methods combined baseline community assessments, stakeholder mapping, co-design workshops, and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder governance board, ensuring inclusive participation from residents, civil society, and municipal authorities. Results demonstrate that the co-created design addressed key community priorities—such as shade provision, safe accessibility, cultural venues, and child-friendly spaces—while integrating sustainable water management systems for irrigation and stormwater control. The participatory process enhanced local ownership, balanced technical feasibility with community aspirations, and fostered governance structures that increase transparency and accountability. Overall, the study illustrates how NbS, when embedded in collaborative governance frameworks, can deliver climate, social, and cultural co-benefits while advancing resilient, inclusive, and human-scale urban environments. Full article

Freshwater scarcity is a critical constraint on global agriculture, with arid regions such as Saudi Arabia facing acute challenges as farming consumes most of the available water. This study evaluated the performance of a dual-lateral subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system using fresh and brackish water for potato and tomato production under hyper-arid conditions. Over three growing seasons, six irrigation strategies combining simultaneous and sequential operation of fresh and brackish water were tested in a factorial design. Results showed that irrigation water quality and operation mode significantly affected crop response. For potatoes, yield and water productivity were highest under simultaneous application, while brackish-dominated sequences reduced performance. Tomatoes exhibited higher salt tolerance, maintaining yield across treatments, though water productivity and footprint varied with operation sequence. Overall, dual-lateral SDI with concurrent operation demonstrated superior efficiency, reducing dependence on freshwater while sustaining crop yields. These findings highlight the potential of dual-lateral SDI as a sustainable irrigation strategy for water-scarce regions. Full article