Search Results (99)

Implementation of real-scale systems for rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse of greywater in residential areas is challenging because several factors should be considered for full adoption and satisfaction of decision-makers, urban developers and users. Technological, construction, operational, social (acceptance), impact on water resources, regulatory, and economic factors are involved. This study presents the implementation of a full-scale hybrid system for rainwater harvesting, treatment and reuse of greywater in a residential building located in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. The study included intervening in the hydraulic infrastructure of an already constructed residential building for collecting greywater, harvesting and collecting rainwater, designing and constructing an 80 m² controlled natural soil treatment system (CNSTS) and a 65 m³ storage tank for treating and storing rain and greywater. Furthermore, the full-scale hybrid system was monitored under real operating conditions for a two-month period to assess its performance. Results showed that the CNSTS has the potential to replace up to 2835 m³ year⁻¹ of potable water, equivalent to 65% of the building’s annual water consumption. The CNSTS achieved removal efficiencies of up to ~90% for Chemical Oxygen Demand, 90% for surfactants, and 50% for total nitrogen. Most of the measured parameters complied with the corresponding limits established by the Mexican standards NOM-003-SEMARNAT-1997 for non-potable water reuse, NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021 for wastewater discharges, and NOM-127-SSA1-2021 for potable water with the exception of methylene blue active substances (surfactants), which exceeded the permissible limit during the initial monitoring stage, highlighting the need for further optimization of the system’s vegetative cover. Based on these findings, conceptual designs and preliminary evaluations were conducted for additional buildings, resulting in potable water substitution rates above 90% with investment payback periods of 2 to 5 years, depending on the water demand and the water catchment potential. Full article

Maize production in the black soil region of Northeast China is highly vulnerable to drought and flood stress, yet stage-specific mechanisms under rain-fed conditions remain unclear. Daily meteorological records from 1951 to 2024 were used to calculate the Crop Water Surplus Deficit Index (CWSDI) for four maize phenological stages, and 2025 in situ soil moisture and temperature observations were used to derive root-zone soil water storage (SWS), soil water depletion rate (SWDR), and the soil temperature–moisture coupling index (STMI). The growing season showed a persistent water deficit (mean CWSDI = −39.19%). Drought risk was greatest during sowing–jointing (S1; CWSDI = −64.73%; drought frequency = 73.0%) and milk–maturity (S4; CWSDI = −49.84%; drought frequency = 58.1%), whereas jointing–tasseling (S2) had the highest flood frequency (13.5%). Soil hydrothermal indicators showed that S1 drought was evaporation-driven, S2 involved potential hot-wet compound stress, tasseling–milk (S3) had rapid root-zone water depletion, and S4 drought was driven by insufficient late-season precipitation. These findings show that maize water stress is a sequence of stage-specific mechanisms rather than a uniform seasonal phenomenon. We therefore propose a regulation strategy combining soil moisture conservation, rainwater harvesting, precision supplemental irrigation, and field drainage to improve maize resilience. Full article

Photoperiod-sensitive sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) accumulates biomass and sugars during vegetative growth, making it a silage candidate where water limits maize production. This study examined how harvest date and nitrogen (N) rate affect its forage quality and in vitro rumen gas production under rain-fed conditions. In a randomized complete block design with three replications, we evaluated dry matter (DM) yield, morphology, and chemical composition of sweet sorghum harvested at 80 and 110 days after planting (DAP) under five N rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg N/ha). Each treatment was ensiled in laboratory-scale bag silos for 90 days. Silage was analyzed for silage quality and 48-h in vitro rumen gas production and fermentation parameters. Delaying harvest from 80 to 110 DAP increased DM yield and fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, lignin), but reduced crude protein (CP), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in fresh forage (p < 0.001). Increasing the N rate up to 225 kg N/ha enhanced DM yield, CP, and WSC at both harvest dates. A harvest date × N rate interaction occurred for WSC (p < 0.05). After ensiling, CP and IVDMD were higher in 80-DAP silage. Butyric acid (BA) and ammonia-N (NH₃-N) increased with N rate, but at ≥225 kg N/ha both were lower in 80 DAP silage. The highest 48-h gas production (71.2 and 61.0 mL/200 mg DM) occurred in forage and silage from 110 DAP with 150 kg N/ha. Ruminal pH remained optimal range (6.2–6.8) across treatments. Harvest date and N rate interactively influence sweet sorghum silage quality and rumen fermentability. Under rain-fed conditions, 80 DAP with 225 kg N/ha optimizes silage quality, while 110 DAP with 150 kg N/ha maximizes rumen fermentation potential. These findings support sweet sorghum as a viable silage option where maize production is constrained by water availability. Full article

The rapid growth of cities and expansion of impervious surfaces have intensified surface runoff problems and urban flooding risk. This scenario, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, demands sustainable and integrated solutions. Thus, this study evaluates the pre-feasibility of implementing sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) in the Monteverde neighborhood in Montería, Colombia; an area that is critically affected by floods during rainfall events. Using the storm water management model (SWMM) and hydrological simulations based on design hyetographs for different return periods, the performance of a conventional drainage system was compared with five scenarios using SUDS. To determine the modeling scenarios, a decision-making method through the analytic hierarchy process, AHP, was used to select the most appropriate SUDS. The results showed that implementing storage tanks reduces peak flows at outlets 1 and 2 up to 50%, while bioretention zones and rain gardens in isolation showed reduced effectiveness (<6%). Combining strategies slightly improves overall efficiency, although the impact keeps being dominated by tanks. This study demonstrates that the incorporation of SUDS in vulnerable urban areas lessens water risks, strengthens urban resilience, promotes rainwater harvesting, and eases the transition to a more sustainable infrastructure. In addition, it proposes a methodology that can be replicated in other similar Latin American cities. Full article

The aim of this paper is to investigate the measures adopted by higher education institutions (HEIs) for sustainable water management in university campuses. Rain and storm water harvesting and treatment, rain and storm water reuse, wastewater treatment and reuse and technologies for runoff reduction were found to be frequently undertaken. Sustainable approaches to water supply such as water-efficient appliances, irrigation algorithms and the use of drought-resistant plants have been adopted as well. In support, monitoring of consumed water and of rain and storm waters has been a widespread practice. Important considerations were given to the impact of the identified measures on campuses’ energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Nature-based solutions, employment of renewable energies and sustainable disinfection methods are measures to prioritize. Some wastewater technologies may deserve priority in virtue of their positive contribution to circular economy. Drawbacks such as groundwater and soil contamination due to wastewater reuse and the release of pollutants from fertilized nature-based technologies were identified. Despite their variety, it must be noted that many of these measures have generally involved rather limited portions of campuses, taken more for demonstration or pilot/full-scale research purposes. Additional measures not identified in the current review—for instance the prevention of pollution from micropollutants and waste mismanagement—should be implemented to boost HEIs’ environmental sustainability. The findings of this review pave the way for a more structured implementation of water sustainability measures in university campuses. Full article

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) forage production recommendations are often developed in natural environments with available water limitations, often resulting in highly variable responses and lower average responses. As farmland ownership changes and agriculture and irrigation technologies become more affordable the amount of irrigated hay production has increased. While much of the agronomic management does not differ between rain-fed and irrigated environments, nutrient use and uptake dynamics may. This requires a reevaluation and potential adjustment of current recommendations to allow for increased yield potential of irrigated production systems without detrimental impacts on the system. The objective of this study was to identify the need for further investigation of nitrogen application rates for forage bermudagrass production under irrigated conditions. Nitrogen applications of 0 to 280 kg N ha⁻¹, in 56 kg increments, were applied at spring green-up and following the first and second harvests. Dry matter biomass, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients increased with increasing nitrogen application rate, while yield and profit maximizing rates both exceeded the typical recommended rate for bermudagrass hay production. The responses noted for increased nitrogen application rates indicate the need for further investigation of N requirements of non-moisture-limited hay production. Full article

The water–energy–food (WEF) nexus provides a critical framework for addressing the interconnected challenges of resource scarcity and sustainability in the face of global population growth and climate variability. This study investigates the application of a WEF nexus approach within the operation and management of a hydroponic greenhouse unit in Central Greece, with the aim of enhancing the unit’s energy autonomy and resource sufficiency. Hydroponics, a soilless cultivation method, optimizes water and land use but relies heavily on energy inputs, necessitating integrated solutions. Through the case study approach, we analyze the unit’s resource dynamics per hectare of water (68 MWh equivalent from desalination), energy (125 MWh or 321 GJ/ha plus 74.5 GJ/ha for fertigation), and food production (~295 tons, which contains 50,250,000 kcal and corresponds to 210 GJ) and propose technical solutions: photovoltaic panels as greenhouse coverings and water rain harvesting regulated with a small reservoir. These innovations could reduce external energy dependency by 90–95% and water use by 25–35%. Energy efficiency is quantified using the energy ratio (ER) and net energy gain (NEG), while resilience is assessed via system reliability under resource variability. Conclusively, this study illustrates how a nexus-based approach can effectively upgrade systems into climate-resilient, resource-efficient models as the abundance or scarcity of one source affects the availability or limitation of the others. Overall, the approach presented in this study could also be used to safeguard the supply chains in megacities. Full article

This study explores the revival of cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) farming in Italy through sustainable practices, addressing economic and water-related challenges by integrating cultivar selection, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation, and deficit irrigation under organic farming. Field trials evaluated two widely grown Mediterranean cultivars (Armonia and ST-318) under three irrigation levels (I-100: 100% crop water requirement; I-70: 70%; I-30: 30%) across two Sicilian soil types (sandy loam vs. clay-rich). Under I-100, lint yields reached 0.99 t ha⁻¹, while severe deficit (I-30) yielded only 0.40 t ha⁻¹. However, moderate deficit (I-70) maintained 75–79% of full yields, proving a viable strategy. AMF inoculation significantly enhanced plant height (68.52 cm vs. 65.85 cm), boll number (+22.1%), and seed yield (+12.5%) (p < 0.001). Cultivar responses differed: Armonia performed better under water stress, while ST-318 thrived with full irrigation. Site 1, with higher organic matter, required 31–38% less water and achieved superior irrigation water productivity (1.43 kg m⁻³). Water stress also shortened phenological stages, allowing earlier harvests—important for avoiding autumn rains. These results highlight the potential of combining adaptive irrigation, resilient cultivars, and AMF to restore sustainable cotton production in the Mediterranean, emphasizing the importance of soil-specific management. Full article

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, (L.) Moench.), is one of the most important cereals in semi-arid and subtropical regions of Africa. However, in these regions, sorghum cultivation is often faced with several constraints. In Mali, terminal or post-flowering drought, caused by the early cessation of rains towards the end of the rainy season, is one of the most common constraints. Sorghum is generally adapted to harsh conditions. However, drought combined to heat reduce its yield and production in tropical and subtropical regions. To identify parents of sorghum hybrids tolerant to post-flowering drought for commercial hybrids development and deployment, a total of 200 genotypes, including male and female parents of the hybrids, were evaluated in 2022 by lysimeters under two water regimes, well-irrigated and water-stressed, at ICRISAT in Niger. Agronomic traits such as phenological stages, physiological traits including transpiration efficiency, and morphological traits such as green leaf number were recorded. Genotype × environment (G × E) interaction was significant for harvest index (HI), green leaf number (GLN), and transpiration efficiency (TE), indicating different responses of genotypes under varying water conditions. Transpiration efficiency (TE) was significantly and positively correlated with total biomass (BT), harvest index (HI), and grain weight (GW) under both stress conditions. Genotypes ICSV216094, ICSB293, ICSV1049, ICSV1460016, and ICSV216074 performed better under optimal and stress conditions. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results led to the identification of three groups of genotypes. The Groups 1 and 3 are characterized by their yield stability and better performance under stress and optimal conditions. These two groups could be used by breeding programs to develop high yield and drought tolerant hybrids. Full article

Green roofs (GRs) are increasingly implemented for stormwater management, and retrofitting conventional roofs is emerging as a key strategy for climate change resilience. However, their impact on diffuse pollution, particularly regarding total organic carbon (TOC) and pollutant mass transport, remains insufficiently understood, especially in aged substrates. This study evaluated and compared the runoff quality from aged GRs and ceramic roofs (CRs) by analyzing TOC, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), first-flush occurrence and intensity, and pollutant release patterns. Results showed that GR retrofitting could help mitigate acid-rain effects due to its elevated pH. Despite higher TOC and EC concentrations in runoff, GRs remained within acceptable water quality limits and exhibited a more gradual release of organic matter over time compared with CRs. Statistical analysis revealed that pollutant concentrations in CR runoff followed Lognormal and Weibull distributions, while GR runoff was best described by Normal, Lognormal, and Weibull distributions. These findings reinforce GRs as a viable stormwater management strategy but highlight the need for full runoff treatment when used for rainwater harvesting. The results also emphasize the importance of tailored statistical models to enhance runoff predictions and optimize GR performance in urban water management. The results provide valuable insights for urban planners and policymakers by reinforcing the potential of GRs in stormwater quality management and supporting the development of incentives for green infrastructure. Future research should expand to different GR configurations, climates, and maintenance practices to enhance the understanding of long-term hydrological and water quality performance. Full article

Rainfall partitioning, a crucial process in shaping the local hydrological cycle, governs canopy interception and subsequent soil water recharge. While canopy structure and meteorological conditions fundamentally regulate this process, the role of plant self-organization and its interactions with meteorological drivers (non-precipitation variables in particular) remain underexplored. To address this gap, we investigated rainfall partitioning components, including the amount, intensity, efficiency, and temporal dynamics of throughfall and stemflow, in clumped and scattered Vitex negundo L. var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder shrubs in the Yangjuangou catchment of the Chinese Loess Plateau during the 2021–2022 rainy seasons. Despite comparable net precipitation (clumped: 83.5% vs. scattered: 84.2% of incident rains), divergent rainfall partitioning strategies emerged. Clumped V. negundo exhibited greater stemflow (8.6% vs. 5.2%), characterized by enhanced intensity, efficiency, and favorable temporal dynamics. Conversely, scattered shrubs favored throughfall generation (79.0% vs. 74.9%). Consistent with previous research, rainfall amount was recognized as the primary control on partitioning rains. Furthermore, our integrated analysis, combining machine learning with variance decomposition, highlighted the critical roles of antecedent canopy wetness (4 h pre-event leaf wetness) and wind speed thresholds (e.g., low wind vs. gust) in regulating partitioning efficiency and temporal dynamics. These findings advance the mechanistic understanding of the interplay between plant self-organization and hydrological processes, demonstrating how morphological adaptations in V. negundo optimize water harvesting in semi-arid ecosystems. This addressed the need to incorporate dynamic interplays between plant structure (specifically, self-organized patterns) and meteorological factors (particularly non-precipitation variables) into ecohydrological models, especially for improved predictions in water-limited regions. Full article

Agricultural runoff ranks second only to atmospheric deposition as a source of nitrogen pollution to streams in the southeastern United States. Climate-smart practices such as irrigation have the potential to reduce these impacts and provide resilience in the face of climate change. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of irrigation amounts and fertilizer application strategies on surface nitrate export to surrounding steams. Data from an existing experiment on corn nitrogen fertilization in the Southeastern US was utilized and a crop simulation model was employed to simulate the water and nitrogen dynamics within the soil with particular emphases on nutrient uptake and residual nutrients. left in the soil after harvest under varying fertilization scenarios. A hydrologic and nutrient export model was developed to run in conjunction with the crop model to simulate lateral export from the fields. The results of this study indicate that climate and nutrient management are the dominant factors in determining surface nutrient transport under both rain fed and irrigated conditions, confirming previous studies. The overall results show that irrigation, on average, reduced nutrient export from the surface, especially in dry years. The effect is even greater if the nutrients are applied later in the year while irrigation is on-going. While this present study provides an initial look at the potential impacts of irrigation on nutrient export in humid areas, the available on-farm observational data is limited in its content. However, the results obtained support existing literature and provide further evidence on the impact of irrigation as a climate resilient practice and will help direct future studies in the region. Full article

Water management is a significant aspect of sustainable vegetable farming, especially in water-scarce regions. This, in addition to weed infestations, limits vegetable yields, which negatively affect food security in developing regions, particularly East Africa, where livelihoods chiefly depend on rain-fed agriculture. Vegetable farming, especially tomato cultivation, requires more water. By promoting mulching, a soil water conservation tool, we can control surface evaporation (E), which, together with irrigation, enhances effective water use and vegetable yields. The experiments for this study were conducted at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, Japan, to evaluate the influences of different irrigation conditions and poly-mulching on weed control, tomato yields, and water use efficiency. The study was conducted from May to September 2018 on a 30 m² plot in an open-ended greenhouse using drip irrigation for tomato cultivation. Three predetermined irrigation conditions of 4, 3, and 2 mm/day were applied on black poly-mulched and bare ridges. Data on soil conditions—soil temperature, as well as meteorological variables, including solar radiation and temperature—were measured using thermocouple sensors and micro-hobo weather stations, respectively, during the tomato cultivation, while yield components—growth, yield, water productivity, and sugar content—were determined after harvest. The results of a two-way ANOVA show that irrigation conditions with poly-mulching reduced the weed biomass significantly, and improved yields and water use efficiency compared to the irrigation conditions on bare ridges. The application of 4, 3, and 2 mm/day irrigation with poly-mulching significantly reduced the weed biomass by 5% compared to the same irrigation conditions on bare ridges. Similarly, 4 and 3 mm/day irrigation conditions with poly-mulching significantly increased the tomato yield by 5% compared to 2 mm/day on bare ridges. The bigger roots were concentrated and widely distributed at the shallow soil depth (0–20 cm) of the ridges with high irrigation amounts, while the small and thin roots were in deeper soil layers (30–45 cm). This study provides scientific knowledge on the application of predetermined irrigation conditions that can be (i) integrated into irrigation scheduling and (ii) adopted for regions facing water scarcity and limited or no in situ meteorological data, to improve water use efficiency for vegetable cultivation. Full article

Water conservation in arid and semi-arid regions faces significant challenges due to low and irregular rainfall, worsened by climate change, which negatively affects rain-fed crop productivity. Various techniques, including supplemental irrigation using runoff harvesting ponds, aim to address these issues but often suffer from water loss due to infiltration, influenced by the pond liner type. This study uses a factorial analysis to assess the farmers’ perceptions of four pond sealing techniques. Using the Waso-2 method, a survey conducted in 2022 among 41 rainwater harvesting pond owners across three regions of Burkina Faso revealed that farmers prioritized impermeability and ease of maintenance over cost and availability. Concrete, scoring 16/20, was the most preferred, chosen by over 75% of farmers for its durability and resistance to weathering, despite its high cost. Geomembrane, with a score of 12/20, was valued for its waterproofing properties but had durability concerns. Clay, although cheap and available, scored 8/20 due to poor waterproofing on unstable ground. Bitumen, the least favored with a score of 6/20, was hindered by scarcity and lack of familiarity. To enhance supplemental irrigation in Burkina Faso and similar regions, waterproof concrete or durable geomembrane liners are recommended. Further research into improving bitumen and clay liners is also suggested. These findings provide key insights into farmers’ preferences, offering guidance for developing effective water conservation strategies to boost agricultural productivity and address food security challenges in the context of climate change. Full article

In a tropical savanna climate like Thailand, cassava can be planted all year round and harvested at 8 to 12 months after planting (MAP). However, it is not clear how water limitation during the dry season without rain affects carbon assimilation, partitioning, and yield. In this field investigation, six cassava genotypes were planted in the rainy season (August 2021) under continuous irrigation (control) or subjected to drought for 60 days from 3MAP to 5MAP during the dry season (November 2021 to January 2022) with no irrigation and rainfall. After that, the plants were rewatered and continued growing until harvest at 12MAP. After 60 days of stress, there were significant reductions in the mean net photosynthesis rate (Pn), petiole, and root dry weight (DW), and slight reductions in leaf, stem, and tuber DW. The mean starch concentrations were reduced by 42% and 16% in leaves and tubers, respectively, but increased by 12% in stems. At 6MAP after 30 days of rewatering, Pn fully recovered, and stem starch was remobilized resulting in a dramatic increase in the DW of all the organs. Although the mean tuber DW of the drought plants at 6MAP was significantly lower than that of the control, it was significantly higher at 12MAP. Moreover, the mean tuber starch concentration at 12MAP of the drought plants (18.81%) was also significantly higher than that of the controls (16.46%). In the drought treatment, the high-yielding varieties, RY9, RY72, KU50, and CMR38-125-77 were similarly productive in terms of tuber DW and starch concentration while the breeding line CM523-7 produced the lowest tuber biomass and significantly lower starch content. Therefore, for cassava planted in the rainy season in the tropical savanna climate, the exposure to drought during the early growth stage was more beneficial than the continuous irrigation. Full article