Does partial root-zone drying improve irrigation water productivity in the field? A meta-analysis |
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| Authors: | V O Sadras |
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| Institution: | (1) South Australian Research & Development Institute and The University of Adelaide, Waite Campus, Adelaide, 5001, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Partial root-zone drying improves irrigation water productivity (IWP, yield per unit applied irrigation water) with respect
to controls receiving substantially more water, but similar gains are often achieved with conventional deficit irrigation.
This paper presents a meta-analysis of IWP for a broad range of horticultural crops and environments. Two comparisons were
preformed: (a) crops managed with either partial root-zone drying or conventional deficit irrigation against controls receiving
substantially more water than the two water-saving techniques, (b) crops managed with partial root-zone drying and their counterparts
with conventional irrigation where both received similar amounts of irrigation. In relation to controls receiving substantially
more water, conventional deficit irrigation increased IWP by an average 76% and partial root-zone drying by 82%; the gains
from both water-saving methods were statistically undistinguishable. Yield per unit applied irrigation water of crops under
partial root-zone drying was significantly (P = 0.007) but modestly (5%) higher than in their counterparts with conventional irrigation where both received similar amounts
of irrigation. In 80% of cases the difference in IWP between the two methods was in the ±20% range. Considering the cost and
management complexity of implementing partial root-zone drying, it is critical to identify the rare conditions where this
method could be economically justified. |
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