Group n. 1

1
Group n. 1

• Agronomic practices and technical tools to
  improve WUE and WP and save water in agriculture

2

• - WUE refers to outputs /inputs , broad term
• may relate to Performance and WP
• Performance is more related to Engineering has a
  wider meaning (efficiency, reliability, ..)
• WP is more related to economics

3

• 5 Tools have been identified for a better WUE
  leading to sustainable improvement of agriculture
  and water saving
• Associated research needs are presented as
  discussed among participants

4
1-Deficit Irrigation

• Controlled DI (e.g. private wells), large
  potential for application. It requires knowledge
  on impact of stress on crops (positive or
  negative)
• Imposed DI (e.g. collective systems), because of
  (i) shortage of water, or (ii) inappropriate
  distribution systems.
• Adoption requires development of mechanisms at
  institutional level (reduced areas or reduced
  amounts of water during the low demand period)

5
2- Shift to better crops

• From fruits to vegetables
• Identification of appropriate areas, i.g.
  citrus / off season vegetables
• From species to species for less water quality
  or quantity requirements (fruit trees / date
  palms)
• Mixed and intercropping systems (pistachio/
  vines, trees/vegetables)

6
3 - Agricultural Practices

• Management of nitrogen for canopy growth control
• Control of weeds and soil evaporation

7
4 Adoption of New technologies

• Irrigation systems (e.g. drip irrigation)
• Irrigation scheduling
• - These require commitments to supply water in
  convenient way in collective irrigation systems
• - Have large potential in private wells

8
5- Manipulation of physical env.

• Multi-span greenhouses
• Plastic mulching
• Water harvesting incorporated to greenhouses

9
Other research needs

• Integration of knowledge on applied water, crop
  requirements and Irrigation systems
• Criteria for optimum water allocation between
  crops
• Criteria for choosing appropriate crops
• Integration of information on climate change in
  water management strategies