Innovations in Micro Irrigation Technology PDF

PREFACE

Due to increased agricultural production, irrigated land has increased in the arid and sub-humid zones around the world. Agriculture has started to compete for water use with industries, municipalities and other sectors. This increasing demand along with increments in water and energy costs have made it necessary to develop new technologies for the adequate management of water. The intelligent use of water for crops requires understanding of evapotranspiration processes and use of efficient irrigation methods.

Every day, news on water scarcity appears throughout the world, indicating that government agencies at central/state/local level, research and educational institutions, industry, sellers and others are aware of the urgent need to adopt micro irrigation technology that can have an irrigation efficiency up to 90% compared to 30–40% for the conventional gravity irrigation systems. I stress the urgent need to implement micro irrigation systems in water scarcity regions.

Among all irrigation systems, micro irrigation has the highest irrigation efficiency and is most efficient. Micro irrigation is sustainable and is one of the best management practices. Micro irrigation systems are often used for farms and large gardens, but are equally effective in the home garden or even for houseplants or lawns. The water crisis is getting worse throughout the world, including India, Middle East and Puerto Rico where I live. We can therefore conclude that the problem of water scarcity is rampant globally, creating the urgent need for water conservation. The use of micro irrigation systems is expected to result in water savings, increased crop yields in terms of volume and quality. The other important benefits of using micro irrigation systems include expansion in the area under irrigation, water conservation, optimum use of fertilizers and chemicals through water, and decreased labor costs, among others. Recently, it has been proven that recycled wastewater can be used in drip irrigation with an adequate filtration system. The worldwide population is increasing at a rapid rate and it is imperative that food supply keeps pace with this increasing population.

The mission of this compendium is to serve as a reference manual for graduate and under graduate students of agricultural, biological and civil engineering; horticulture, soil science, crop science and agronomy. I hope that it will be a valuable reference for professionals that work with microirrigation/ wastewater, and water management; for professional training institutes, technical agricultural centers, irrigation centers, Agricultural Extension Service, and other agencies that work with micro irrigation programs.

After my first textbook on drip/trickle or micro irrigation management by Apple Academic Press Inc., and response from International readers, I was motivated to bring out for the world community this ten-volume informative series on “Research Advances in Sustainable Micro Irrigation.” This book series will complement other books on micro irrigation that are currently available on the market, and my intention is not to replace any one of these. This book series is unique because it is simple with worldwide applicability to irrigation management in agriculture. This series is a must for those interested in irrigation planning and management, namely, researchers, scientists, educators and students.

The contribution by all cooperating authors to this book series has been most valuable in the compilation of this volume. Their names are mentioned in each chapter and in the list of contributors of each volume. This book would not have been written without the valuable cooperation of these investigators, many of whom are renowned scientists who have worked in the field of micro irrigation throughout their professional careers. I am glad to introduce Dr. Vinod Kumar Tripathi and Vishal K. Chavan as Co-editors for this volume. Dr. Tripathi is an Assistant Professor and Distinguished Research Scientist in Wastewater Use in Micro Irrigation at Center for Water Engineering and Management, Central University of Jharkhand Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Engineer Chavan is an Assistant Professor-cum- Senior Research Fellow in Micro Irrigation and Dryland Agriculture at Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Akola, Maharashtra, India. Both have contributed to AAP book series on micro irrigation. Without their support and extraordinary work, readers will not have this quality publication

I will like to thank editorial staff, Sandy Jones Sickels, Vice President, and Ashish Kumar, Publisher and President at Apple Academic Press, Inc., (http://appleacademicpress.com/contact.html) for making every effort to publish the book when the diminishing water resources is a major issue worldwide. Special thanks are due to the AAP production staff for their work on the manuscript and for the quality production of this book.

We request that the reader offer us your constructive suggestions that may help to improve the next edition

I express my deep admiration to my family for understanding and collaboration during the preparation of this ten volume book series. Throughout my professional career, I have been able to apply my expertise in “micro irrigation technology” to come up with new ideas/developments, etc. in order alleviate problems of water scarcity and salinity. My salute to those who are involved in micro irrigation technology for their interest, devotion, and vocation. As an educator, there is a piece of advice to one and all in the world: “Permit that our Almighty God, our Creator and excellent Teacher, irrigate the life with His Grace of rain trickle by trickle, because our life must continue trickling on…”