Loading...
Publication
Simulating water application efficiency in pressurized irrigation systems: a computational approach
| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.99 MB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The agricultural sector faces growing environmental and societal pressures to balance natural resource use with food security, particularly within the Water-EnergyFood-Ecosystems Nexus (WEFE). Increasing water demand, competition, and challenges like droughts and desertification are driving the need for innovative irrigation practices. Pressurized irrigation systems, such as sprinkler and micro-irrigation, are gaining prominence due to their automation, labor savings, and increased water application
efficiency. To support farmers in designing and managing these systems, the R&D project AGIR developed a computational tool that simulates water application efficiency
under site-specific conditions. The tool integrates key parameters, including system design, scheduling, soil properties, topography, meteorological data, and vegetation
cover, providing a robust methodological framework with classification criteria for evaluating irrigation options. Validated using data from six case studies, the tool achieved
simulated irrigation efficiencies of 73% to 90%, which are consistent with field observations. By simplifying complex irrigation requirement calculations, the model offers
a user-friendly alternative while maintaining accuracy at the farm level. This innovative tool enables stakeholders to optimize irrigation systems, reduce water losses, and
establish standardized recommendations for design, management, performance, and socio-economic considerations. It represents a significant step forward in supporting
sustainable water management and advancing the goals of Agriculture 4.0.
Description
Keywords
Application efficiency Computational tool Good practices Irrigation systems On-farm irrigation layout
Citation
Carriço, N., Felícissimo, D., Antunes, A., Luz, P.B. (2025). Simulating water application efficiency in pressurized irrigation systems: A computational approach. Water, 17, 1217. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w17081217