Work

Precision irrigation and fertilization strategies for sustainable cotton-wheat systems in water-scarce regions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Efficient irrigation and nutrient management are essential for sustaining agricultural productivity and enhancing water use efficiency in water-scarce agro-ecosystems. This two-year field study evaluated the integrated potential of sub-surface drip irrigation (SSDI), nitrogen fertigation, and foliar nutrient application to optimize water productivity and yield in a cotton-wheat cropping system (CWCS). A factorial randomized complete block design was employed, testing three irrigation levels—60 %, 80 %, and 100 % of crop evapotranspiration (ET c )—all applied through SSDI, along with two nitrogen fertigation rates (80 % and 100 % of the recommended dose), and two nutrient delivery methods (foliar spray vs. soil fertigation of KNO 3 and MgSO 4 ), alongside three control treatments (surface drip (SDI) and flood irrigation (FI)). SSDI at 80 % ET c achieved 7.97 % and 10.14 % higher productivity than 60 % ET c and FI respectively, while maintaining a yield comparable to 100 % ET c , thereby saving 20 % irrigation water without compromising performance. Compared to SDI and FI, it also reduced water use by 25 % and 36 %, respectively. Foliar nutrient application significantly improved crop (5.3 % higher) and water productivity (3.1 %) as well as profitability (2.6 % higher gross income and 2.7 % higher net income) over soil fertigation, while enabling nitrogen input reductions to 90 kg N ha −1 for cotton (from a recommended 112 kg ha −1 ) and 100 kg N ha −1 for wheat (from 125 kg ha −1 ), with sustained yields and improved input-use efficiency. Relative to flood irrigation, SSDI at 80 % ET c increased crop productivity by 8.2 %, apparent water productivity by 62.5 %, total water productivity by 6.2 % and partial factor productivity by 21.1 %. Additionally, SSDI at 80 % ET c resulted in 6.5 % higher gross returns and 5.2 % higher net returns compared to FI. These results underscore that integrating SSDI at 80 % ET c with reduced nitrogen fertigation, and foliar nutrient application offers a scalable, resource-efficient strategy for sustainable intensification of CWCS in semi-arid regions.

Source: Agricultural Water Management

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2025.109669

Authors: Tarandeep Kaur, Pawan K. Sharma, A.S. Brar, Sukhpreet Singh, Surinder Singh

Institution: Punjab Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Irrigation Practices and Water Management

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,070