Assessing On-Farm Irrigation Water Use Efficiency in Southern Ontario

Abstract

For high-value horticultural crop production in southern Ontario, irrigation is an essential ingredient in overcoming insufficient rainfall and achieving stabilized crop production. In a context where competition for limited water resources intensifies due to the expansion of the agricultural sector, increasing urban development and tourism, and potential climate change impacts, conserving water through efficient irrigation has become a key solution in addressing this growing challenge. The implementation of advanced soil water monitoring technologies and water budgeting methods for improved irrigation scheduling is examined with regard to water conservation and thus as a means to cope with competing demands for limited water supplies. During the 2007 growing season, soil moisture was measured using two sensors at four field sites (comprising a total of six irrigated zones as two sites include two different irrigation/production systems) in southern Ontario. Irrigation water consumption was measured by flow meters at three sites. In addition, a survey was administered to collect information on growers' current irrigation scheduling practices. On-farm irrigation performance was assessed by comparing calculated tomato, green bell pepper, strawberry and peach water requirements (using the water budget method) with growers' estimates of irrigation water use and with soil moisture measurements taken during the growing season. Four out of the six irrigated zones were excessively irrigated, while in one zone, water was insufficiently applied. The crop water requirements were met efficiently exclusively in one zone where tomatoes were grown. Overall, the results of this research show that by implementing advanced soil moisture monitoring technologies, growers can increase precision in water application and reduce the uncertainty in their current irrigation scheduling practices.Résumé : Dans le sud de l'Ontario, l'irrigation est essentielle à la production de cultures horticoles à haute valeur ajoutée afin de compenser l'insuffisance de précipitations et stabiliser la production des cultures. Dans un contexte où la compétition pour les ressources limitées en eau s'intensifie en réponse à l'expansion du secteur agricole, à la croissance du développement urbain et du tourisme, ainsi qu'aux impacts potentiels des changements climatiques, conserver l'eau grâce à des techniques d'irrigation économes est devenue une solution incontournable pour affronter ce défi grandissant. L'implémentation de technologies avancées de surveillance de la teneur en eau dans le sol et d'un bilan hydrique, pour améliorer 116 Canadian Water Resources Journal/Revue canadienne des ressources hydriques

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