Quantification of the impact of hydrology on agricultural production as a result of too dry, too wet or too saline conditions

Abstract

Abstract. For calculating the effects of hydrological measures on agricultural production in the Netherlands a new comprehensive and climate proof method is being developed: WaterVision Agriculture (in Dutch: Waterwijzer Landbouw). End users have asked for a method that considers current and future climate, that can quantify the differences between years and also the effects of extreme weather events. Furthermore they would like a method that considers current farm management and that can distinguish three different causes of crop yield reduction: drought, saline conditions or too wet conditions causing oxygen shortage in the root zone. WaterVision Agriculture is based on the hydrological simulation model SWAP and the crop growth model WOFOST. SWAP simulates water transport in the unsaturated zone using meteorological data, boundary conditions (like groundwater level or drainage) and soil parameters. WOFOST simulates crop growth as a function of meteorological conditions and crop parameters. Using the combination of these process-based models we have derived a meta-model, i.e. a set of easily applicable simplified relations for assessing crop growth as a function of soil type and groundwater level. These relations are based on multiple model runs for at least 72 soil units and the possible groundwater regimes in the Netherlands. So far, we parameterized the model for the crops silage maize and grassland. For the assessment, the soil characteristics (soil water retention and hydraulic conductivity) are very important input parameters for all soil layers of these 72 soil units. These 72 soil units cover all soils in the Netherlands. This paper describes (i) the setup and examples of application of the process-based model SWAP-WOFOST, (ii) the development of the simplified relations based on this model and (iii) how WaterVision Agriculture can be used by farmers, regional government, water boards and others to assess crop yield reduction as a function of groundwater characteristics or as a function of the salt concentration in the root zone for the various soil types.

Satellite Thermography for Soil Salinity Assessment of Cropped Areas in Uzbekistan

“…Soil salinization is a major driver of land degradation, which usually goes hand in hand with accelerated soil erosion rates, agricultural mismanagement, overgrazing, mining, and deforestation (Novara et al, 2015;Seutloali & Beckedahl, 2015;Gómez-Acata et al, 2016). Salinization of soils is a consequence of both natural processes and human interference (Oo et al, 2015;Young et al, 2015;Hack-ten Broeke et al, 2016;Panagea et al, 2016). Salinity particularly affects arid and semi-arid regions.…”

Establishment of a Cultivation Mode of Glycine soja, the Bridge of Phytoremediation and Industrial Utilization

“…What is worse, 20%-50% of irrigated lands were reported to be threatened by salt stress [34]. Over the past few decades, soil salinization has resulted in a reduction of more than 1/2 of the production of major global crops [35][36][37]. Salt stress is a combination of ionic stress due to the chaotropic effects of incoming Na + and Cl − and osmotic stress resulting from a decrease in water potential [38].…”

Dynamics of Agrarian Systems and Land Use Change in North Vietnam

“…Through long-term development, an agrarian system in a given region can be born, develop, decline, and succeed from one system to another in an evolutionary series (Mazoyer & Roudart, 2006;Yu et al, 2013). If we do not research and understand the agrarian system, we cannot practice appropriate strategies to improve soil, water, and other natural resources (Mekonnen et al, 2015;Rodrigo-Comino et al, 2016;Hack-ten Broeke et al, 2016;Galati et al, 2016;Novara et al, 2016). This evolutionary series, together with the complexity theory, might be used to inform an adaptive perspective of farm management.…”