N. Sigrimis (AUA-GR), C. Stangellini (IMAG-NL), M. Fuchs (ARO-IL), J.
Papadopoulos (ARI-CY),
F. Tognoni (UNIPI-IT), P. Lorenzo (CIFA-ES), Abou-Hadid (CLAC-EG), J. Wady (AAUG-PA)
Abstract
The objective of this project is to develop a context sensitive
strategy for managing irrigation and nutrient supply of protected crops with constraints
on the quantity and quality of water supply. The economical (quality and quantity
of crop yield) and the ecological (contamination risks of water table, nature
conservation) factors affecting the strategic decisions will also be considered. Moreover
the research of this project will advance our knowledge about plant response to salinity
and water stress. These new findings will be combined with new management techniques
into developing a Decision Support System for farmers.
Goals |
Tools |
Specific Objectives |
Increase fresh water use
efficiency of protected cultivation |
Minimise fresh water use |
- To determine environmental impact for selected protected-horticulture
crops, for different root media and salt content of available water.
- To develop irrigation/fertigation recipes for main vegetables under
protected conditions based on soil fertility, growth stage and yield-quality targets.
|
Increase utility of low-quality water |
- To compile/determine yield response to salinity of the major crops.
- To determine a strategy for climate management with high salinity of
irrigation (CO2 injection, shading, humidification), in order to mitigate
salinity damage and exploit the potential for better quality with salty root environment.
- To determine a strategy to minimise salt accumulation rate in
a closed-loop irrigation system, in dependence of water and nutrients uptake and of root
medium characteristics.
|
Decrease their reliance on
good quality water |
Strategies to maximise use of lower
quality water |
- To determine cost-benefit of possible farm level investments (rain
harvesting, drain water recycling, use of wastewater, reverse-osmosis, disposal of
residuals), depending on available water resources and type of crops.
- To determine a strategy for management of water sources of varying
quality, under given constraint of input of fresh water and/or of release of residuals.
- To determine feasibility of cascade combinations of crops of increasing
salt-tolerance.
|
Ensure application of new management |
- A Decision support system
that aims to maximise return under given constraints
in water, water quality and release of chemicals.
- To develop a farmers guide and "rules of thumb"
translated to all
participating languages.
- Dissemination and short courses
for extension specialists.
|
Preliminary first year results on Salinity tolerance, recirculated water management and
water use efficiency are presented.