The typical image of the Gezira Scheme, the large-scale irrigation scheme started under British colonial rule in Sudan, is of a centrally planned effort by a central colonial power controlling tenants and cotton production. However, any idea(l)s of planned irrigation and profit in Gezira had to be realized by African farmers and European officials, who both had their own agendas. Projects like Gezira are best understood in terms of continuous negotiations. This book rewrites Gezira's history in terms of colonial control, farmers' actions and resistance, and the broader development debate.

A Tradition in Transition presents an in-depth assessment of the century-old Wadi Laba indigenous spate irrigation system in Eritrea. This system has relied on earthern and brushwood structures and customary water rules to support subsistence livelihoods of the Wadi Laba communities for many years. The book presents original research, which analyzes the effectiveness of contemporary water laws and a new headwork in improving production and standard of living. It also compares the lack of success of these new approaches with traditional methods of water management.

Volume 3 takes the subject of better land husbandry further. The book first points out the sort of things which have been, and are being used, but are failing to deliver what is required. It then explains the causes of erosion, the theory and practice of soil and water conservation, and practical and lasting ways to construct terraces, including such details as how to build different kinds of terrace walls. Nothing grows from the top down, as also with soil improvement. It explains in detail the way of achieving practical and sustainable soil and water conservation, practical ways in which farmers can themselves make and use practical and lasting ways to construct terraces, including such details as how to build different kinds of terrace walls.

Egypt is a country of tremendous land resources but limited water resources The area of cultivated land is only 3.2% of the gross area. The river Nile is the main sources of water. In the recent years the Governement established large-scale agricultural projects in light of food security related to the population growth. Expansion of irrigated agriculture has to be predomantly relalized bt increasing the water use efficiency. In Egypt, the dominant irrigation method is surface irrigation, which covers approximately 83% of the irrigated areas. Surface irrigation or gravity methods are generally characterized by a low efficiency. One opportunity to increase the efficiency is to convert surface irrigation to modern irrigation systems, which are generaly highly expensive for a country like Egypt. Another option to increase the efficiency of surface irrigation systems is to convert the traditional irrigation method based on continuous flow to surge flow irrigation. Surge flow irrigation is the intermittent application of water to furrows in a series of relatively short on and off time periods. This study has been carried out to demonstrate the applicability of surge flow irrigation for water saving under the short field conditions that prevail in Egypt. The results indicate that surge flow irrigation is an effective irrigation method to save water and to increase crop production.

This book, first published in 1990 and reprinted here, is a comprehensive, state-of-the art reference on the design principles and management techniques of two primary agricultural irrigation methods. The book presents a systematic approach to the optimal design, management and operation of these two systems. Focusing on the synthesis of the entire design process, the authors present the chapters in the sequence used to design systems with the analytical material presented and demonstrated in a concise manner. For the first time in any book, Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation offers complete design strategies and presentations for all of the major types of sprinkle and trickle systems: - Periodic-move - Center-pivot - Traveling sprinkler - Linear-moving - Set sprinkler - Drip, spray and line-source Sequential sample calculations that involve the steps in the design of typical irrigation systems are used extensively. As the book progresses, these calculations become more comprehensive and are linked together to form complete design packages for the various types of pressurized systems. The book also presents a section on selecting pressurized irrigation systems, a review of soil-plant-water relationships, unique insight into pipeline hydraulics and economics, design specifications for fertilization and frost control, a glossary and an annotated bibliography of ASAE Standards for Pressurized Irrigation Systems. Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation is an important practical reference for agricultural engineers, irrigation system designers and agricultural managers, as well as a vital text for professors and researchers in agricultural engineering. "Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation presents beginning-to-end coverage of the processes and computations needed in the planning and design of sprinkle and trickle irrigation systems. The textbook is created for the thinking person who desires more than cookie-cutter recipes or simple, routine "rule-of-thumb" designs. Rather, the authors of Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation present concise rationale and philosophy behind each computation formula, figure and table. They decouple "recommended" design parameters into underlying components that can be recoupled at the time of the design to apply to specific cases and situations. In the process, the reader gains visualization skills that allow him/her to peer "inside" an irrigation system, both hydraulically, economically, and operationally. Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation is a classic design text and reference that should be on every practitioner's desk. The chapters on center-pivot, linear-move and travelling sprinklers go well beyond other current texts. Solid and encompassing economics are infused into all design topics, including application, distribution, and pumping systems. I have lectured out of Sprinkle and Trickle Irrigation for twelve years at the university-senior level. I am confident that all students who completed this design course know not only how to design efficient and effective pressurized irrigation systems, but also know why they use the procedures that they use." Dr. Richard G. Allen, Professor, University of Idaho

Contents:
Preface. Acknowledgement. Managing Water Quality. Application tf the Root Zone Water Quality Model for Environment-Water Management In Agricultural Systems - L. R. Ahuja, L Ma, J. D. Hanson and R. S Kanwar. Assessing Atrazine In Irrigated Soil Profiles - A. S. Azevedo, R. S. Kanwar and L. S. Pereira. Influence of Sub-Surface Drainage On Herbicide Management In Low-Land Areas - D. Cruiciani, G. C. Baptista, P. J. Christoffoleti and K. Minami. Effects Of The Traditional and No-Tillage Systems Upon Runoff and Herbicide Transport - F. J. B. Teixeira and G. Basch. First Results on Controlled Drainage to Reduce Nitrate Losses From Agricultural Sites - M. Borin, G. Bonaiti and L. Giardini. Nitrate Movement in Level Basins: Reduced Versus Conventional Soil Tillage - D. V. Santos, P. L. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Impact of Agricultural Developments on Water Contamination and Environmental Sustainability - R. S. Kanwar. Effect of Irrigation with Saline Water on Soil and Crop in South-West Spain - M. M. Ridao, F. Moreno, F. Cabrera, J. E. Fernandez, M. J. Palomo and E. Fernandez-Boy. Soil Hydraulic Parameters For Environmental and Leaching Studies - M. C. Gonçalves, R. M. Fernando and L. S. Pereira. Reducing Acid Pollution From Reclaimed Acid Sulphate Soils: Experiences from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam - T. P. Tuong, L. Q. Minh, D. V. Ni and M. E. F. Van Mensvoort. Control Of Furrow Erosion and Infiltration on a Mediterranean Soil Using Polyacrylamide - F. L. Santos, R. P. Serralheiro, F. S. Melhorado and M. R. Oliveira. Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Pollution Using the Drastic Method. Application to the Alqueva Area - J. P. Lobo-Ferreira and M. M. Oliveira. Managing the Effects Of Agricultural Practices on Groundwater Quality - M. C. Caputo, G. Passarella, M. Vurro and G. Giuliano. Managing Demand. Environmental Criteria in a Decision Support System for Surface Irrigation Design - J. M. Gonçalves, L. S. Pereira And P. L. Sousa. Surface Irrigation Efficiency in Cracking Soils as Influenced by Water Restrictions - A. Zairi, A. Slatni, J. C. Mailhol and H. Achour. Furrow Surge Irrigation as a Water Saving Technique - I. Varlev, Z. Popova and I. Gospodinov. Evaluation of Performance of Surface Irrigation Systems: Optimization of Infiltration and Roughness Parameters - M. J. Calejo, P. L. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Real Time Management of Furrow Irrigation with a Cablegation System - S. Shahidian, R. P. Serralheiro and L. L. Silva. Predicting Runoff Under Sprinkler Irrigation Using Eurosem - B. Ghorbani. Performance Of Centre Pivot Systems In Field Practice - J. Montero, J. M. Tarjuelo, F. T. Honrubia, J. Ortiz, P. Carrión, J. A. De Juan And M. Calvo. Optimization Of Water Application For Sprinkler Irrigation - V. P. S. Paz, J. A. Frizzone, T. A. Botrel and M. V. Folegatti. New Non-Water Stressed Baselines for Irrigation Scheduling with Infrared Thermometers - I. Alves and L. S. Pereira. Crop Water Stress Index for Beans Obtained from Temperature Difference Between Canopy and Air - P. E. P. Albuquerque, R. L. Gomide and A. E. Klar. Real-Time Irrigation Scheduling Model for Cotton - Y. H. Li and B. Dong. Using Sap Flow Measurements to Quantify Water Consumption in the Olive Tree - M. J. Palomo, A. Díaz-Espejo, J. E. Fernández, I. F. Girón and F. Moreno. Water-Yield Function of Rice and Its Temporal and Spatial Variation - Z. Mao and Y. L. Cui. managing Supply in Irrigation Systems. Participatory Research on Technical Interventions to Improve Irrigation Performance: Informing Perceptions - B. A. Lankford and J. W. Gowing. Canal Inspectors Know-How in Water Management - R. Bustos, M. Marre, J. Chambouleyron and S. Salatino. Demand Management by Irrigation Delivery Scheduling - N. Hatcho. Performance Analysis of On-Demand Pressurized Irrigation Systems - N. Lamaddalena and L. S. Pereira. New Approaches To Design and Performance Analysis Of Low Pressure Distribution Systems - A. Douieb, R. Bounoua, L. S. Pereira, P. L. Sousa and N. Lamaddalena. Effective Monitoring Of Canal Irrigation With Minimum Or No Flow Measurement - B. A. Lankford. Canal Water Delivery System Automation. A Case Study - M. Rijov and V. Paulo. Waterproofing Mira, Campilhas, Senhora Do Porto Canals with Drained Geomembranes - J. L. Machado Do Vale, A. M. Scuero and G. L. Vaschetti. Minimum Level Of Water Demand For A Profitable Operation Of An Irrigation Scheme - I. Nicolaescu and E. Manole. Spatial Distribution Of Irrigation Water Requirements Using Geostatistical Analysis - V. Sousa and L. S. Pereira. Rice Production In Floodplains: Issues For Water Management In Bangladesh - J. J. F. Barr and J. W. Gowing. Users Governance Of Irrigation Water: On-Going Reforms and Potentials - Masahiro Nakashima. water Conservation and Hydrologic Behaviour. Reuse Of Return Flows And Local Runoff In Irrigation Systems - J. W. Gowing and P. S. Maheepala. Remote Sensing For Rainwater Harvesting In Mediterranean Agriculture - D. Prinz, T. Oweis and A. Oberle. A Model To Obtain The Hydrograph Of Surface Runoff In Terraced Areas - F. F. Pruski, J. M. A. Silva, L. N. Rodrigues And D. D. Silva. Dynamic Flood Control Along Arterial Drainage Networks, A Case Study - Y. Nedelec, D. Zimmer, C. Chaumont and M. D. Porcheron. River Meadow Programs -Planning In Partnership - H. Patt. Effects Of River Diking On The Water And Slat Regimes Of Flood Plain Soils - F. Statescu, A. Nicolau and V. Tobolcea. Influence Of Tillage System On Water Regime In Irrigated And Rainfed Sunflower Production - G. Basch, J. P. Mendes, M. J. G. P. R. Carvalho, F. Marques and M. J. Santos. Measurements Of Soil Hydraulic Properties In An Olive Orchard Under Drip Irrigation - F. Moreno, J. E. Fernandez, M. J. Palomo, I. F. Girón, J. M. Villau and A. Díaz-Espejo. Effect Of Mulching With Black Polyethylene Sheets On Sweet Pepper Evaporation Losses - G. Ghinassi And L. Neri. coping With Water Scarcity and Drought. Reduced Demand Irrigation Scheduling Under Constraint Of The Irrigation Method - R. M. Fernando, L. S. Pereira, Y. Liu, Y. N. Li And L. G. Cai. Water and Salt Management Strategies In The Aral Sea Basin - V. A. Dukhovny, And V. I. Sokolov. Drought Forecasting As An Aid To Irrigation Water Management - I. Pálfai, G. Y. Szilárd and L. M. Tóth. Characterizing Agricultural Droughts In Eastern Romania - C. Cismaru, I. Bartha, I. Cojocaru, N. Marcoie and V. Gabor. Modeling The Occurrence Of Dry Spells and Their Impact On Crop Yield - S. A. V. Sousa and J. A. Frizzone. Reconnaissance Optimal Sustainable Groundwater Pumping Strategies For The Lower Ghaggar Basin - A. Kumar, R. Shyam, N. K. Tyagi and R. C. Peralta. Irrigation, Sustainable Development and Law - M. Mathus Escorihuela. Comprehensive Criteria For Water Ecosystems Sustainability Assessment - V. I. Sokolov and V. A. Nikolayenko. Subject Index.

This work presents models that characterize the relationships between quantity and quality of irrigation water application, and agricultural production and the environment. A comprehensive modeling approach addressing both the benefits of irrigation and the potential negative effects is introduced. Physical-biological concepts are combined with economic and engineering principles to demonstrate the usefulness of the model for analyzing various water management and policy issues. Decision makers on all levels should find the modeling approach interesting and useful in the management issues from the farm to national levels.

There is increasing competition for water resources in the face of declining aquifer reserves and increasing risk in many areas of drought related to climate change. At the same time poor water management is damaging agriculture with problems such as salinization, waterlogging, erosion and run-off. This volume summarises the wealth of research on understanding and better management of water resources for agriculture. Part 1 reviews fundamental issues such as plant water use and soil water retention. Part 2 discusses ways of mapping and monitoring groundwater and surface water resources whilst Part 3 covers other sources such as rain and floodwater, waste and brackish water. Part 4 surveys developments in irrigation techniques such as drip irrigation and fertigation. The final sections in the book discuss ways of using water resources more efficiently such as site-specific and deficit irrigation techniques. With its distinguished editor and international team of expert authors, this wlll be a standard reference for agronomists, scientists involved in water and irrigation science as well as government and non-governmental organisations responsible for agriculture and water resource management.

This specially curated collection features five reviews of current and key research on improving water management in crop cultivation. The first chapter focuses on site-specific variable rate irrigation systems utilised across agriculture and examines site-specific data acquisition and mining approaches, such as soil mapping and zone delineation. The second chapter considers the main deficit irrigation strategies used in agriculture to improve crop water productivity. It also explores the status of site-specific irrigation management and its role in minimizing agricultural water use. The third chapter reviews progress in winter wheat water management and water-use efficiency (WUE), drawing on long-term field experiments in the U.S. southern Great Plains. It discusses the key relationships between yield, evapotranspiration, WUE and best management practices. The fourth chapter considers the key techniques for improving rice water productivity through enhanced irrigation practices aiming to reduce irrigation water use in rice cultivation, such as the Alternate Wetting and Drying technique. The final chapter examines the main irrigation methods used in dryland sorghum production. It also reviews the relationship between soil properties and irrigation management.

This collection features six peer-reviewed reviews on optimising rootstock health. The first chapter considers recent advances in irrigation techniques used in sustainable vegetable cultivation and reviews the performance and efficiency of these systems. The second chapter details the need to optimise precision in orchard irrigation management, focussing on matching water supply to plant demand as a means of achieving this. The third chapter assesses irrigation management systems for tomato production and how these can be optimised alongside nutrient management to ensure the production of safe and nutritious tomatoes. The fourth chapter summarises the common types of irrigation systems found in soilless culture production, as well as the emergence of new systems, including plant-based sensing and monitoring systems. The fifth chapter highlights the need for more sustainable water use in ornamental production systems and the methods which can be used to achieve this, such as reducing runoff volume. The final chapter considers recent advances in irrigation management in greenhouse cultivation, focussing on water balance, crop evapotranspiration techniques and irrigation scheduling.

This book develops and presents a conceptual model for sustainable-groundwater irrigated agriculture. The model is based on the general principles of the economic theories of cost-benefit relations and behavioral models of resource use. The study has evaluated the advances in tubewell farming and the aquifer potential in arid Balochistan over a period of three decades. It has analyzed the booms and busts of the farming over time taking into consideration the local aquifer limitations and the socio-political considerations and policy framework. Three data sets farmers, expert officials and satellite images - have been used to aid validation. By observing the most vital parameters, the study has concluded that the local aquifer has been falling at a rate directly proportional to the growth rate of irrigated farming, suggesting the current development process is unsustainable. For instance, the research finds that tubewell bores have reached down to depths where the term aquifer mining applies; as a result, irrigation costs have become too high to allow farming to be economically viable. In addition, desertification is steadily encroaching and the cropping pattern being changed from high-value horticulture to subsistence cropping. The study has also set parameters for assessing the willingness of farmers to accept modern, sustainable strategies and interventions."

The global expansion of irrigated lands during the 20th century and beyond continues to contribute to food production, but also degrades the environment significantly. The consequent search for policy remedies has stimulated a vital body of economic research. The issues addressed in this comprehensive collection of previously published articles include the effects of existing government intervention on the environmental impacts of agriculture, the economic costs and benefits of environmental regulations for agriculture, and the economic and environmental merits of alternative mechanisms for water allocation and water quality protection. In this volume the editors present a sampling of economic research on the interface of irrigated agriculture with the environment. The articles included are by leading researchers in this field and span the topics of nonpoint pollution control, salinity management, and the allocation of water.

This book uses resource economics costing approaches incorporating externalities to estimate the returns for the country's irrigation and demonstrates how underestimating the cost of water leads farmers to overestimate profits. The importance of the subject can be judged in light of the fact that India is the largest user of groundwater both for irrigation and for drinking purposes, pumping twice as much as the United States and six times as much as Europe. Despite water's vital role in ensuring economic security for the nation and farmers alike by supporting more than 70% of food production, water resource economists are yet to impress upon farmers and policymakers the true value of water and the urgent need for its sustainable extraction, recharge and use. In an endeavor to promote more awareness, the book further delineates the roles of the demand side and supply side in the economics of irrigation, and explains how the cost of water varies with the efforts to recharge it, crop patterns, degrees of initial and premature well failure and degrees of externalities. It also discusses the importance of micro-irrigation in the economics of saving water for irrigation, estimating the marginal productivity of water and how it improves with drip irrigation, the economics of water sharing and water markets, optimal control theory in sustainable extraction of water, payment of ecosystem services for water and how India can effectively recover. In closing, the book highlights the role of socioeconomic and hydrogeological factors in the economics of irrigation, which vary considerably across hard rock areas and the resulting limitations on generalizing.

Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management is a comprehensive volume on this important topic. It broadly covers the sources, availability, demand, and supply of water and its uses in irrigation and crop production in agriculture. It then delves into many specific aspects of water resource development and management, including Irrigation creation and utilization Water storage efficiency, conveyance efficiency, distribution efficiency, and application efficiency The role of water in plant systems and soil-water-plant relationships Estimating the water need for irrigation along with management strategies Water quality in agriculture as well as the impact of water quality on human health Water pricing Wetland management and water productivity Water pollution in agriculture and water contamination in urban and rural areas Examples and case studies are included to illustrate and reinforce the text, such as reviews of river linking projects, adopted water management technologies for agricultural farms, important irrigation projects (both minor and major), and more.Written by two eminent researchers and scientists in agricultural water management, this informative volume is designed for students of agriculture, researchers, policymakers, and teachers engaged in the field of water management.

Managing Water on China's Farms: Institutions, Policies and the Transformation of Irrigation under Scarcity is a comprehensive and current look at the water shortage problems in China. While China has emerged as a major player in the world economy, water is the most critical factor that limits the country's further growth. China's growing water problems also have a large impact worldwide, with public health as well as economic impacts. If China were to rely heavily on food produced outside of China, the massive volume of food imports would raise food prices internationally. This book examines a series of water issues, beginning with a description of the water shortage problems in China, particularly in the northern part of the country. It then looks at the government and farmers' responses and whether past policies have been effective in resolving the water problems. Managing Water on China's Farms documents the change of existing and new water management institutional forms over time and across provinces throughout northern China, and then assesses the impacts of these changes in the rural sector. Finally, it examines potential solutions that the research has uncovered, answering the question: Who can build the bridge over China's troubled waters? Using analyses from information collected firsthand in China's rural villages, the series of surveys covers diverse geographic regions that are representative of north China and includes perspectives from multiple stakeholders such as village leaders, water managers, and farmers. The policy-oriented research and rich analysis in this book make it of interest to both policy makers and researchers with a focus on China water problems. This book can also be used in a Master or Ph.D. level resource economics course.

The countries that make up the MENA region display wide diversity. One of the poorest countries in the world sits alongside two of the wealthiest, whilst the region's natural resources range from immeasurable oil and gas reserves to some of the scantiest natural endowments anywhere in the world. Yet through this diversity runs a common thread: water scarcity. Now, through the impact of human development and climate change, the water resource itself is changing,bringing new risks and increasing the vulnerability of all those dependent on water. Chris Ward and Sandra Ruckstuhl assess the increased challenges now facing the countries of the region, placing particular emphasis on water scarcity and the resultant risks to livelihoods, food security and the environment. They evaluate the risks and reality of climate change in the region, and offer an assessment of the vulnerability of agriculture and livelihoods. In a final section, they explore the options for responding to the new challenges, including policy, institutional, economic and technical measures.

This book focuses on best management practices for drip irrigated crops. It cover irrigation methods, scheduling of micro irrigation, and mulching and crop performance. Micro irrigation techniques with diverse crops are discussed, including sweet pepper, chili, tomatoes, cauliflower, wheat, sweet peas, sugarcane, and potatoes. The performance of the various techniques has been tested and evaluated in the field. Written by experts on micro irrigation, this valuable book is a must-have for micro irrigation professionals as well as advanced students.

The reuse of wastewater in irrigation is being practiced only recently to solve water scarcity problems in agriculture. Management of water, soil, crop, and operational procedures, including precautions to protect farm workers, play an important role in the successful use of sewage effluent for irrigation. Appropriate water management practices must be followed to prevent salinization. If salt is not flushed out of the root zone by leaching and removed from the soil by effective drainage, salinity problems can build up rapidly. Leaching and drainage are, thus, two important water management practices to avoid salinization of soils. One of the options that may be available to farmers is the blending of treated sewage with conventional sources of water to obtain a blended water of acceptable salinity level. This important book focuses on the use of wastewater as a valuable resource for agricultural micro irrigation purposes. It covers effective wastewater management practices in a variety of climates, including semi-arid regions and others; how to perform effective evaluations to gauge the quality of the water on plants, including potatoes, maize, and eggplant; and the cost-benefit of using wastewater. It addresses the sources of wastewater for irrigation and the problems along with challenges, including water quality, clogging, soil quality, and more. The mission of this compendium is to serve as a reference manual for professionals in biological and civil engineering, horticulture, soil and crop science, and agronomy, as well as for graduate and undergraduate students in related fields. It will be a valuable reference for professionals who work with micro irrigation/wastewater and water management, for technical agricultural centers, irrigation centers, agricultural extension services, and other agencies that work with micro irrigation programs.

1 Introduction.- 2 Systems Approach to Supplemental Irrigation.- 3 Water Balance Calculations.- 4 Regional Application of Water Balance Methods.- 5 Soil Water Relationships.- 6 Movement of Water in Soils.- 7 Darcy Equation.- 8 Soil Water Measurement.- 9 Infiltration.- 10 Field Measurement of Infiltration.- 11 Groundwater Supply.- 12 Water Quality, Irrigation Measurement and Efficiency.- 13 Land Leveling and Simplistic Surveying.- 14 Economics of Supplemental Irrigation.- 15 Evaluation of Supplemental Irrigation.- 16 Introduction to Technology Transfer.- 17 Verification of Supplemental Irrigation of Spring Wheat.- 18 Irrigation of Cereals in Algeria.- 19 Supplemental Irrigation Systems in Cyprus.- 20 Potential of Supplemental Irrigation in Iran.- 21 Supplemental Irrigation Systems of Iraq.- 22 The Farming Systems in Jordan: Rainfed, Water Harvesting, and Supplemental Irrigation.- 23 Supplemental Irrigation and Water Harvesting Systems in Libya.- 24 Supplemental Irrigation Systems in Morocco.- 25 Supplemental Irrigation in Pakistan.- 26 Supplemental Irrigation Systems of the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR).- 27 Cereal Cropping and Supplemental Irrigation in Tunisia.- 28 Supplemental Irrigation in Turkey.- 29 Supplemental Irrigation in Yemen Arab Republic (YAR).- 30 Conclusions.- Appendix Source Materials for Chapters 1-16.

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in agriculture. The first chapter reviews developments in the use of AI techniques to improve the functionality of decision support systems in agriculture. It reviews the use of techniques such as data mining, artificial neural networks, Bayesian networks, support vector machines and association rule mining. The second chapter examines how robotic and AI can be used to improve precision irrigation in vineyards. The chapter pays particular attention to robot-assisted precision irrigation delivery (RAPID), a novel system currently being developed and tested at the University of California in the United States. The third chapter reviews the current state of mechanized collection technology, such as the development of harvest-assist platforms, as well as the possibilities of these machines to incorporate artificial vision systems to perform an in-field pre-grading of the product. The final chapter explores the emergence of the automated assessment of plant diseases and traits through new sensor systems, AI and robotics. The chapter then considers the application of these digital technologies in plant breeding, focussing on smart farming and plant phenotyping.

This book forms the proceedings of the 18th European conference on irrigation and drainage. Water is not a free commodity, and demand is becoming more and more intense for its allocation. This book focuses on the role of irrigation and drainage in the debate on water, and will be used by planners, designers and policy makers internationally.

Management Strategies for Water Use Efficiency and Micro Irrigated Crops presents new research and technologies for making better use of water resources for agricultural purposes. The chapters focus on better management to improve allocation and irrigation water efficiency and look at performance factors as well. Chapters look at irrigation technology, environmental conditions, and scheduling of water application. One section of the book focuses on water management in the cultivation of sugarcane, a very important industrial crop used in many fields. Other sections are devoted to principles and challenging technologies, water use efficiency for drip-irrigated crops, performance of fertigated rice under micro irrigation, and evaluation of performance of drip-irrigated crops. This valuable book is a must for those struggling to find ways to address the need to maintain efficient crop production in the midst of water shortages. With chapters from hands-on experts in the field, the book will be an invaluable reference and guide to effective micro irrigation methods.

An introduction to runoff agriculture - a form of agricultural irrigation - this text describes how the use of surface and subsurface water, often overlooked and wasted, enables both small farmers and commercial agriculturists to improve yields and the security of harvest, even in harsh and remote environments. The text introduces the techniques and strategies, as well as the challenges and the potential of the crucial approach, which can contribute so much to reducing land degradation and improving conservation and sustainability.