Editorial: The Use and Management of Agricultural Irrigation Systems and Technologies

Abstract

Agricultural irrigation systems help provide food to meet the growing demands of the global population. As a result of climate change, irrigated agroecosystems face threats such as excessive runoff, soil erosion, salinization, water pollution, over-irrigation, and water shortages, among others. These challenges can be met at multiple levels, but mainly through the use of technology that provides instruments and methodologies to deal with major environmental challenges, saving water and increasing crop yields. Tailored water resource management approaches for irrigation based on the application of agro-hydrological models and decision support tools at different scales are effective in maintaining reliable and flexible water allocation during periods of water shortage, preserving water for environmental requirements, and decreasing conflicts between water users. In semi-arid and arid regions, where irrigated agriculture is threatened by water scarcity, saline or treated wastewater has become a resource; nonetheless, potential hazards to the environment/humans are a concern. This requires further research, as well as the application of innovative technologies and decision tools to provide secure solutions, promoting resilient irrigation management now and in the future. It is necessary to promote water management research and the dissemination of its results for different irrigated agroecosystems where advanced technologies and innovative methodologies are used for efficient irrigation management and soil and water conservation. Within this framework, this Special Issue offers an opportunity to gather studies and multidisciplinary approaches related to advanced technologies and innovative methodologies for irrigation management. It includes eleven original research papers that cover a broad range of advances in using alternative irrigation-water sources (five research papers (RPs)), modeling the soil water distribution and water quality (two RPs), modernizing surface irrigation systems (two RPs), and assessing the economic and environmental sustainability of irrigation practices and technologies (two RPs). In the following sections, there is a summary of each research paper belonging to each one of these four categories