Estimating non-productive water loss in irrigated farmland in arid oasis regions: Based on stable isotope data

Yinying Jiao, Guofeng Zhu, Gaojia Meng, Siyu Lu, Dongdong Qiu, Xinrui Lin, Rui Li, Qinqin Wang, Longhu Chen, Ling Zhao, Jiangwei Yang and Niu Sun

Agricultural Water Management, 2023, vol. 289, issue C

Abstract: In arid oasis regions, water resources are severely scarce, with agricultural water usage far exceeding that of more humid areas. As a result, assessing non-productive water losses in farmland becomes crucial for estimating the water requirements reliant on irrigation for oasis cultivation. From April 2018 to October 2021, we established an observation system in the Minqin Oasis farmland. By utilizing hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in precipitation, soil water, and maize stem xylem water, we quantified the non-productive water loss (FE) and soil water infiltration rate (fe) in maize fields. Our findings indicate: (1) The average non-productive losses from rainfall and irrigation in arid maize fields were 39 %, with peak losses reaching 58 %; (2) Non-productive losses due to evapotranspiration were mainly observed in June and July, while losses from infiltration predominantly occurred in April-May and August-September; (3) Crop evapotranspiration capacity emerged as a significant factor influencing evaporation losses, while individual irrigation amounts and rainfall determined soil infiltration losses. We believe that judiciously managing irrigation volume and adjusting irrigation strategies in arid farmlands could unlock substantial potential for conserving water resources.

Keywords: Arid regions; Water cycle; Stable isotopes; Evaporation loss; Infiltration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agiwat:v:289:y:2023:i:c:s0378377423003803

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2023.108515

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