Sustainable Water Management Practices Using Micro-irrigation Technology: A Case Study in Portugal and Future Research Directions

Artur Frazão (), Pedro Dinis Gaspar (), Cristina Fael (), Isabel Falorca (), Dina Pereira () and João Leitão
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Artur Frazão: University of Beira Interior, C-MAST—Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Sciences and Technologies
Pedro Dinis Gaspar: Dept of Electromechanical Engg, University of Beira Interior
Cristina Fael: University of Beira Interior, C-MADE—Centre of Materials and Building Technologies
Isabel Falorca: University of Beira Interior, C-MADE—Centre of Materials and Building Technologies
Dina Pereira: University of Lisbon

A chapter in Sustainable Water Management and Irrigation Systems, 2025, pp 187-230 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Faced with an escalating scarcity of fresh water, the responsible management of water resources has become fundamentally important, especially in the agricultural sector, which is a major consumer. This study evaluates the sustainability and economic viability of a new micro-irrigation system, focusing on the self-regulating low-energy clay-tube irrigation system (SLECIS), and compares its performance with traditional drip irrigation systems (DISs) in Mediterranean climates, particularly in Portuguese cherry and peach orchards. The study’s methodology includes a comparative analysis of the irrigation season, weather information (average air temperatures, average air humidity, soil water content, and evapotranspiration), and empirical data (water consumption and water flows) to assess water use efficiency, crop yield, and the long-term environmental impacts of each system as regards water consumption and management. The results demonstrate that SLECIS, with its adaptive response to soil moisture levels, has higher water conservation rates than DIS. The study concludes that SLECIS may represent a strategic advancement towards sustainable agriculture, offering a viable solution to the mounting pressures of water scarcity and the growing demand for agricultural output. Further research is recommended to explore the scalability of SLECIS across various crops and more diverse climatic conditions.

Keywords: Drip irrigation; Micro-irrigation systems; SLECI; Water efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:nrmchp:978-3-031-93587-9_9

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-93587-9_9

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