In this presentation, the efficiency chain and interaction of engineering and agronomic aspects of agricultural water management on the water pathway from the source (e.g., storage reservoir) to its effective application in the field is analyzed. Several aspects of water productivity area discussed including engineering water supply efficiency, agricultural crop water productivity, water use efficiency, etc. at different scales. The concept of ecoefficiency is introduced as a ratio between the economic added value of agricultural production and corresponding environmental impact expressed through the emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere and related to the water withdrawal and supply, energy consumption, use of fertilizers, pesticides, etc. The examples of application of eco-efficiency approach are discussed using the water supply chain mapping of Sinistra Ofanto irrigation scheme (Apulia region, Italy).

Author Mladen Todorović – CIHEAM Bari

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Keyword:engineering water supply efficiency, agricultural crop water productivity, water use efficiency, eco-efficiency approach

The training on the use of AquaCrop water productivity model developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) consisted of a theoretical presentation and practical work. In the presentation, AquaCrop concepts and structure were introduced to the trainees, then, the Input data required to run AquaCrop and their acquisition were presented. The theoretical session also discussed the calibration and validation procedure of AquaCrop. Concerning the practical work, the session started by presenting AquaCrop user-interface, then, a series of exercises were completed. The exercises aimed to teach the trainees on how to create the climate, soil and crop input files, how to create a project in AquaCrop and run simulations, how to create irrigation files and assess yield response to water. Finally, AquaCrop_GIS was presented to the trainees with a discussion about all its features.

Author: Marie Therese Abi Saab

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Keyword: rAquaCrop water productivity model, AquaCrop user-interface, input files. yield response to water, AquaCrop_GIS

The exercises aimed to teach the trainees on how to create a project in AquaCrop and run simulations, how to create irrigation files and assess yield response to water. Exercises 5,6 and 7: aimed to present irrigation scheduling in AquaCrop. The trainees learned how to create irrigation files and assess yield response to water. Two different irrigation options were considered in AquaCrop: generating schedules based on time and depth criteria and net irrigation management approach. Finally, AquaCrop_GIS was presented to the trainees with a discussion about all its features. 

Author: Mladen Todorović, Marie Therese Abi Saab – CIHEAM Bari

Keywords project, AquaCrop, irrigation scheduling, AquaCrop_GIS

The expansion of the greenhouse cultivation in the Mediterranean region is presented with the examples of innovative solutions for the promotion of sustainable solutions and competitiveness. The soil water balance equation for the calculation of crop water requirements under greenhouse conditions is discussed along with the peculiarities of crop eco-physiological performances in respect to open field cultivation. The science-based irrigation scheduling methods for on-soil and soilless cultivation are reported and compared with the empirical approaches based on the grower’s experiences. Several methods for the estimation of crop evapotranspiration under greenhouse conditions are described with the emphasis of their practical application. Finally, several research and demonstration projects based on the use of new technological solutions for irrigation management under greenhouse conditions are discussed. A technical visit to the ORTOGOURMET (www.ortogourmet.com), close to Mola di Bari (province of Bari, Apulia region), was carried out with the scope to visit different solutions of cultivation and water management and to discuss with the local managers about advantages and limitations of the application of modern technologies under greenhouse cultivation.

Author: Francesco Montesano – University of Bari

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Keywords greenhouse cultivation, crop water requirements, Mediterranean region, soil water balance, crop evapotranspiration estimation, new technological solutions, technical visit

It is a practical session carried out at the experimental fields of Bari Institute and in the laboratories for soil hydrology and eco-physiology. The principles of functioning and purpose of numerous equipment and procedures for the measurement of soil hydraulic characteristics and plant eco-physiological parameters are presented. Practical application in the fields focusses on the demonstration of soil data acquisition (soil moisture content, electrical conductivity) using geophysical methods, and plant measurements including leaf area index, stomatal conductance, solar radiation interception, canopy spectral signature (using on-ground spectroradiometer), and canopy gas exchange (using LICOR 6400). 

Author: Giovanna Dragonetti, Carlo Ranieri – CIHEAM Bari

Keywords laboratories, soil hydrology, eco-physiology, practical application, geophysical methods, plant measurements