IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v9y2019i9p187-d262091.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Environmental and Economic Sustainability Assessment for Two Different Sprinkler and A Drip Irrigation Systems: A Case Study on Maize Cropping

Author

Listed:
  • Eros Borsato

    (Land Environment Resources and Health (LERH) PhD Programme, Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TESAF) Department, Università degli studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Marco Martello

    (Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TESAF) Department, Università degli studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Francesco Marinello

    (Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TESAF) Department, Università degli studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

  • Lucia Bortolini

    (Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TESAF) Department, Università degli studi di Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy)

Abstract

Water scarcity is worsened by climate change. Water savings can be reached by improving irrigation efficiency both on farm and on water supply. To do that, the choice of the best irrigation technology is not always straightforward, because farmers need to renew and implement farm infrastructures for irrigation. This study compares three irrigation systems, one drip irrigation and two sprinkler (center pivot and hose-reel) systems, on environmental, economic, and energetic performance under irrigated and non-irrigated maize cropping. The study combines impact and efficiency indicators, addressing a sustainability analysis for the irrigation practice under the three different irrigation systems. The sustainability for the irrigation systems was assessed using water-related indicators (water use efficiency, irrigation water use efficiency, and water footprint), biomass (crop growth rate, relative growth rate, harvest index, and yield response factor), and energy indicators (energy footprint, performance, and energy cost footprint) for the environmental aspect; and the economic-based indicators (water productivity and economic water footprint) for the economic aspect. Main results address the center pivot system as the best solution for irrigation practice since it demonstrated higher economic and environmental performance. Moreover, maize under the pivot system allowed a higher biomass production, economic benefits, and water use efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Eros Borsato & Marco Martello & Francesco Marinello & Lucia Bortolini, 2019. "Environmental and Economic Sustainability Assessment for Two Different Sprinkler and A Drip Irrigation Systems: A Case Study on Maize Cropping," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:9:p:187-:d:262091
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/9/9/187/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/9/9/187/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Giulia Marino & Daniele Zaccaria & Richard L. Snyder & Octavio Lagos & Bruce D. Lampinen & Louise Ferguson & Stephen R. Grattan & Cayle Little & Kristen Shapiro & Mahesh Lal Maskey & Dennis L. Corwin , 2019. "Actual Evapotranspiration and Tree Performance of Mature Micro-Irrigated Pistachio Orchards Grown on Saline-Sodic Soils in the San Joaquin Valley of California," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-21, April.
    2. Rennings, Klaus & Wiggering, Hubert, 1997. "Steps towards indicators of sustainable development: Linking economic and ecological concepts," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(1), pages 25-36, January.
    3. Amir Haghverdi & Brian Leib & Robert Washington-Allen & Wesley C. Wright & Somayeh Ghodsi & Timothy Grant & Muzi Zheng & Phue Vanchiasong, 2019. "Studying Crop Yield Response to Supplemental Irrigation and the Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil Physical Attributes in a Humid Region," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Divya Handa & Robert S. Frazier & Saleh Taghvaeian & Jason G. Warren, 2019. "The Efficiencies, Environmental Impacts and Economics of Energy Consumption for Groundwater-Based Irrigation in Oklahoma," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-13, February.
    5. Henrique Chaves & Suzana Alipaz, 2007. "An Integrated Indicator Based on Basin Hydrology, Environment, Life, and Policy: The Watershed Sustainability Index," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 21(5), pages 883-895, May.
    6. Molden, David & Oweis, Theib & Steduto, Pasquale & Bindraban, Prem & Hanjra, Munir A. & Kijne, Jacob, 2010. "Improving agricultural water productivity: Between optimism and caution," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(4), pages 528-535, April.
    7. Eros Borsato & Alejandro Galindo & Paolo Tarolli & Luigi Sartori & Francesco Marinello, 2018. "Evaluation of the Grey Water Footprint Comparing the Indirect Effects of Different Agricultural Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    8. Playan, Enrique & Mateos, Luciano, 2006. "Modernization and optimization of irrigation systems to increase water productivity," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 80(1-3), pages 100-116, February.
    9. Castellanos, M.T. & Cartagena, M.C. & Requejo, M.I. & Arce, A. & Cabello, M.J. & Ribas, F. & Tarquis, A.M., 2016. "Agronomic concepts in water footprint assessment: A case of study in a fertirrigated melon crop under semiarid conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 170(C), pages 81-90.
    10. Lovelli, S. & Perniola, M. & Ferrara, A. & Di Tommaso, T., 2007. "Yield response factor to water (Ky) and water use efficiency of Carthamus tinctorius L. and Solanum melongena L," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(1-2), pages 73-80, August.
    11. Galindo, A. & Collado-González, J. & Griñán, I. & Corell, M. & Centeno, A. & Martín-Palomo, M.J. & Girón, I.F. & Rodríguez, P. & Cruz, Z.N. & Memmi, H. & Carbonell-Barrachina, A.A. & Hernández, F. & T, 2018. "Deficit irrigation and emerging fruit crops as a strategy to save water in Mediterranean semiarid agrosystems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 311-324.
    12. Gomez-Limon, Jose Antonio & Riesgo, Laura, 2008. "Alternative Approaches On Constructing A Composite Indicator To Measure Agricultural Sustainability," 107th Seminar, January 30-February 1, 2008, Sevilla, Spain 6489, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Cameira, Maria do Rosário & Rodrigo, Isabel & Garção, Andreia & Neves, Manuela & Ferreira, Antónia & Paredes, Paula, 2024. "Linking participatory approach and rapid appraisal methods to select potential innovations in collective irrigation systems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    2. Irmak, Suat & Sharma, Vasudha & Haghverdi, Amir & Jhala, Amit & Payero, José O. & Drudik, Matthew, 2021. "Maize Crop Coefficients under Variable and Fixed (Uniform) Rate Irrigation and Conventional and Variable Rate Fertilizer Management in Three Soil Types," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    3. Alicia Ramírez-Orellana & Daniel Ruiz-Palomo & Alfonso Rojo-Ramírez & John E. Burgos-Burgos, 2021. "The Ecuadorian Banana Farms Managers’ Perceptions: Innovation as a Driver of Environmental Sustainability Practices," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Rangaswamy Madugundu & Khalid A. Al-Gaadi & ElKamil Tola & Salah El-Hendawy & Samy A. Marey, 2023. "Mapping of Evapotranspiration and Determination of the Water Footprint of a Potato Crop Grown in Hyper-Arid Regions in Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-16, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ren, Dongyang & Xu, Xu & Engel, Bernard & Huang, Quanzhong & Xiong, Yunwu & Huo, Zailin & Huang, Guanhua, 2021. "A comprehensive analysis of water productivity in natural vegetation and various crops coexistent agro-ecosystems," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    2. Ehsan Qasemipour & Ali Abbasi & Farhad Tarahomi, 2020. "Water-Saving Scenarios Based on Input–Output Analysis and Virtual Water Concept: A Case in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Lankford, B. & Makin, Ian & Matthews, N. & McCornick, Peter G. & Noble, A. & Shah, Tushaar, "undated". "A compact to revitalise large-scale irrigation systems using a leadership-partnership-ownership 'Theory of Change'," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H047459, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Jackson, T.M. & Hanjra, Munir A. & Khan, S. & Hafeez, M.M., 2011. "Building a climate resilient farm: A risk based approach for understanding water, energy and emissions in irrigated agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(9), pages 729-745.
    5. Li, Xiaolin & Tong, Ling & Niu, Jun & Kang, Shaozhong & Du, Taisheng & Li, Sien & Ding, Risheng, 2017. "Spatio-temporal distribution of irrigation water productivity and its driving factors for cereal crops in Hexi Corridor, Northwest China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 55-63.
    6. Ghahroodi, E. Mokari & Noory, H. & Liaghat, A.M., 2015. "Performance evaluation study and hydrologic and productive analysis of irrigation systems at the Qazvin irrigation network (Iran)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 189-195.
    7. Jackson, Tamara M. & Khan, Shahbaz & Hafeez, Mohsin, 2010. "A comparative analysis of water application and energy consumption at the irrigated field level," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(10), pages 1477-1485, October.
    8. Tarjuelo, José M. & Rodriguez-Diaz, Juan A. & Abadía, Ricardo & Camacho, Emilio & Rocamora, Carmen & Moreno, Miguel A., 2015. "Efficient water and energy use in irrigation modernization: Lessons from Spanish case studies," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 67-77.
    9. de Castro-Pardo, Mónica & Cabello, José Manuel & Martín, José María & Ruiz, Francisco, 2023. "A multi reference point based index to assess and monitor European water policies from a sustainability approach," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    10. Lecina, S. & Isidoro, D. & Playán, E. & Aragüés, R., 2010. "Irrigation modernization and water conservation in Spain: The case of Riegos del Alto Aragón," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 97(10), pages 1663-1675, October.
    11. Cao, Xinchun & Zeng, Wen & Wu, Mengyang & Guo, Xiangping & Wang, Weiguang, 2020. "Hybrid analytical framework for regional agricultural water resource utilization and efficiency evaluation," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    12. Liu Liu & Zezhong Guo & Guanhua Huang & Ruotong Wang, 2019. "Water Productivity Evaluation under Multi-GCM Projections of Climate Change in Oases of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-17, May.
    13. Lecina, S. & Neale, C.M.U. & Merkley, G.P. & Dos Santos, C.A.C., 2011. "Irrigation evaluation based on performance analysis and water accounting at the Bear River Irrigation Project (U.S.A.)," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(9), pages 1349-1363, July.
    14. Berbel, J. & Mateos, L., 2014. "Does investment in irrigation technology necessarily generate rebound effects? A simulation analysis based on an agro-economic model," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 25-34.
    15. Frija, Aymen & Chebil, Ali & Cheikh M'Hamed, Hatem, 2013. "Marginal Value of Irrigation Water in Wheat Production Systems of Central Tunisia," 2013 Fourth International Conference, September 22-25, 2013, Hammamet, Tunisia 160525, African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE).
    16. Alvar-Beltrán, Jorge & Saturnin, Coulibaly & Grégoire, Baki & Camacho, Jose Luís & Dao, Abdalla & Migraine, Jean Baptiste & Marta, Anna Dalla, 2023. "Using AquaCrop as a decision-support tool for improved irrigation management in the Sahel region," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    17. Rigby, Dan & Woodhouse, Phil & Young, Trevor & Burton, Michael, 2001. "Constructing a farm level indicator of sustainable agricultural practice," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(3), pages 463-478, December.
    18. Tapsuwan, Sorada & Peña-Arancibia, Jorge L. & Lazarow, Neil & Albisetti, Melisa & Zheng, Hongxing & Rojas, Rodrigo & Torres-Alferez, Vianney & Chiew, Francis H.S. & Hopkins, Richard & Penton, David J., 2022. "A benefit cost analysis of strategic and operational management options for water management in hyper-arid southern Peru," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    19. Singh, Sukhbir & Angadi, Sangamesh V. & Grover, Kulbhushan K. & Hilaire, Rolston St. & Begna, Sultan, 2016. "Effect of growth stage based irrigation on soil water extraction and water use efficiency of spring safflower cultivars," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 432-439.
    20. Çolak, Yeşim Bozkurt & Yazar, Attila & Gönen, Engin & Eroğlu, E. Çağlar, 2018. "Yield and quality response of surface and subsurface drip-irrigated eggplant and comparison of net returns," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 165-175.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:9:p:187-:d:262091. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.