Addressing issues of agricultural sustainability under irrigated agricultural conditions based on assessment of greenhouse gas emissions intensity, soil and water quality evaluation, resource-use efficiency, and food security.
The Irrigation Efficiency Network is a network of the Croplands Research Group of the Global Research Alliance.
The network covers changes in management practices including conversion to irrigation, or different irrigation practices and benefits (pivot irrigation, furrow irrigation, sub-surface drip etc.).
These different irrigation methods may also link to activities in other Croplands Research Group networks. Sub-surface drip irrigation, for example, is the most efficient method in fertigation (application of fertiliser through irrigation) and able to reduce N2O emissions when applied as a high number of smaller dose applications. This method involves the practice of furrow irrigation and soil tilling, a focus of the Conservation Agriculture Network.
The Network could undertake a life-cycle analysis for the various irrigation systems to identify the most appropriate options. Another activity could be information on best practice for the application of manure and slurry onto fields and the use of liquid manure for fertigation.
The Irrigation Efficiency Network is led by Kevin Bronson, USA. The Network is looking for additional members, particularly irrigation specialists.