Calibration, testing and application of the AquaCrop model for bean crop under irrigation regimes.

Crop growth simulation models relate the soil-water-plant-atmosphere components to estimate the development and yield of plants in different scenarios, enabling the identification of efficient irrigation strategies. The aim of this study was to calibrate crop coefficients for a common bean cultivar (IAPAR 57) and assess the AquaCrop model's efficacy in simulating crop growth under different irrigation regimes (T0 - non-irrigated, T1-fully irrigated, and T2-deficit irrigated) and sowing dates (S1-March 21, S2-April 24, and S3-August 23). Successful calibration was achieved for crop seasons with suitable temperatures to crop growth (S1 and S3). However, during periods with suboptimal temperatures (April 24 season), coupled with reduced irrigation supply (T0 and T2), the AquaCrop model did not appropriately account for the combined effects of thermal and water stresses. Despite adjustments to stress coefficients, this led to an overestimation of crop growth and yield. In long-term simulations, the model successfully replicated the variability of crop water availability over cropping seasons, reflecting the impact of precipitation variations. It recommended irrigation strategies for the study region (irrigate at depletion of 120 and 170% of readily available water for sowing on March 21 and August 24, respectively) to achieve high crop yield (> 2,769 kg ha-1) and water productivity (1,050 to 1,445 kg m-3) with minimal application depths (< 150 mm). While acknowledging the need for improvements in thermal stress calculations, the AquaCrop model demonstrates promising utility in studies and applications where water availability significantly influences crop production.

Silicon via fertigation with and without potassium application, improve physiological aspects of common beans cultivated under three water regimes in field.

Frequent droughts have led to an expansion of irrigated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation areas. An effective strategy to enhance water use efficiency and optimize crop growth is the application of silicon (Si) and potassium (K). However, the interaction between Si dosage, water regimes, and plant potassium status, as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms, remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of Si doses applied via fertigation under various water regimes, in the presence and absence of potassium fertilization, on gas exchange, water use efficiency, and growth of Common beans in field conditions. Two experiments were conducted, one with and one without K supply, considering that the potassium content in the soil was 6.4 mmolc dm-3 in both experiments and a replacement dose of 50 kg ha was applied in the with K treatment, with the same treatments evaluated in both potassium conditions. The treatments comprised a 3 × 4 factorial design, encompassing three water regimes: 80% (no deficit), 60% (moderate water deficit), and 40% (severe water deficit) of soil water retention capacity, and four doses of Si supplied via fertigation: 0, 4, 8, and 12 kg ha-1. Where it was evaluated, content of photosynthetic pigments, fluorescence of photosynthesis, relative water content, leaf water potential and electrolyte extravasation, dry mass of leaves, stems and total. The optimal doses of Si for fertigation application, leading to increased Si absorption in plants, varied with decreasing soil water content. The respective values were 6.6, 7.0, and 7.1 kg ha-1 for the water regimes without deficit, with moderate water deficit, and with severe water deficit. Fertigation application of Si improved plant performance, particularly under severe water deficit, regardless of potassium status. This improvement was evident in relative water content, leaf water potential, and membrane resistance, directly impacting pigment content and gas exchange rates. The physiological effects resulted in enhanced photosynthesis in water-deficient plants, mitigating dry mass production losses. This research demonstrates, for the first time in common bean, the potential of Si to enhance irrigation efficiency in areas limited by low precipitation and water scarcity.

Impact of Si on C, N, and P stoichiometric homeostasis favors nutrition and stem dry mass accumulation in sugarcane cultivated in tropical soils with different water regimes.

Studies with silicon (Si) in sugarcane indicate a greater response in productivity in plants under stress, and the underlying mechanisms of Si in the crop are poorly reported. In this context, the benefits of Si in the crop's stem production are expected to occur at the C:N:P stoichiometry level in plant tissues, benefiting plants with and without stress. However, the extension of this response may vary in different soils. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate if fertigation with Si modifies the C:N:P stoichiometry and if it can increase sugarcane's nutritional efficiency and vegetative and productive parameters. Therefore, three experiments were installed using pre-sprouted seedlings to cultivate sugarcane in tropical soils belonging to the Quartzarenic Neosol, Eutrophic Red Latosol, and Dystrophic Red Latosol classes. The treatments comprised a 2 × 2 factorial scheme in each soil. The first factor was composed without water restriction (water retention = 70%; AWD) and with water restriction (water retention = 35%; PWD). The second factor presented Si concentrations (0 mM and 1.8 mM) arranged in randomized blocks with five replications. Fertigation with Si increases the Si and P concentration, the C and N efficiency, the C:N ratio, and the dry mass production. However, it decreases the C and N concentration and the C:P, C:Si, and N:P ratios in sugarcane leaves and stems regardless of the water regime adopted in the three tropical soils. Cluster and principal components analysis indicated that the intensity of the beneficial effects of Si fertigation on sugarcane plants varies depending on the cultivation soil and water conditions. We found that Si can be used in sugarcane with and without water stress. It changes the C:N:P homeostasis enough to improve the nutritional efficiency of C, P, N, and, consequently, the dry mass accumulation on the stems, with variation in the different cultivated soils.

Caracterização técnica e desempenho hidráulico de quatro gotejadores autocompensantes utilizados no Brasil / Technique characterization and hydraulic performance of four self-compensating drippers used in Brazil

Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar e avaliar o desempenho de quatro modelos de gotejadores autocompensantes, frequentemente utilizados nos sistemas de irrigação por gotejamento no Brasil. Para realização do estudo, foi tomada uma amostra de 25 gotejadores de cada modelo. Na avaliação dos respectivos tubos emissores, foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: (a) vazão média, (b) coeficiente de variação de fabricação, (c) espessura da parede (d), equação característica do gotejador, (e) diâmetro interno do tubo, (f) espaçamento entre emissores, (g) resistência à pressão com água na temperatura ambiente e à temperatura de 40oC, e (h) resistência do tubo à tração com tensão de 160 N e 180 N. As análises mostraram coeficientes de variação de fabricação inferiores a 0,045 para todos os gotejadores (0,07 é o limite máximo, segundo a ABNT NBR ISO 9261). Os expoentes x da equação pressão versus vazão variaram de 0,0082 a 0,0691, classificando-os como autocompensantes. Pelos resultados obtidos, é possível afirmar que nos produtos ensaiados, os quais são utilizados no Brasil pelos irrigantes, apresentaram desempenho hidráulico satisfatório, de acordo com a norma.

This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the performance of four models self-compensating drippers commonly used in drip irrigation systems in Brazil. To perform the study it was taking a sample of 25 emitters of each model. Evaluating their tubes (b) coefficient of manufacturing variation (c) wall thickness, (d) characteristic equation of the dripper, (e) internal diameter of the pipe, (f) spacing between emitters, (g) resistance water pressure at ambient temperature and to 40°C and (h) the tensile strength of the pipe with tension of 160 N and 180 N. The analysis showed variation coefficient of less than 0.045 for all manufacturing drippers (0.07 is maximum according to ABNT NBR ISO 9261). The exponents x of the equation pressure versus discharge ranged from 0.0082 to 0.0691 classifying them as self-compensating. From the results obtained it is clear that the tested products which are used in Brazil and used by irrigators had a satisfactory hydraulic performance in accordance with the standard.

Caracterização técnica e desempenho hidráulico de quatro gotejadores autocompensantes utilizados no Brasil / Technique characterization and hydraulic performance of four self-compensating drippers used in Brazil

Este trabalho teve por objetivo caracterizar e avaliar o desempenho de quatro modelos de gotejadores autocompensantes, frequentemente utilizados nos sistemas de irrigação por gotejamento no Brasil. Para realização do estudo, foi tomada uma amostra de 25 gotejadores de cada modelo. Na avaliação dos respectivos tubos emissores, foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: (a) vazão média, (b) coeficiente de variação de fabricação, (c) espessura da parede (d), equação característica do gotejador, (e) diâmetro interno do tubo, (f) espaçamento entre emissores, (g) resistência à pressão com água na temperatura ambiente e à temperatura de 40oC, e (h) resistência do tubo à tração com tensão de 160 N e 180 N. As análises mostraram coeficientes de variação de fabricação inferiores a 0,045 para todos os gotejadores (0,07 é o limite máximo, segundo a ABNT NBR ISO 9261). Os expoentes x da equação pressão versus vazão variaram de 0,0082 a 0,0691, classificando-os como autocompensantes. Pelos resultados obtidos, é possível afirmar que nos produtos ensaiados, os quais são utilizados no Brasil pelos irrigantes, apresentaram desempenho hidráulico satisfatório, de acordo com a norma.(AU)

This study aimed to characterize and evaluate the performance of four models self-compensating drippers commonly used in drip irrigation systems in Brazil. To perform the study it was taking a sample of 25 emitters of each model. Evaluating their tubes (b) coefficient of manufacturing variation (c) wall thickness, (d) characteristic equation of the dripper, (e) internal diameter of the pipe, (f) spacing between emitters, (g) resistance water pressure at ambient temperature and to 40°C and (h) the tensile strength of the pipe with tension of 160 N and 180 N. The analysis showed variation coefficient of less than 0.045 for all manufacturing drippers (0.07 is maximum according to ABNT NBR ISO 9261). The exponents x of the equation pressure versus discharge ranged from 0.0082 to 0.0691 classifying them as self-compensating. From the results obtained it is clear that the tested products which are used in Brazil and used by irrigators had a satisfactory hydraulic performance in accordance with the standard.(AU)