Assessment of groundwater quality and its variations in the capture zone of a pumping well in an agricultural area

Agricultural activities are frequently associated with water contamination. The spreading and storage of fertilizers, for instance, may result in groundwater contamination due to pollutants leaching into an aquifer. Nitrates and fecal bacteria are two important contaminants associated with agriculture. Thus, the development of efficient strategies for groundwater protection in agricultural areas requires an assessment of these two contaminants. Given this perspective, groundwater quality monitoring was carried out over the whole capture zone of a municipal well located in an agricultural area in the St.-Lawrence Lowlands in Québec. Thirty-eight piezometers were installed within the roughly 2 km² capture area of the well to measure physico-chemical parameters such as major ions, field measured parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, water level, temperature), and isotopic ratios, bacteriological parameters (Heterotrophic Plate Count—HPC, enterococci, total coliforms, Escherichia coli) and their variations in space and time. Groundwater was sampled from the pumping well and the piezometers during 25 field campaigns in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The results demonstrate the impact of agricultural activities on nitrate contamination. They indicate high spatial and temporal variations in nitrate concentrations, from 6 to 125 mgNO₃⁻/L within the capture area, with 40% of the samples exceeding the Québec drinking water limit of 45 mgNO₃⁻/L. Nitrate pollution in the municipal well exceeded 45 mgNO₃⁻/L during 2005, but no bacteriological contamination was observed. The results also show a high variability of nitrate concentration with depth within the capture zone. Electrical conductivity appears as a good indicator of the presence of nitrate and calcium ions in this capture zone. Correlations between nitrate, calcium and chloride suggest that these ions come from the same source of fertilizer. Nitrate isotopic composition suggests that nitrate in groundwater originates from both chemical and organic fertilizers. The bacteriological results show that the extracted volume of water during sampling of a piezometer has a significant impact on the bacteria count. The variability of bacteriological pollution is important in space and time, showing a higher contamination during summer. Only 2% of the raw water samples exhibit contamination exceeding the drinking water standard for treated water. Total coliforms seem to be a good precursor of E. coli or enterococci contamination. Globally, the physico-chemical and bacteriological groundwater quality within the studied capture area and the pumping well shows contamination by nitrates, but low contamination levels by fecal bacteria.     

The environmental performance of milk production on a typical Portuguese dairy farm

The activities associated with raw milk production on dairy farms require an effective evaluation of their environmental impact. The present study evaluates the global environmental impacts associated with milk production on dairy farms in Portugal and identifies the processes that have the greatest environmental impact by using life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The main factors involved in milk production were included, namely: the dairy farm, maize silage, ryegrass silage, straw, concentrates, diesel and electricity. The results suggest that the major source of air and water emissions in the life cycle of milk is the production of concentrates. The activities carried out on dairy farms were the major source of nitrous oxides (from fuel combustion), ammonia, and methane (from manure management and enteric fermentation). Nevertheless, dairy farm activities, which include manure management, enteric fermentation and diesel consumption, make the greatest contributions to the categories of impact considered, with the exception of the abiotic depletion category, contributing to over 70% of the total global warming potential (1021.3 kg CO₂ eq. per tonne of milk), 84% of the total photochemical oxidation potential (0.2 kg C₂H₄ eq. per tonne of milk), 70% of the total acidification potential (20.4 kg SO₂ eq. per tonne of milk), and 41% of the total eutrophication potential (7.1 kg eq. per tonne of milk). The production of concentrates and maize silage are the major contributors to the abiotic depletion category, accounting for 35% and 28%, respectively, of the overall abiotic depletion potential (1.4 Sb eq. per tonne of milk). Based on this LCA case study, we recommend further work to evaluate some possible opportunities to improve the environmental performance of Portuguese milk production, namely: (i) implementing integrated solutions for manure recovery/treatment (e.g. anaerobic digestion) before its application to the soil as organic fertiliser during maize and ryegrass production; (ii) improving manure nutrient use efficiency in order to decrease the importation of nutrients; (iii) diversifying feeding crops, as the dependence on two annual forage crops is expected to lead to excessive soil mobilisation (and related impacts) and to insignificant carbon dioxide sequestration from the atmosphere; and (iv) changing the concentrate mixtures.     

The migrant Igbira farmers and food crop production in Bendel State,Nigeria

The migrant Igbira farmers produce the bulk of the foodstuff which supports the high concentration of non-farming urban population in Bendel State. The migrants are professional food crop farmers whose push and pull factors of migration are motivated by access to farmland and cash income from food crop production. These farmers fill the gap left by subsistence indigenous farmers who produce food mainly for household requirements. This study examines the farming techniques and profitability of land use by the migrant farmers.Data were collected from 500 Igbira farmers from Bendel North Senatorial District where these farmers are found. Three sources of data were employed: discussions with migrant farmers, farm observations and a questionnaire survey. The results of data analyses indicate that migrant farmers were attracted to areas of abundant farmland in hospitable environments that were located near to their natal settlements.The financial evaluation of land use showed that the net income from land per hectare varied from

60 for pepper through

735 for melon to

7830 for yam. Similarly, the net present worth gave

10 178 per hectare while the benefit cost ratio was 2·8. Nevertheless, high cost of seed yams, unstable market prices for food crops and inadequate labour supply were the main factors that inhibit food crop production by the migrant farmers.     

Productivity of yam under alternative cropping systems adopted by small-holder farmers of southeastern Nigeria

This study compares productivity of yam under mixed and sole cropping systems and determines the opportunity cost involved in the mixed cropping system preferred by small-holder farmers of southeastern Nigeria.The results show that output of yam per hectare, output/seed input ratio, as well as yield per yam crop stand, were all higher under yam sole cropping than under mixed cropping. Scarce resources of land, labour and capital were more productive under sole cropping. The opportunity cost of producing yam under a mixed corrping system was equivalent to

480·79 per hectare.Considering the labour and financial problems faced by the farmers, and given that the same level of social status is attainable by adopting either of the two cropping systems, it becomes rational to adopt sole cropping with less labour and cash requirements but higher output and returns.     

Continuous measurement of plant and soil water status for irrigation scheduling in plum

The usefulness of continuous measurement of soil and plant water status for automated irrigation scheduling was studied in a drip-irrigation experiment on plum (Prunus salicina Black Gold). Two levels of water restriction were imposed at different phenological periods (from pit-hardening to harvest, post-harvest) and compared with a well irrigated control treatment. Soil matrix water potential (_soil) was measured with granular matrix sensors (Watermark); and short-period trunk diameter variation (TDV) was measured with linear variable displacement transformers. The Watermark sensor readings were in reasonable agreement with the irrigation regime and showed a good indication of plant water status across the season (r²=0.62), although they were a better predictor of stem water potential (_stem) in the dry range of _soil. Nonetheless, the most important drawback in their use was the high variability of readings (typical CV of 35–50%). From TDV measurements, maximum daily shrinkage (MDS) and trunk growth rate (TGR) were calculated. Their performance was also compared with _stem, which had the lowest variability (CV of 7%). During most of the fruit growth period, when TGR was minimum, MDS was higher in the less-irrigated treatment than in the control and correlated well (r²=0.89) with _stem. However, after harvest, when TGR was higher, this correlation decreased as the season progressed (r²=0.73–0.52), as did the slope between MDS and _stem, suggesting tissue elasticity changes. Later in the season, TGR was better related to plant water status. These observations indicate some of the difficulties in obtaining reference values useful for irrigation scheduling based exclusively on plant water status measurements.     

A simple formula to calculate the width of hydrological buffer zones between drained agricultural plots and nature reserve areas

This paper presents new formulae to calculate the width of a buffer zone between a drained agricultural plot and a nature reserve area. These formulae are based on the classical Dupuit-Forchheimer assumptions and take into account the position of the impervious layer. With basic meteorological and agrological inputs, the proposed equations can be used to determine the length of the depression zone during watertable drawdown due to underground drainage. Calculating the required width of protection belts around peatland reserves is a typical and common application of the formulas presented in this paper.     

Impact of research on water use for irrigation in Israel

The decrease of annual irrigation application rate observed since 1950 was reversed in 1988 as a result of a sudden increase of the amount of treated effluents used for irrigation. Intensification of research on irrigation with effluents and marginal water starting in 1994 resulted four years later in the renewal of the decrease of irrigation application rate. Contribution No. 614/06 from the Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel.

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Effects of salinity on germination,seedling growth,and yield of melons

Summary Four melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars were tested for salt tolerance at germination, seedling growth stages, and plant maturation. Noy Amid was the most tolerant during germination, achieving 56% germination in 15,000 mg/l NaCl solution. However, this cultivar and Eshkolit Ha 'Amaqim were relatively sensitive during the first 4 days' growth of the radicle and the hypocotyl, and the first 3 weeks' development of the seedling. Their yields were reduced under saline as compared with non-saline field conditions. In contrast, Honey Dew and Rochet had little or no germination in 15,000 mg/l NaCl but showed salt tolerance during seedling growth stages. Yield of Honey Dew was unaffected by saline field conditions, and that of Rochet was not significantly reduced from the non-saline control. Thus, selection for salt tolerance in melons appears feasible during early vegetative growth stages but not during germination.Contribution No. 1032-E, 1984 series, from the Agricultural Research Organization, Bet Dagan, Israel     

Canopy temperature variability as an indicator of crop water stress severity

Irrigation scheduling requires an operational means to quantify plant water stress. Remote sensing may offer quick measurements with regional coverage that cannot be achieved by current ground-based sampling techniques. This study explored the relation between variability in fine-resolution measurements of canopy temperature and crop water stress in cotton fields in Central Arizona, USA. By using both measurements and simulation models, this analysis compared the standard deviation of the canopy temperature to the more complex and data intensive crop water stress index (CWSI). For low water stress, field was used to quantify water deficit with some confidence. For moderately stressed crops, the was very sensitive to variations in plant water stress and had a linear relation with field-scale CWSI. For highly stressed crops, the estimation of water stress from is not recommended. For all applications of one must account for variations in irrigation uniformity, field root zone water holding capacity, meteorological conditions and spatial resolution of T _c data. These sensitivities limit the operational application of for irrigation scheduling. On the other hand, was most sensitive to water stress in the range in which most irrigation decisions are made, thus, with some consideration of daily meteorological conditions, could provide a relative measure of temporal variations in root zone water availability. For large irrigation districts, this may be an economical option for minimizing water use and maximizing crop yield.

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Impact of a gel conditioner and water quality upon soil infiltration

Summary The interactive effects of 0.0%, 0.4%, and 0.8% of a gel conditioner, Jalma, and four waters: salt solution (SS), distilled (DW), natural sewage (SW), and well (WW) waters on swelling (S), effective mean pore radius ( ), water penetrability (), diffusivity (D), and weighted-mean diffusivity ( ) in loamy sand and loam soil columns were investigated. The diffusivities of water in untreated soil columns were nearly independent of water quality. In general for both soils, S decreased, and , , and increased with increase in water salinity and decrease in % Jalma. For the loamy sand of SS, WW, SW, and DW were reduced, respectively by 15%, 39%, 45%, and 55% due to the addition of 0.4% Jalma and by 15%, 52%, 69%, and 83% due to addition of 0.8% Jalma compared to untreated control. It was concluded that 0.4% Jalma is the optimum rate when sewage (EC=1.6 dSm^–1) or other waters of low salinity are used for irrigation and 0.8% Jalma when well water (EC =6.4 dSm^–1) is used. When the irrigation water is of high salinity (EC =42.5 dSm^–1), use of this gel conditioner is not recommended. Effective mean pore radius proved to be a reliable predictor of the multiple effects of texture, Jalma and water salinity on and .     

Plant indicators of wheat and soybean crop water stress

Summary The onset of water stress within a crop is defined as the time at which the rate of water loss declines below that of a well watered crop in the same locality. The relation to the onset of water stress and soil water status of several readily measured plant parameters was investigated in crops of wheat and soybeans over three years. Evapotranspiration ET was monitored with weighing lysimeters. A noticeable decline in the rate of ET for both wheat and soybeans was detected once 20% to 30% of the total plant available water PAW remained in the 1 m deep lysimeter soil profile. Extension growth of wheat declined when PAW was 33% and 34% in two years of measurement. In soybeans, the decline in the rate of leaf extension coincided with the decline in the rate of ET. Midmorning measurement of exposed leaf water potential _L, covered leaf water potential _CL and covered plant leaf water potential _CP yielded similar results for both wheat and soybeans. Day-to-day variability was least in _CP and most in _L. Values of _CP, _L and _CL decreased rapidly with PAW < 30%. Daily values of leaf diffusive conductance were variable but there was a general decline in conductance with PAW < 30%. It is suggested that _CL may be the easiest and most reliable parameter to monitor as a means of detecting the onset of stress. The results indicated that PAW levels in the root zone of 50% for wheat and 30% for soybean probably do not affect extension growth or plant water status parameters and can thus be used as criteria for irrigation scheduling.Seconded from the Water Research Commission, Pretoria; present address: CSIRO, Division of Irrigation Research, Griffith, N SW 2680, Australia     

Infiltration and runoff as affected by pitting,mulching and sprinkler irrigation

Summary Changes in infiltration and runoff caused by pitting and mulching under sprinkler irrigation were studied on two soil types. Pitting or diking was done with an implement called a dammer-diker. Five soil treatments were applied: shallow and deep dammer-diker, shallow dammer-diker with mulch, bare, and a mulched soil, combined with two water application rates. Total water infiltration and runoff varied during the experiment. Runoff decreased with area of water storage provided by the pits and the less water was applied. Mulch treatments also reduced runoff. Surface water storage decreased during the season. Changes in soil physical properties due to pitting were more important in controlling runoff than surface water storage.The effective saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil progressively decreased through the season for all soil treatments and water application rates.A model was developed to simulate the effect of pits on runoff. On a silt loam soil, simulated percent runoff and accumulated runoff over time for the bare and pitted treatments agreed closely to measured values. The agreement of simulated to measured runoff for a silty clay loam soil was not as good probably because of cracking which the simulation model did not take into account.