Case study - Smart Irrigation in China and Australia

Question 1

What is the impact of smart irrigation on crops?

Answer 1

Smart irrigation provides crops with a suboptimal water supply causing mild stress during crop growth stages that are less sensitive to moisture deficiency.

Question 2

Why is smart irrigation being implemented?

Answer 2

The technique has been found to conserve water without a significant reduction in yield.

Question 3

Give some advantages of smart irrigation?

Answer 3

• A six year study of winter wheat production on the North China Plain showed water savings of 25% or more through the application of smart irrigation
• Drip irrigation is 90% efficient
• Smart irrigation techniques reduce the use of water in agriculture

Question 4

Give some disadvantages of the use of smart irrigation techniques?

Answer 4

• The modern technology is expensive to acquire
• The current evidence regarding their effectiveness is only based upon very small studies
• It is extremely risky for farmers to implement smart irrigation techniques

Question 5

Regulated smart irrigation of fruit trees in Australia increased water productivity by what percentage?

Answer 5

Approximately 60%