Title:
Subsurface Water Retention System for Industrial Crop Sustainable Production. Results from Guayule
Author(s):
Pari, L., Bergonzoli, S., Cozzolino, L., Lazar, S., Olivas, A., López, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The present study aims to develop and test a machinery capable to lay an impermeable membrane at 80-100 cm belowground to catch rainwater in arid and semi-arid areas. Water harvesting is a long-last debate that has captured the attention in many sectors. Water tanks and reservoirs are currently being used where possible, but the problem to deliver the water from the tank to the plants still remains. The present study aims to develop and test a machinery capable to lay an impermeable membrane at 80-100 cm belowground to catch rainwater in arid and semi-arid areas. Work performance, costs and beneficial effect on soil moisture will be evaluated in a long lasting trial as well as further improvements of the prototype. In this context, the effect of SWRT on Guayule yield, growth, physiology, and biochemical characteristics in open field conditions, were investigated with a specific acquisition system. This innovative approach would combine the need to harvest rainwater and avoid additional water delivery system to water the plants. Furthermore, the SWRT can be applied to open fields and help to reduce desertification in arid and semi-arid areas of the world.
Keywords:
water harvesting, SWRT, irrigation water, Guayule
Topic:
Sustainability, Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Environmental impacts
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2AV.5.7
Pages:
299 - 301
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-2AV.5.7
Price:
FREE
