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Integral Management of Irrigation Water in Intensive Horticultural Systems of Almería

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  • Pedro Garcia-Caparros

    (Agronomy Department of Superior School Engineering, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3. Ctra. Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almería, Spain)

  • Juana Isabel Contreras

    (Institute of Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishery (IFAPA), Junta of Andalucia, La Mojonera, Almería 04630, Spain)

  • Rafael Baeza

    (Institute of Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishery (IFAPA), Junta of Andalucia, La Mojonera, Almería 04630, Spain)

  • Maria Luz Segura

    (Institute of Research and Training in Agriculture and Fishery (IFAPA), Junta of Andalucia, La Mojonera, Almería 04630, Spain)

  • Maria Teresa Lao

    (Agronomy Department of Superior School Engineering, University of Almería, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence ceiA3. Ctra. Sacramento s/n, La Cañada de San Urbano, 04120 Almería, Spain)

Abstract

The development of intensive horticulture in Almería, with a huge increase in greenhouse surface area, is related to three essential factors: climatic characteristics, groundwater use and mulching sandy soil. The purpose of the present paper is to draw a picture of the integral management of water irrigation in the intensive horticultural systems in the region, by identifying the most significant water resource contributions and alternative water resources. Results indicate that the use of groundwater for the irrigation of horticultural crops in the greenhouses presents a high degree of overexploitation of the aquifers, but due to the continuous search for alternative water resources, such as desalinated and reclaimed water, as well as in-depth knowledge of the integral management of water irrigation through automated fertigation and localized irrigation systems, the current status of the water resources could be sustainable. Moreover, being conscious of the pollution generated by agricultural leachates, the horticultural system of Almería is implementing complementary sustainable systems such as recirculation, cascade cropping systems and phytodepuration for the reuse of the leachate. Considering all these factors, it can be concluded that the intensive horticultural system is on the right path towards respecting the environment and being sustainable in terms of water use.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedro Garcia-Caparros & Juana Isabel Contreras & Rafael Baeza & Maria Luz Segura & Maria Teresa Lao, 2017. "Integral Management of Irrigation Water in Intensive Horticultural Systems of Almería," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-21, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:12:p:2271-:d:122022
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    2. José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña & Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz & Diego L. Valera, 2019. "Aquifer Sustainability and the Use of Desalinated Seawater for Greenhouse Irrigation in the Campo de Níjar, Southeast Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Efthymios Rodias & Eirini Aivazidou & Charisios Achillas & Dimitrios Aidonis & Dionysis Bochtis, 2020. "Water-Energy-Nutrients Synergies in the Agrifood Sector: A Circular Economy Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    4. Gao, Yang & Shao, Guangcheng & Wu, Shiqing & Xiaojun, Wang & Lu, Jia & Cui, Jintao, 2021. "Changes in soil salinity under treated wastewater irrigation: A meta-analysis," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    5. Diego Alejandro Salinas-Velandia & Felipe Romero-Perdomo & Stephanie Numa-Vergel & Edwin Villagrán & Pilar Donado-Godoy & Julio Ricardo Galindo-Pacheco, 2022. "Insights into Circular Horticulture: Knowledge Diffusion, Resource Circulation, One Health Approach, and Greenhouse Technologies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-16, September.
    6. Theodora Karanisa & Yasmine Achour & Ahmed Ouammi & Sami Sayadi, 2022. "Smart greenhouses as the path towards precision agriculture in the food-energy and water nexus: case study of Qatar," Environment Systems and Decisions, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 521-546, December.
    7. Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Luis J. Belmonte-Ureña & Isabel M. Román-Sánchez, 2018. "Sustainable Water Use in Agriculture: A Review of Worldwide Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, April.
    8. Reca, J. & Trillo, C. & Sánchez, J.A. & Martínez, J. & Valera, D., 2018. "Optimization model for on-farm irrigation management of Mediterranean greenhouse crops using desalinated and saline water from different sources," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 173-183.
    9. López-Felices, Belén & Aznar-Sánchez, Jose A. & Velasco-Muñoz, Juan F. & Mesa-Vázquez, Ernesto, 2023. "Examining the perceptions and behaviours of farmers regarding the installation of covers over irrigation ponds: Evidence from South-east Spain," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    10. Jaime Martínez-Valderrama & Gabriel del Barrio & María E. Sanjuán & Emilio Guirado & Fernando T. Maestre, 2022. "Desertification in Spain: A Sound Diagnosis without Solutions and New Scenarios," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-13, February.
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