A Review of Fluid Flow Applications and Hydraulic Performance of Sustainable Drip Irrigation to Improve Water Resource Management

Abstract

Fluid flow applications to improve water resource management towards sustainable irrigation are one of the main targets of engineers nowadays, especially with global climate change. The performance assessment of the irrigation system is an important area of research to improve water resource management. Through drip irrigation systems, this review evaluated the application uniformity of water and nutrients to sustain agricultural production and protect the environment’s natural resources. To achieve these goals, the adequate use of nutrients and water must be emphasized by utilizing sufficient water and nutrient management approaches, including a drip irrigation system that supplies the inputs immediately to the crop’s root zone. The process operating pressure and the drip line length are the two most crucial aspects that affect the uniformity of the water and nutrient distribution in fields. Inconsistent or inadequate applications of fertilizers and water in the fields contribute to the incorrect supply of useful water and nutrients in the soil profile along the drip line length resulting in a significant decrease in crop yields and poor product quality. The main cause behind the operating pressures in a “micro-irrigation system” is the inadequate distribution of fertilizers and water in the fields. Therefore, the effects of such non-uniform distribution must be carefully quantified and studied to understand the reasons behind soil degradation and groundwater contamination, which occurs due to excess nutrient leaching from the crop’s root zone. Data on the distribution and movement of water and nutrients in the soil is essential for designing efficient fertilization systems. Drip irrigation can reduce water exposure and input costs, making agribusiness more resilient, profitable, and successful. This paper discusses the uniformity of the nutrients and water application for crops grown in various agro-climatic regions. In addition, an effort was made to compare the findings’ quality of various commonly used methods of water and nutrient application under different climatic conditions.