Speakers - AFHWC2025

Abstract

Arid and semiarid regions account for almost 40-45% of the Earth’s total land surface, and these areas are highly prone to salinization due to low rainfall and improper water management practices. Salinity and drought, two very closely associated abiotic stressors, negatively affect crop productivity (Gamalero et al.2020). Almost 20% of the total irrigated land has been degraded due to excess soil salinity (FAO, 2020).To meet the fodder requirements, it is critical to developing sustainable agricultural systems under constricted conditions in these marginal lands. Innovative agriculture techniques involves the cultivation of fodders, using ground and low-quality water for irrigation, thus reducing the reliance on the depleting freshwater resources.
Date farming, food security and UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 states that water as one of the essential aspect, mainly to save water. Al Nakhli has a long-term vision and achieved a modern subsurface irrigation system to make a big step further in using the precious source, water for irrigation purposes. The extensive rhizosphere is responsible for a efficient uptake of water.Tests resulted in a 40% irrigation water reduction and have achieved a 5-7% higher yield in terms of overall productivity. Since the application of water through this system is the first step and has been recently tested to cater to the date palm growth, shortly, the date palm trees' subsurface water application will create even bigger and better root growth mediated water uptake. Therefore, it will become more efficient and will lead to further reduction of water losses due to evaporation. Such innovative technologies use in date palm production is significant towards the profitability but even as crucial for the government to achieve its Water Security Strategy 2036 goals. A timid calculation of 35 cbm per year per date palm for 12 million date palms means a total of almost 420,000,000 million cubic meter of water.Keeping in view the importance of restoration of marginal environments, the present review focus on alternative water application and production systems and their management.to identify and develop strategies for sustainable agricultural production systems under saline and arid conditions for field applications. Further,salt tolerant plants also promote phytoremediation mediated by plant-associated microbiota (Nikalje et al., 2018).The crop diversification , innovative irrigation technologies and their long-term benefits in soil amelioration and mitigation of climate change are of paramount significance.

Keywords: Agriculture, water security, subsurface irrigation, salinity, water conservation.