Factors Affecting Irrigation Water Consumption per Hectare of Farmland

Water requirements vary among different crop species, depending on their growth cycles, water consumption characteristics, as well as root water uptake and water retention capacities. For instance, rice is cultivated under flooded conditions with a far higher water consumption than maize, while maize has relatively lower water demand.

Meteorological conditions

Evapotranspiration rises under high temperature and low humidity, accelerating crop water loss and increasing irrigation water requirements. On the contrary, irrigation demand drops significantly in humid regions with abundant precipitation. Arid and semi-arid areas feature scarce rainfall and high temperatures, bringing great challenges to integrated water resource management. It is necessary to balance crop water needs under limited water supply.

Types of irrigation systems

The selected irrigation system serves as a critical factor determining water consumption. Different irrigation equipment varies in water use efficiency, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:

• Sprinkler irrigation / micro-sprinkler irrigation: an efficient irrigation method that simulates natural rainfall and sprays fine water droplets onto the crop surface.