The water-saving potential of using micro-sprinkling irrigation for winter wheat production on the North China Plain

The shortage of groundwater resources is a considerable challenge for winter wheat production on the North China Plain. Water-saving technologies and procedures are thus urgently required. To determine the water-saving potential of using micro-sprinkling irrigation (MSI) for winter wheat production, field experiments were conducted from 2012 to 2015. Compared to traditional flooding irrigation (TFI), micro-sprinkling thrice with 90 mm water (MSI1) and micro-sprinkling four times with 120 mm water (MSI2) increased the water use efficiency by 22.5 and 16.2%, respectively, while reducing evapotranspiration by 17.6 and 10.8%. Regardless of the rainfall pattern, MSI (i.e., MSI1 or MSI2) either stabilized or significantly increased the grain yield, while reducing irrigation water volumes by 20-40%, compared to TFI. Applying the same volumes of irrigation water, MSI (i.e., MSI3, micro-sprinkling five times with 150 mm water) increased the grain yield and water use efficiency of winter wheat by 4.6 and 11.7%, respectively, compared to TFI. Because MSI could supply irrigation water more frequently in smaller amounts each time, it reduced soil layer compaction, and may have also resulted in a soil water deficit that promoted the spread of roots into the deep soil layer, which is beneficial to photosynthetic production in the critical period. In conclusion, MSI1 or MSI2 either stabilized or significantly increased grain yield while reducing irrigation water volumes by 20-40% compared to TFI, and should provide water-saving technological support in winter wheat production for smallholders on the North China Plain.

Automated summary

Micro-sprinkling irrigation has the potential to significantly increase wheat yield, reduce water usage, and promote root growth, providing an effective water-saving technology for farmers in North China.