Irrigation and Water Relations

The topic of this Working Group is the science and science-informed practice of sustainable irrigation of fruit and nut orchards, vineyards, berry crops, vegetables and ornamentals globally, under varying soil, climate and water resource supply, in both open and undercover (protected) environments. This includes new knowledge and innovations on plant water relations and the detection of plant water stress in relation to phenological stages; irrigation systems and irrigation scheduling; the use of remote sensing applications and new generation sensing technologies for precision irrigation (e.g. decision support systems); advances in measuring and modelling evapotranspiration and irrigation requirements to optimise the use of scarce water resources; managing irrigation with poor quality and non-conventional water; and improving irrigation efficiency under climate change, including periodic drought (with techniques such as deficit irrigation), to maintain productivity and crop quality.

This Working Group provides an opportunity for scientists and irrigation practitioners to exchange ideas and develop global networks and collaborations to address the ever-increasingly important use and management of water in an era of reduced irrigation water availability.