Your search found 8 records
1 Anyang GEMCO Energy Machinery. 2012. A guide to large-scale biomass pellet production. Anyang, Henan, China: Anyang GEMCO Energy Machinery. 66p.
Biomass production ; Pelleting ; Renewable energy ; Energy generation ; Raw materials ; Wood ; Policy ; Standards ; Plant maintenance ; Cooling ; Storage
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy SF Record No: H047075)
2 Leh, Mansoor D.K.; Sharpley, A. N.; Singh, G.; Matlock, M. D. 2018. Assessing the impact of the MRBI [Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative] program in a data limited Arkansas Watershed using the SWAT model. Agricultural Water Management, 202:202-219. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.02.012]
Watersheds ; Resource conservation ; Best practices ; Development programmes ; Water quality ; Stream flow ; Ponds ; Wetlands ; Soils ; Land use ; Simulation models ; Crop management ; Cover plants ; Grassland management ; Forage ; Biomass production / USA / Arkansas / Lake Conway Point Remove Watershed / Mississippi River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048717)
(1.36 MB)
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) developed the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative (MRBI) program to improve the health, water quality and wildlife habitat within the Mississippi River Basin. Lake Conway Point Remove (LCPR) watershed was identified as one of the watersheds for the MRBI program implementation. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the MRBI program in LCPR watershed using a computer simulation model. Seven best management practices (BMPs) (pond, wetland, pond and wetland, cover crops, vegetative filter strips, grassed waterways and forage and biomass planting) were modelled under four placement strategies: random placement in 30% of the watershed, random placement in 30% hydrologic response units (HRUs) of the high priority hydrological unit code (HUCs), placement in the top 30% of the high priority HUCs, and top 30% of the HRUs in the HUCs near the outlet of the watershed. The model was calibrated for flow for the period 1987–2006 and validated for the period 2007–2012. Sediment and nutrients were validated from 2011 to 2012. Out of the BMPs evaluated, grassed waterways proved to be the most effective BMP in reducing sediment and nutrient loads from row crop (soy beans) and pasture fields. Reductions at the watershed outlet ranged 0–1% for flow, 0.28–14% for sediment, 0.3–10% for TP and 0.3–9% for TN. Relatively higher reductions were observed at the subwatershed level, flow reductions ranged 0–51%, sediment reductions -1 to 79%, TP -1 to 65% and TN -0.37 to 66% depending on BMP type, placement scenario, and watershed characteristics. The results from this study provide the data to help prioritize monitoring needs for collecting watershed response data in LCPR and BMP implementation evaluations, which could be used to inform decisions in similar studies.
3 Erkossa, Teklu; Geleti, D.; Williams, Timothy O.; Laekemariam, F.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2022. Restoration of grazing land to increase biomass production and improve soil properties in the Blue Nile Basin: effects of infiltration trenches and Chloris gayana reseeding. Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 37(S1):S64-S72. (Special issue: Restoring Degraded Landscapes and Fragile Food Systems) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742170519000425]
Land restoration ; Grazing lands ; Biomass production ; Soil properties ; Chloris gayana ; Trenches ; Resowing ; Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Soil water content ; Soil quality ; Soil chemical properties ; Farmers ; Innovation platforms / Ethiopia / Blue Nile Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049501)
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/EF93585DCF6E543CEA679E80E1AF381A/S1742170519000425a.pdf/restoration_of_grazing_land_to_increase_biomass_production_and_improve_soil_properties_in_the_blue_nile_basin_effects_of_infiltration_trenches_and_chloris_gayana_reseeding.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049501.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049501.pdf
(0.54 MB) (552 KB)
Degradation of crop and grazing lands is a pervasive problem that negatively impacts agricultural productivity and livelihoods of crop-livestock farmers in the Blue Nile basin of Ethiopia. Area enclosure together with a cut and carry livestock feeding system is often advocated as an approach for the regeneration of degraded grazing lands. This paper reports the results of a two-year farmer participatory study conducted to assess the effects of infiltration trenches (ITs) and Chloris gayana Kunth (Rhodes grass; cultivar Masaba; tetraploid; C4 grass species) reseeding on restoration of degraded grazing lands. A split plot design was used with IT as the main plot and C. gayana reseeding as a sub-plot on 28 private grazing plots under enclosure. The results showed that IT alone increased soil moisture content and prolonged the growing period. IT and C. gayana reseeding together significantly (P = 0.05) increased herbage dry matter yield and improved soil chemical properties. The highest mean herbage dry matter yield (21 Mg ha-1 per cut) was recorded for plots treated with IT and reseeded with C. gayana. The higher herbage dry matter yield was attributed to increased soil moisture and the resultant prolonged growing period induced by the trenches coupled with the ability of C. gayana to effectively utilize the retained water. The results suggest that an integrated land management approach involving enclosure, in-situ water conservation and C. gayana reseeding can rapidly increase biomass productivity on degraded grazing lands while also enhancing soil quality with concomitant livelihood benefits for farmers.
4 Jalil, A.; Akhtar, F.; Awan, U. K. 2020. Evaluation of the AquaCrop model for winter wheat under different irrigation optimization strategies at the downstream Kabul River Basin of Afghanistan. Agricultural Water Management, 240:106321. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106321]
Irrigation scheduling ; Strategies ; Winter wheat ; Crop water use ; Water productivity ; Models ; Water scarcity ; Deficit irrigation ; Irrigation water ; Irrigated sites ; Soil moisture ; River basins ; Farmers ; Biomass production / Afghanistan / Kabul River Basin / Attawor Irrigation Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050211)
(1.81 MB)
Afghanistan has an arid to semi-arid climate where irrigated agriculture largely depends on scarce irrigation water supplies from snowmelt from the high raised mountains. Under growing water scarcity, farmers not only need to use the available water more wisely but have to develop alternative options for coping water scarcity. Deficit irrigation schedule can be one of the options to mitigate the adverse impacts of water scarcity on crop production. In the current study, FAO’s crop water productivity model (AquaCrop) was calibrated and validated with field data in Kabul River Basin (KRB) for wheat crop to simulate four different water scarcity scenarios (S-A: business-as-usual scenario, S-B: refilling the soil profile to field capacity upon 50 % water depletion, S-C: refilling the soil profile upon 100 % depletion and S-D: refilling the soil profile upon 130 % depletion occurrence) for resultant yield, water productivity (WP) and biomass production. Two wheat fields, namely A and B were monitored intensively for soil moisture content, meteorological situation, irrigation application and post-harvest data. Results show that the measured WP was 1.4 kg m-3 ETa and 1.5 kg m-3 ETa whereas, the actual (measured) water use efficiency (WUE) was 0.58 kg m-3 and 0.66 kg m-3 for Field A and Field B, respectively. The WP of the scenarios S-A, S-B, S-C and S-D was 2.0-2.1 kg m-3 ETa (for plot B and A), 2.5 kg m-3 ETa, 2.74 kg m-3 ETa and 2.8 kg m-3 ETa respectively. Similarly, yield under these scenarios was 6.4 ton ha-1 , 8.7 ton ha-1 , 7.4 ton ha-1 and 6.7 ton ha-1 respectively while the above ground biomass was 21.3 ton ha-1 , 21.8 ton ha-1 , 19 ton ha-1 and 18.3 ton ha-1 respectively. As a consequence, WP could increase by 92.8 %, 78 % and 95 % in S-B, S-C and S-D, respectively with reference to the measured WP. The optimized scenarios developed in this study can provide guidelines for policy makers and farming communities to mitigate the adverse impact of water scarcity through such innovative interventions.
5 Khanal, R.; Brady, M. P.; Stockle, C. O.; Rajagopalan, K.; Yoder, J.; Barber, M. E. 2021. The economic and environmental benefits of partial leasing of agricultural water rights. Water Resources Research, 57(11):e2021WR029712. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR029712]
Agriculture ; Water rights ; Economic benefits ; Environmental factors ; Watersheds ; River basins ; Stream flow ; Water market ; Irrigation water ; Crop production ; Biomass production ; Evapotranspiration ; Models / USA / Washington / Walla Walla River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050766)
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2021WR029712
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050766.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050766.pdf
(2.92 MB) (2.92 MB)
Balancing out-of-stream water demands and ecological instream flows is a difficult challenge in watershed-scale management. Many watersheds already experience acute and chronic water shortages during average runoff years and may face more frequent and severe droughts in some locations due to climate and demographic change. Water markets may mitigate the economic consequences of shortages, but their potential is limited by the prevalence of all-or-nothing irrigate-or-fallow crop water use strategies. Irrigation water generally provides diminishing returns for crop productivity, so it may be possible to reduce water application at the margin with only a small loss in crop production, creating water savings that could be leased for other uses. We explore this scenario by combining a crop growth and hydrology (CropSyst) model with an economic model of farm profits and water trading, and apply it to the Walla Walla Basin in Washington State. Our results suggest that partial leasing of water rights through a deficit-irrigation strategy could economically benefit annual crop growers while meaningfully increasing water availability for stream flow augmentation.
6 Chunga, B. A.; Marx, W.; Cai, Xueliang; de Clercq, W.; Watson, A.; Malota, M. 2023. Water allocation using system dynamic modelling in the aquaculture integrated with small-scale irrigation systems in Malawi. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 129:103355. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2022.103355]
Water allocation ; Modelling ; Aquaculture ; Small-scale irrigation ; Decision support systems ; Fish ponds ; Maize ; Crop production ; Soil water balance ; Water depth ; Water-use efficiency ; Biomass production ; Crop yield ; Water resources ; Rainfall ; Rural areas ; Farmers ; Climate change / Malawi / Zomba / Chingale
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051813)
(5.07 MB)
The agricultural sector is faced with numerous challenges including climate change and water scarcity in many developing countries. In order to address scarcity and improve water use efficiency for rural farmers, fish farming is being integrated with small-scale irrigation. However, there are challenges in how to allocate water between the two farming enterprises. This study explored the capabilities of system dynamics to allocate water between a fish pond and a crop field in Chingale, Malawi using a system dynamic software, Vensim™ PLE. For soil water and pond water, a simple water balance structure was built and connected to the crop growth structure. Simulations run for 125 days corresponding to the maize growth period. Model results are similar to the actual yield (about 3.5 ton/ha for hybrid) and biomass production (about 7 ton/ha) in the area. Results also show it was possible to maintain pond water depth at recommended depths for raising fish: fish stocking (1 m), operation of the pond (1.5–2.0 m) and harvesting of the fish (less than 1.2 m) throughout the maize growing period. While the study did not comprehensively build and simulate fish growth, the use of such simple tools would benefit rural farmers with few resources. Based on the promising capabilities and the results of the tool it is recommended that further comprehensive analysis to fully incorporate all key sub-components affecting crop and fish growth be carried out.
7 Somorin, Tosin; Gitau, J.; Agbefu, Dzifa; Gebrezgabher, Solomie. 2023. Biomass briquetting: a training module for trainers and practitioners. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions. 44p.
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052511)
(4.38 MB)
This training manual was primarily designed to support the training of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs on how to produce biomass briquettes from agricultural wastes and residues. Part 1 introduces key concepts in biomass briquette production and the benefits that may be realised. Further information on process parameters is also provided e.g., how operating conditions affect the quality and performance of biomass briquettes; what waste types, binders, and technologies are appropriate for biomass briquetting and the key safety considerations to be put in place to ensure a safe and sustainable enterprise. Part 2 provides step-by-step guidance on ‘how-to processes e.g., how to produce briquettes from different biomass or waste streams using carbonisation and non-carbonisation methods and how to use briquettes for fuel and other energy purposes safely. The manual was made available by CGIAR initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions (NATURE+). The training manual can be adapted as an operational or train-the-trainer manual for training community groups, enterprises, individuals, and organizations working or interested in waste management, circular economy, or renewable energy, particularly women and youth. No prior understanding is necessary although a basic background in natural sciences may be useful. Technical training may be facilitated with practical demonstrations.
8 Singh, J.; Angadi, S.; Begna, S.; VanLeeuwen, D.; Idowu, O. J.; Singh, P.; Trostle, C.; Gowda, P.; Brewer, C. 2024. Deficit irrigation strategy to sustain available water resources using guar. Industrial Crops and Products, 211:118272. (Online first) [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118272]
Water resources ; Water availability ; Irrigation water ; Rainfall ; Drought stress ; Irrigation management ; Biomass production ; Crop yield ; Aquifers ; Soil profiles
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052630)
(4.30 MB)
The gradual depletion of irrigation water is a major threat to the agricultural economy in the arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Drought–tolerant crops and improved irrigation management practices may help the sustainability of agriculture in the region. A three–year field experiment (2018–2020) was conducted to assess the effects of pre–and in–season irrigations on the physiology, biomass production, yield, and yield components of two diverse guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) cultivars. A split-split plot design was used, where the main plot was pre–irrigation, subplots consisted of in–season irrigation treatments, and sub-sub plots were cultivars. Each treatment was replicated four times each year. Pre–irrigation improved the averaged final seed yield by 32% compared to plots with no pre–irrigation. Seed yield was significantly affected by in–season growth stage based irrigation treatments. Averaged over the years, full irrigation achieved the highest seed yield, although not significantly different from no irrigation during the vegetative growth stage in any study year. Cultivar Kinman performed better than Monument in biomass production and seed yield. Overall, pre–irrigation improves guar growth and development, leading to greater seed yield and biomass production. The most sustainable strategy to utilize the available water resources will be to grow guar with restricted irrigation during the vegetative growth stage, save 22% of water, and maintain a similar seed yield to plots that received irrigation throughout the crop season.
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