Moistube Irrigation Technology: A Review

摘要

Irrigated agriculture is under pressure to increase water use efficiency and crop water productivity because of inter-sectoral competition for scarce water resources. The shift to micro-irrigation has improved crop quality, yield and water use efficiency. Subsurface drip irrigation significantly reduces non-beneficial water balance components such as runoff and soil evaporation. However, the problem of water loss by deep percolation still exists in this method. Moistube irrigation is a relatively new type of irrigation method where water flows out of the Moistube nanopores as a function of soil water potential and operating pressure. It supplies water continuously to the crop at 80-90% of the field capacity. Therefore, it is a form of deficit irrigation. Based on the previous studies, this paper reviews Moistube irrigation technology by highlighting its hydraulic characteristics, crop growth and yield response, water use efficiency, clogging characteristics and the soil water dynamics. Areas which need further research are also described which can provide a reference for further studies in the relevant area.