Author
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UNGER, PAUL - USDA-ARS RETIRED |
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Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Soil Science
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 1/6/2006 Publication Date: 5/15/2006 Citation: Unger, P.W. 2006. Water conservation in soil. In: Lal, R., (editor). Encyclopedia of Soil Science. Dekker Encyclopedias, Francis and Taylor Publications Group, New York, New York. p. 1844-1846. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Water conservation is important for agricultural, residential, industrial, and recreational users in all climatic regions, but becomes increasingly important when going from humid to semiarid and arid regions. This report briefly describes techniques that can be used to increase the storage of water in soil for agricultural purposes and, thereby, improve crop production. For agriculture, water is essential for optimum growth and development of all crops. Water conservation can be achieved by providing soil conditions that reduce runoff of water from precipitation and irrigation, thus increasing infiltration of the water and its storage in the soil. Other means of conserving water in soil are by reducing evaporation, reducing water use by noncrop plants (weeds), and avoiding deep drainage of water. When effective water conservation practices are used, good crop production is possible without irrigation in subhumid and semiarid regions. |
