Evaluation of soil water regime in the viable irrigation systems from Romania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the active soil moisture range, soil water deficit, and water requirements for plant consumption at agricultural parcel level (NUTS5) where irrigation is applied. In order to evaluate the active soil moisture range, soil water deficit, and water requirements for plant consumption, the method used values of hydrophysical indices (field capacity, wilting point, and active soil moisture range), potential evapotranspiration according to Thornthwaite equation and climatic data for the time period 1961-2014. The evaluations of the different indicators were done at agricultural parcel level fitted within the viable irrigation systems. Irrigated agricultural parcels (NUTS5) are located mostly in the viable irrigation systems from Romanian Plain, south of Moldavia and Dobrogea. The obtained results showed a high variation of the active soil moisture range values. Low values are recorded especially in viable irrigation systems from south part of the country. High and very high values are recorded in eastern and south-eastern part of the country. There is a high water deficit in the most areas of the viable irrigation systems which require irrigation application. High values of water requirement were recorded in south and south-east. This means that there is a high water demand for crop consumption, especially during drought periods.