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Water Implications of Biofuels Production in the United States (2008) / Chapter Skim
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4 Agricultural Practices and Technologies to Reduce Water Impacts
Pages 37-44

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From page 37...
... There are several irrigation techniques that reduce the amount of water applied per unit of biomass produced, thus improving irrigation efficiency regardless of crop type. For example, subsurface drip irrigation systems minimize the amount of water lost due to evaporation and runoff by being buried directly beneath the crop and applying water directly to the root zone, thus keeping the soil surface dry (Payero et al., 2005)
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From page 38...
... On the other hand, if lower water withdrawals from a stream only serve to make additional water available for junior water rights holders, the net effect on the regional water budget might be negligible. Soil Erosion Prevention As pointed out in the previous chapter, soil erosion can impair the water quality of streams and rivers and also contribute to nutrient pollution.
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From page 39...
... Agricultural Practices and Technologies to Reduce Water Impacts 39 FIGURE 4-1 Terraces, conservation tillage, and conservation buffers, Woodbury County, northwest Iowa. SOURCE: Photo by Lynn Betts, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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From page 40...
... Nutrient Pollution Reduction There are various nutrient management techniques that can reduce the amounts of N and P in stream runoff and groundwater. One technique is using enhanced efficiency fertilizers that match nitrogen fertilizer applica tions to the nitrogen uptake patterns of various crops.
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From page 41...
... This variability can include soil pH, soil moisture, soil depth, soil type, soil texture, topography, pest populations, nutrient levels, organic matter content, expected yield, etc. Key tools that have catalyzed the development of PA include Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
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From page 42...
... Systems that utilize sensors to assess color and health of crop plants, as well as variable-rate nutrient applications based on soil management zones and aerial photography, should find success with multiple types of feedstocks. Perennial feedstocks such as switchgrass or other native grasses would be in the field longer and thus should provide a greater opportunity to apply PA technologies.
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From page 43...
... Finally, biotechnology research and development can be important in improving lignocellulosic, microbial, and bioconversion as well as thermochemical conversion technologies. Although the cost of cellulolytic enzymes, which are used to break down these forms of biomass into biofuels, has decreased in recent years, sugar release from biomass still remains an expensive and slow step, perhaps the most critical in the overall process.
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From page 44...
... Copyright by Jeff Veire/Imagery-Photo.com
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Key Terms

  • soil erosion
  • conservation tillage
  • continuous corn
  • soil loss
  • soil surface

  • available online
  • universal soil
  • soil moisture
  • water resources
  • irrigation water

  • resources conservation
  • personal commun
  • crop residues
  • conservation service
  • loss equation

  • irrigation techniques
  • production efficiency
  • revised universal
  • subsurface drip
  • drip irrigation

  • reduce soil
  • water directly
  • efficient irrigation
  • reclaimed water
  • crop residue

  • regional water
  • agricultural water
  • limiting soil
  • additional water
  • soil depth


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