A review on Partial root-zone drying (PRD): A modern irrigation technique

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for 3 years from 2000 to 2002 to assess proportional crop yield differences obtained under conventional deficit irrigation (CDI) and partial root-zone irrigation (PRI) practices, compared with full irrigation (FULL) where plant water requirements were fully met. The experimental crops included vegetables (tomato and pepper), field crops (maize and cotton) and citrus. The fruit yield of greenhouse-grown tomato with FULL irrigation was higher than with PRI (7–22% lower) but was not significantly different. The PRD irrigation is a novel improvement of deficit irrigation in which half of the root zone is irrigated alternatively in scheduled irrigation events. In the last decade, scientists across the world, especially from arid to semi-arid countries, have extensively evaluated this irrigation as a water-saving irrigation strategy on agronomic and horticultural plants. This review paper focuses on the physiological and morphological aspects of PRD on plants and its ultimate impact on yield and water productivity. Overall, under limited water resources where water is precious, PRD is a viable irrigation option to increase water productivity while margining the yield, rather than only increasing the economic yield without concerning the value of water in limited water environments.