Water in Mediterranean Soils at the Heart of the Agroecological Transition

Abstract

In Mediterranean regions, the challenges posed by climate change, marked by prolonged periods of drought and rising temperatures, have underscored the significance of irrigation as a critical response to mitigate the impacts on crop evapotranspiration and soil water balance. However, the escalating use of water for irrigation, particularly in southern regions, presents major challenges in terms of water withdrawals. To address these challenges, the transition towards agroecological farming, notably through the adoption of conservation agriculture (CA), emerges as a promising solution. Research indicates that CA enhances water infiltration and retention, thus providing an opportunity to optimize irrigation water use. An ongoing research project at the Société du Canal de Provence and INRAE Montpellier focuses on this transition by evaluating the evolution of soil properties following the adoption of CA and analyzing its performance in terms of irrigation management. This project encompasses three primary objectives, ranging from characterizing soil properties and irrigation practices to adapting simulation models to optimize irrigation for CA crops. Preliminary results are presented, exposing the short-term effects of ACS on soil hydrodynamic properties and agronomic performances after its adoption, as well as the temporal importance of conservation practices, which may have different effects in the long term. In addition, initial simulations have been conducted to validate the Optirrig ACS model. The conclusion of this project is anticipated by the end of 2024.