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Open research questions in Irrigation Practices and Water Management

153 gap statements mined from Irrigation Practices and Water Management papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,048 papers on the topic — drawn mostly from each paper's own stated research gap, future-work, challenge and limitation notes, and its abstract. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one.

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What the literature leaves open

  • The study only considered a limited number of mulching treatments.

    Maize Straw Strip Mulching Mediated Transformation of Soil Organic Nitrogen Across Soil Depths in Wheat and Potato Cultivation · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the specific mechanisms by which the frequency of split nitrogen fertilizer applications influences cotton yield and NRE under water-fertilizer integration conditions remain poorly understood.

    Effects of nitrogen application frequency under integrated water and fertiliser management on soil physicochemical properties, dry matter accumulation, photosynthetic characteristics and yield · 2026 · DOI

  • While this study demonstrates clear benefits for the ‘Alisa’ cultivar, further research is needed to evaluate the cultivar-dependent variability in MT responsiveness across the diverse genetic spectrum of tomato.

    Harnessing foliar-applied melatonin to improve yield and stress tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under deficit irrigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies could apply several EFR estimation methods and compare their results. Studies could also include other sustainability criteria than EFRs to account for sustainable blue water management.

    Shifting water scarcities: irrigation alleviates agricultural green water deficits while increasing blue water scarcity · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to quantify the impact of irrigation on green and blue water scarcity. There is a lack of studies that consider both green and blue water scarcity in agricultural areas.

    Shifting water scarcities: irrigation alleviates agricultural green water deficits while increasing blue water scarcity · 2026 · DOI

  • The study identifies a gap in the development of methods that will improve the ability to efficiently produce crops under heat stress conditions. The research aims to address the challenge of heat stress affecting tomato production.

    Enhancing the sustainability of tomato production and achieving food security through the interaction between organic and inorganic fertilization in improving soil properties under heat stress conditions · 2026 · DOI

  • This research has not yet incorporated anti-clogging performance into the modeling and optimization framework, which is an important limitation of this paper. The scope of the research at this stage is clearly limited to accurate prediction and optimization of hydraulic performance.

    A predictive model for flow index performance of pit drip irrigation emitters using BP-PSO algorithm · 2026 · DOI

  • The optimal irrigation amount and its yield-driving mechanisms remain unclear. The effects of FSWI on soil function and crop yield in saline-alkali soil are not well understood.

    Soil function reshaping and crop yield driving mechanisms in saline-alkali soil under freezing saline water irrigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Freezing saline water irrigation (FSWI) offers a potential strategy for using saline water during the freeze-thaw period, but the optimal irrigation amount and its yield-driving mechanisms remain unclear.

    Soil function reshaping and crop yield driving mechanisms in saline-alkali soil under freezing saline water irrigation · 2026 · DOI

  • Domain challenges include the nonlinear responses of crops to irrigation and nitrogen input. Experimental design challenges include the arrangement of a two-factor randomized block design with limited field observations.

    Simulation of Silage Maize Dry Matter and Mean 0–30 cm Soil Moisture at Maturity Using the Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 (RZWQM2) for Irrigation–Nitrogen Management in the Hexi Irrigation District · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of comprehensive assessments of soil salinization processes and irrigation system efficiency in the Zhetysai district. The need for integrated approaches to evaluate the impact of irrigation on groundwater regime and soil salinity.

    Integral assessment of soil salinization and water resource use condition for the purpose of sustainable land use · 2026 · DOI

  • The need to ensure food security in the face of climate change. The outdated irrigation infrastructure in the study region.

    Assessing farmers' decisions toinvest in two water-saving irrigation methods using stochastic dynamicprogramming · 2026 · DOI

  • The research aims to address the challenge of water management in agriculture.

    Assessing farmers' decisions toinvest in two water-saving irrigation methods using stochastic dynamicprogramming · 2026 · DOI

  • Water scarcity and climate change require efficient use of water in agriculture. Irrigation management is crucial for ensuring the stability of agricultural production. Accurate estimates of crop water requirements are needed for black pepper production.

    Water demand of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) determined by NDVI · 2026 · DOI

  • Further studies could investigate the application of NDVI-based estimates for other crops. The development of more efficient irrigation systems for black pepper production could be explored.

    Water demand of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) determined by NDVI · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for efficient in-situ moisture conservation practices in dryland ecosystems. The lack of understanding of the effects of moisture conservation practices on soil moisture dynamics, crop productivity, and profitability.

    Soil moisture dynamics, thermal regulation and crop yield responses to tillage practices in dryland Alfisols · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need to evaluate the effects of different soil and water conservation treatments on soil moisture and wheat productivity in rainfed agroecosystems. The study aims to address this gap by comparing the effects of four conservation treatments.

    Evaluating the effects of soil and water conservation measures on soil moisture regimes and crop performance in Jammu’s rainfed agroecosystems · 2026 · DOI

  • Many models lack explicit mulch modules or have not been tested for this purpose. The limited availability of local biomass or its conflict with other uses, and the labor-intensive nature and high transportation costs of its application are challenges to its broader adoption. Current modeling approaches have limitations in representing mulch effects.

    Mulch representation in soil-crop models · 2026 · DOI

  • Investigate the effects of straw strip mulching on soil nitrogen pools in other regions. Examine the impact of straw strip mulching on other crops. Explore the effects of different mulching materials on soil nitrogen fractions.

    Maize Straw Strip Mulching Mediated Transformation of Soil Organic Nitrogen Across Soil Depths in Wheat and Potato Cultivation · 2026 · DOI

  • Soil water depletion was more severe when irrigation water was limited to a greater extent (I4) reflecting its incapability of favoring water limited adaptation mechanism or the enhanced root plasticity.

    Assessing the effect of deficit irrigation and biochar application on soil water depletion, root distribution, and water productivity of cucumber in semi-arid West Texas · 2026 · DOI

  • The study used a simulation model, - The experiment was arranged as a two-factor randomized block design with limited treatment combinations, - The study was conducted in a specific region and may not be generalizable to other…

    Simulation of Silage Maize Dry Matter and Mean 0–30 cm Soil Moisture at Maturity Using the Root Zone Water Quality Model 2 (RZWQM2) for Irrigation–Nitrogen Management in the Hexi Irrigation District · 2026 · DOI

  • Applying the proposed integrated assessment approach to other irrigated regions of Kazakhstan. Enhancing agroecosystem resilience and ecological sustainability through optimized water resource management and sustainable land reclamation measures.

    Integral assessment of soil salinization and water resource use condition for the purpose of sustainable land use · 2026 · DOI

  • Climate change affects agricultural security, - Limited access to efficient and sustainable irrigation technologies, - High installation costs of Solar…

    Comparison of Water Pump Technologies for Climate-Resilient Irrigation Systems · 2026 · DOI

  • Limited research on the comparison of different water pump technologies for climate-resilient irrigation systems, - Need for evaluation of the performance of these technologies in real farming…

    Comparison of Water Pump Technologies for Climate-Resilient Irrigation Systems · 2026 · DOI

  • The development of comprehensive and transferable models that simulate mulch effects on soil processes. The use of finite element models such as Hydrus-1D and SWAP to simulate mulch effects. The evaluation of the effects of mulch on soil quality and crop performance under varying environmental conditions.

    Mulch representation in soil-crop models · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Irrigation Practices and Water Management

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Open questions raised by papers listed on this page include: (1) The specific mechanisms by which the frequency of split nitrogen fertilizer applications influences cotton yield and NRE under water-fertilizer integration conditions remain poorly understood (“Effects of nitrogen application frequency under integrated water and fertiliser…”, 2026); (2) Further studies could apply several EFR estimation methods and compare their results (“Shifting water scarcities: irrigation alleviates agricultural green water…”, 2026); (3) The optimal irrigation amount and its yield-driving mechanisms remain unclear (“Soil function reshaping and crop yield driving mechanisms in saline-alkali soil…”, 2026); (4) The lack of comprehensive assessments of soil salinization processes and irrigation system efficiency in the Zhetysai district (“Integral assessment of soil salinization and water resource use condition for…”, 2026); (5) Accurate estimates of crop water requirements are needed for black pepper production (“Water demand of black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) determined by NDVI”, 2026). 153 gap statements have been mined from Irrigation Practices and Water Management papers in our 4.5M-paper local library, which holds 1,048 papers on the topic; the gaps come from whichever of those papers state one. They are mostly the research gaps the authors state and the papers' abstracts, plus future-work, limitations and challenges passages. The ones listed below are a selection still marked open; each names the study that raised it, with a DOI link where the paper has one, so you can read the original claim in context.

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