The objective of I-ReWater is to carry out two pilot demonstration projects on the efficient use of reclaimed water in irrigation, applied to horticultural crops (industrial tomatoes and watermelons) and woody crops (olive trees, almond trees, vineyards and hops), which are of great social, economic and cultural importance in the SUDOE area.
A total of 15 experiments will be carried out (13 on woody crops and 2 on horticultural crops), taking into account different socio-cultural and environmental contexts in different areas: Abegondo, Cubillos del Sil, Logroño, Baix Llobregat, Maials, Carrión de los Céspedes (ES); Gruissan, Lot-et-Garonne, Taizé-Aizie (FR); and Alfândega da Fé, Mirandela, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Arraiolos (PT).
In order to determine the specific characteristics of water and soil quality, as well as the nutritional status of the plants, the following activities will be carried out:
– Irrigation water assessment: This assessment will be carried out during 2-3 irrigation campaigns, on a fortnightly or monthly basis, depending on the type of crop. The parameters established in Regulation (EU) 2020/741 will be used for minimum quality classes A or B (Baix Llobregat, Spain) and class C for all other crops, where irrigation will be carried out by surface or underground drip irrigation. In addition, temperature, pH, conductivity and macronutrients (N, P and K) will be analysed.
– Soil assessment: Samples will be taken in two sub-areas of the total irrigated area, at two different depths: in the wet bulb and below it. Samples will be taken before and after the end of the irrigation campaign. The parameters to be analysed will be: texture, pH, conductivity, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, Cl-, SO42-, carbonates, bicarbonates, SAR, N, P, K, exchange acidity and organic matter content.
– Assessment of the nutritional status of plants: This will be determined based on the elemental composition of leaf tissue. Samples will be collected before and after the end of the irrigation season, coinciding with the reference dates for each crop. Macronutrients (N, P and K), micronutrients (Fe, Mn and B) and salts (Cl-, Na+) will be analysed.
