Irrigation Management and Innovative Approaches in Cotton Under Climate Change

Cotton is primarily used as a raw material for textiles and garments but is also used for feed and energy. Climate change and water scarcity pose new challenges for cotton irrigation management. Since cotton is one of the most water-consuming crops, it can be irrigated with all irrigation methods if the necessary technical conditions are met. However, surface drip irrigation (SDI) and subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI) saved about 37–42% of water, respectively, compared to furrow irrigation. One of the ways to reduce water use and increase water efficiency in cotton is to use new technologies with pressurized irrigation systems and automation. This is based on some evaluation criteria such as irrigation system efficiency (%), distribution uniformity DU (%), total irrigation water used (m3 ha−1), water productivity (kg m-3) and water economy, irrigation water economical productivity ($ m−3), and farmer's net income ($ ha−1). For this, besides use of the drip irrigation, use of some soil and plant-based innovative and technological methods and devices has become important in order to save water and increase water efficiency and productivity.