Integrating Agricultural Water-saving Technologies in Hetao Irrigation District

Hetao irrigation district is the largest single gravity irrigation district in China and even Asia.At present,the main problems of field irrigation in Hetao irrigation district are lack of water source,irrigation structure aging,low engineering standards,slow promotion of water-saving irrigation techniques,serious waste of irrigation water and others.To solve these problems,Hetao irrigation district should take account of some integrated technologies,such as engineering,agricultural,chemical,and management water saving,etc.Engineering water saving should start from channel lining,laser land leveling,small plot irrigation and others.At the same time,water-saving irrigation should be promoted actively and the groundwater should be use rationally.Agricultural water saving should focus on cultivation planning,agronomic water saving,deep plowing,straw returning,and surface evaporation reduction.Chemical water saving could be active promotion and application of drought-resistant reagents,super absorbent polymers,and other chemical regulation agents.Management water saving could include water management strengthening,system improving,and establishment of water user associations.