Impact of Drip Irrigation on Crop Growth, Yield, Water Productivity, and Weed Dynamics: A Review

The global water scenario indicates efficient water management practices are required to sustain agricultural productivity. The scarcity of groundwater resources is a global issue that is caused by increasing global population and climate change in the form of global warming. To alleviate the issue, the major water-consuming area implemented drip irrigation projects. It is recognized for its water-saving potential and gained prominence in crop cultivation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of drip irrigation on the growth, yield, water productivity, and weed dynamics of various crops. Results revealed that wheat under drip irrigation exhibited enhanced growth parameters, including increased plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation attributed to optimized soil moisture content. Drip irrigation significantly improved yield and yield attributes compared to traditional irrigation methods. Importantly, drip irrigation increased water productivity while reducing water use per unit of production. These findings highlight the potential of drip irrigation to reduce water shortages and increase crop output in the current global water context.