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Irrigation water management is the act of timing and regulating irrigation water applications in a way that will satisfy the water requirement of the crop without the waste of water, soil, plant nutrients, or energy. It means applying water according to crop needs in amounts that can be held in the soil available to crops and at rates consistent with the intake characteristics of the soil and the erosion hazard of the site. Proper water management planning in irrigation must consider all uses of water, from the source of irrigation water to plant water use. Therefore, it is very important to differentiate between crop water requirements and irrigation or production system water requirements.

This book entitled ‘Agricultural Water Management’ covers different issues and problematics of irrigated agriculture from water use in different irrigated systems to pollution generated by irrigated agriculture. The purpose of this book is to bring together and integrate the subject matter that deals with the equity, profitability and irrigation water pricing; modelling, monitoring and assessment techniques; sustainable irrigation development and management, and strategies for irrigation water supply and conservation. Moreover, the book also includes chapters that deal with new possibilities of improving irrigation techniques through the reuse of drainage water and wastewater, helping to reduce freshwater extractions.

The worldwide contributions from outstanding scientists and experts provide detailed information about different topics and give overview of the current issues in water management. The book covers a wide range of current issues, reflecting on current problems and demonstrating the complexity of water management.