Scientists from the REC for Altaic and Turkic Studies “The Greater Altai” have developed a technology for saving water when irrigating lands

Growing crops on arid soils is not an easy task that agronomists of Uzbekistan have to solve every day. Field irrigation is quite expensive. In addition, the use of water resources in large quantities leads to the drainage of natural water bodies. Scientists from the REC for Altaic and Turkic Studies of AltSU “The Greater Altai”, together with colleagues from Germany and Kazakhstan, have developed a resource-saving technology for the cultivation of arid lands. According to the authors, this work is of great importance for the development of agriculture and ecology.

“Resource conservation is an important trend for modern society. New technologies are designed to preserve moisture without irrigation, using the internal potential of the water regime. For research, we deployed agrometeorological stations in Russia (Altai Krai) and Kazakhstan - automatic meteorological stations with sensors installed at three different depths. They measure such parameters as temperature, humidity and the availability of soil moisture for plants,” Andrey Bondarovich, an associate professor at the Department of Economic Geography and Cartography of Altai State University, told Sputnik.

According to the scientist, the stations store the data received in the system and can broadcast it online, which allows researchers to conduct interactive analysis and measure whether there are enough internal water resources for plants.

The results of the analysis make it possible to conserve water or, in some cases, minimally cultivate the soil to provide deeper moisture so that it is more evenly consumed by plants throughout the season.

“Any technology that is designed to keep moisture without irrigation is important in the cultivation of land in agriculture in our region. Water is life, and the fate of the East depends on the art of irrigation, as was said by the classics. In the context of a changing climate, this will be even more important,” Mukhtor Nasyrov, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Academic Affairs of Samarkand State University, told Sputnik.

He noted that the new technology will ensure the conservation of water resources for agriculture in Uzbekistan and simulate the consequences of water shortage under various scenarios.

“Such elements of precision farming will also improve programs for the training of scientific and pedagogical personnel for agricultural production,” added Mukhtor Nasyrov.

The study was carried out within the framework of the project "Turkic-Mongolian world of the Greater Altai", through the REC "The Greater Altai", the purpose of which is to unite scientists based on the study of the common history of the Turkic, Altaic and Slavic peoples, as well as to find ways to solve the common for all peoples of the Central Asia problems. The results of the study can be applied in different countries where there are similar climatic conditions and problems.