Application of alternative sources of water in agricultural food production - current trends and future prospects

Authors: RAO, AISHWARYA - University Of Maryland; Patel, Jitu; PRADHAN, ABANI - University Of Maryland

Submitted to: Current Opinion in Food Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2022
Publication Date: 6/9/2022
Citation: Rao, A., Patel, J.R., Pradhan, A. 2022. Application of alternative sources of water in agricultural food production - current trends and future prospects. Current Opinion in Food Science. 47. Article 100877. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100877.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100877

Interpretive Summary: Significant increase in food production is required to meet the increasing demand of the world's growing population. Climatic conditions such as drought reduces availability of water required for irrigation of agriculture crops. Non-traditional irrigation waters such as treated wastewater and roof-harvest rain waters may have potential use for agriculture provided that these waters meet or exceed microbiological and chemical criteria for irrigation. Regulations exist in various nations including certain regions of the U.S. regarding reuse of non-traditional waters for irrigation. This study focuses on the recent research and current regulatory trends seen with respect to water reuse systems. Novel technologies such as computational modeling and simulation should be employed to thoroughly assess the risks associated with using non-traditional water sources for crops for human consumption. The research provides additional means of irrigation waters to growers during limited water resources.

Technical Abstract: Irrigation water has been identified as a source of contamination in recent produce-linked outbreaks. With seasonal variations in climate changes, factors such as drought have a profound effect on agriculture. Recent studies have analyzed various water sources to establish microbial and chemical profiles to determine if they are fit for use as irrigation water in fresh produce fields. This study focuses on the recent research done and current regulatory trends seen with respect to water reuse systems. Alternative irrigation sources are being applied to crops not for human consumption but need an extensive health-based assessment before they can be applied to food crops in the field. This paves the way for novel technologies such as computational modeling and simulation to thoroughly assess the risks associated with using non-traditional water sources for crops for human consumption.