1. Sustainable Use of Water and Soil Resources
1.1. Evapotranspiration and Irrigation Needs of Crops
Characterisation of evapotranspiration of crops and natural areas by means of weighing lysimetry, micrometeorological and physiological techniques, and remote sensing. Study of the spatial and temporal variability of evapotranspiration. Determination of the water and irrigation needs of the major crops in Aragon.
1.2. Diagnosis and Improvement of Irrigation at thwe Plot level
Modelling and programming of irrigation systems. Analysis of modernisation alternatives. Analysis of the environmental and structural factors that influence the management of irrigation systems.
1.3. Diagnosis and Support for Irrigation Management in Irrigation Communities and Irrigable Areas
Development of computer applications for water management (Ador programme). Estimate of irrigation water volumes by means of remote sensing (Irrivol). Irrigation modelling and programming in irrigation communities. Analysis of the environmental and structural factors that limit management.
1.4. Morphology, Mapping and Soil Evaluation
Identification of alternative uses. Remote sensing of soil surface and humidity conditions. Soil salinity mapping. Response of soils to irrigation water quality.
2. Environmental Impact of Agricultural Activities
2.1. Environmental Impact of Irrigation: Soils
Exploration of salinity and other soil variables by means of conventional techniques and georreferenced remote sensors. Analysis of the spatial and temporal variability (trends) of salinity of soils under irrigation. Soil contamination control techniques.
2.2. Environmental Impact of Irrigation: Waters
Quantification of the volume and quality of irrigation returns by means of mass balance studies. Diffuse pollution prediction and control strategies by means of simulation models. Hydrogeological modelling of aquifers. Design and development of the Quality Control Network of the Irrigation areas in the Ebro basin. Water pollution control techniques.
2.3. Study of Habitats of Interest in Agricultural Areas.
Generation of thematic mapping and maps of the functional capacity of wetlands in the face of agricultural intensification. Application of remote sensing to the study of the wetlands and its interface with crops. Formulation of bio-geo-soil-diversity indexes and agricultural production indexes in order to combine agricultural policies with the conservation of the environment. Wetland pollution control techniques.
3. Crop Agronomy
3.1. Response of Crops to Abiotic Stresses
Effects of water and saline stresses on harvest quantity and quality. Controlled deficit irrigation in woody crops. Crop tolerance and strategies of use of low-quality waters in sprinkler irrigation. Application of crop simulation models.
3.2. Nitrogen Fertilisation Optimisation and of Nitrate Leaching Control
Development of decision support tools to improve nitrogen use efficiency in conventional and non-conventional fertilisers. Fertilisation and harvest quality. Nitrogen-catch crops in intercrop corn periods. Application of crop simulation models.
3.3. Use of liquid pig manure as fertiliser.
Nitrogen use efficiency, evaluation of the residual effect and effects on waters (nitrate) and soils (phosphorous, organic matter, heavy metals). Management guidelines to reduce nitrogen losses due to leaching and volatilisation.
3.4. Agronomic Applications of Remote sensing
Crop identification and monitoring. Estimate of biophysical variables. Intra-plot detection of irregularities and abiotic stresses. Evapotranspiration estimates in irrigable areas.