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Plant Science Today (PST)

Review Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp9 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Advances in micro-irrigation and supplementary irrigation in millets of dryland ecosystems

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.16312
Submitted
24 June 2026
Published
14-10-2026

Abstract

Dryland ecosystems cover approximately 41 % of the Earth's terrestrial surface and support nearly two billion people. This review synthesises recent advances in micro-irrigation and supplementary irrigation strategies for enhancing millet productivity and resilience in dryland ecosystems. Drylands are characterised by low and erratic rainfall, high evapotranspiration, poor soil fertility and frequent drought stress, making agricultural production vulnerable to climate variability and water scarcity. Millets are drought-tolerant, climate-resilient cereals cultivated in dryland agroecosystems. Despite their resilience, millet productivity remains constrained by increasing rainfall variability, prolonged intra-seasonal dry spells and rising atmospheric aridity associated with climate change. Evidence from semi-arid and arid regions indicates that micro-irrigation systems, including drip, subsurface drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation, significantly improve yield and biomass accumulation compared to conventional surface irrigation methods. These irrigation systems also enhance water use efficiency (WUE) and nutrient use efficiency (NUE), making them highly suitable for millet production in dryland ecosystems. The integration of fertigation further improves nutrient synchronisation with crop demand, reduces leaching losses and supports soil fertility. The review also highlights optimised irrigation scheduling based on evapotranspiration, soil moisture thresholds, deficit irrigation principles and sensor-based automation. Smart irrigation technologies incorporating soil moisture sensors and Internet of Things (IoT)-based control systems show strong potential to enhance precision water management and reduce water consumption by up to 30–35 %. Their adoption, supported by technological innovation, policy frameworks and location-specific research, will promote sustainable water management and resource-use efficiency in millet-based dryland ecosystems. Future research should focus on optimising irrigation scheduling, smart technologies and cost-effective solutions for water-limited environments.

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