Evolution and Attribution of Autumn Irrigation and Spring Irrigation in the Hetao Irrigation District

WANG Ruiping; XIA Yuhong; WANG Huiyong; Cui Hao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1004-7328.2025.06.014

Abstract：Autumn irrigation and spring irrigation in the Hetao Irrigation District represent a beneficial exploration and accumulation of experience tailored to the region's development,forming a unique non-growing season irrigation system through years of practice.The reduction in Yellow River water diversion,the implementation of water-saving renovation projects,and the expansion of irrigated farmland have led to a series of changes in agricultural water pricing,cropping patterns,groundwater depth,and irrigation systems.To clarify the alternating changes between autumn and spring irrigation,the patterns of water diversion,irrigated area,and groundwater depth since 1998 were summarized.Also the impacts of factors such as cropping structure,crop varieties,water pricing,and agricultural engineering on the irrigation regimes of autumn and spring irrigation were analyzed.The results showed that the average gross irrigation quota for autumn irrigation increased with the rising groundwater depth,and the deeper the groundwater,the higher the irrigation quota.Factors such as the adjustment of cropping structure,the update of crop varieties,the reform of agricultural water pricing,and the implementation of agricultural projects facilitated the replacement of part of autumn irrigation with spring irrigation.Autumn irrigation and spring irrigation became two critical stages within a single water-use cycle,complementing and synergistically regulating each other.