The physiological responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Folva) to partial root-zone drying (PRD) were investigated in potted plants in a greenhouse (GH) and in plants grown in the field under an automatic rain-out-shelter. In the GH, irrigation was applied daily to the whole root system (FI), or to one-half of the root system while the other half was dried, for 9 d. In the field, the plants were drip irrigated either to the whole root system near field capacity (FI) or using 70% water of FI to one side of the roots, and shifted to the other side every 5–10 d (PRD). PRD plants had a similar midday leaf water potential to that of FI, whereas in the GH their root water potential (Ψ_r) was significantly lowered after 5 d. Stomatal conductance (g_s) was more sensitive to PRD than photosynthesis (A) particularly in the field, leading to greater intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE) (i.e. A/g_s) in PRD than in FI plants on several days. In PRD, the xylem sap abscisic acid concentration ([ABA]_xylem) increased exponentially with decreasing Ψ_r; and the relative [ABA]_xylem (PRD/FI) increased exponentially as the fraction of transpirable soil water (FTSW) in the drying side decreased. In the field, the leaf area index was slightly less in PRD than in FI treatment, while tuber biomass was similar for the two treatments. Compared with FI, PRD treatment saved 30% water and increased crop water use efficiency (WUE) by 59%. Restrictions on leaf area expansion and g_s by PRD-induced ABA signals might have contributed to reduced water use and increased WUE.

The present paper aims to estimate the areas equipped for irrigation and desirability of agricultural water management in the world. For this purpose, all necessary information was gathered from Food and Agriculture Organization and checked using World Bank Group. The selected 18 indices were analysed for all 26 regions in the area studied, and the extent of area equipped for irrigation to cultivated area was estimated by 2 different formulas and other 9 indices. In addition, an average index was calculated using various methods to assess region conditions for agricultural water management. The results show that Central Asia is the best region for agricultural water management and the value of relative error is less than 20%. The capability of irrigation and drainage systems was studied using other eight indices with more limited information. The results indicated that trial-and-error policies should be avoided and expert comments be applied to irrigation systems for any crop.