Evaluation of virtual water and water consumption intensity in the production of horticultural products in Alborz province in the current and optimal conditions

In this study, the area under cultivation, average irrigation water and orchard yield were determined by field studies by researchers. Indicators of water consumption, virtual water, water productivity, virtual water consumed and water consumption intensity were obtained. Then, using irrigation planning, the amount of irrigation water was evaluated for the conditions of reducing water consumption in orchards. The best conditions for each crop were selected based on the results obtained and compared with the current conditions. According to the results, in most garden products, it is necessary to reduce water consumption compared to the current situation. The largest decrease was observed in peach, apple, nectarine and grape crops. The difference between water consumption for these products in the current and optimal conditions was 0.7, 6.4, 6.3 and 5.7 million cubic meters, respectively. The lowest difference between water consumption in the current and optimal conditions was determined in pomegranate and pistachio products with a difference of 0.12 and 0.35 million cubic meters. The average of virtual water consumed by horticultural products in Alborz province in the current situation is 0.0133 million cubic meters, which in the optimal case decreased to 0.0109 million cubic meters. Therefore, with the reduction of water consumption in orchards, the intensity of water consumption decreases from 0.33 to 0.26. This will save 19% of the province's water resources.