Agricultural irrigation consumes 42% of all freshwater withdrawals in the US. In parts of the US mid-west Corn Belt, where potential evapotranspiration significantly exceeds rainfall, crops are primarily irrigated. However, the thickness of the aquifers from which this water is pumped has been declining, raising concerns about future crop production in this region. To achieve stable water levels and extend the usable life of the aquifer, it is essential to reduce water pumping. This can be done by either decreasing the irrigated area or by reducing the amount of water applied to the existing irrigated area.  

Additionally, crop production is threatened by rising temperatures and heat stress, which are exacerbated by limited water availability. There is an urgent need to develop alternative strategies to address the challenge of increasing crop production while conserving fresh water. 

Crop and irrigation management can significantly improve water use efficiency and optimize overall irrigation. Strategies could include (i) implementing deficit irrigation management (when and how much to stress the crop based on a specific water allocation), (ii) develop data-driven decisions based on new technologies to monitor crop water use and soil moisture, (iii) combine genotypes with alternative management strategies that are more efficient under water stress, or (iv) incorporating crop sequences and cropping systems solutions.