There is no mistaking the critical role water plays throughout the world — it is essential to life on Earth.
Texas A&M AgriLife is celebrating the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations’ World Food Day, celebrated on Oct. 16, by recognizing the strides made within its agencies to develop sustainable farming methods that optimize water usage while ensuring food security.
Now more than ever, people rely on innovative pursuits to protect water usage while also managing to feed a growing population. This is a worldwide issue challenging everyone to do more with less, making wise water use a global priority.
By developing droughtresistant crop varieties, promoting efficient irrigation techniques, and studying water-saving technologies, experts with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service contribute directly to the goal of ensuring that water is used wisely in food production.
Research and innovation in water conservation Through innovation and research, Texas A&M AgriLife contributes to the global conversation on water and food security and helps implement strategies that leave no one behind in the quest for a more waterefficient and food-secure world. To protect our water, experts in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology have explored a novel biological approach for removing microplastics from water, addressing a growing concern due to their potential harm to the environment.
Microplastics, tiny particles resulting from plastic product development and the breakdown of larger plastics, pose risks due to their ability to infiltrate plant cell walls and transport over long distances. Sewage and wastewater treatment plants are unable to filter out submicrometer microplastics effectively, presenting a waste management challenge.
The research offers promising insights into addressing the issue of microplastic pollution in water bodies, potentially aiding in upgrading wastewater treatment plants and reducing plastic pollution in natural water systems.
The free WaterMyYard app provides precise guidance on when and how much to water lawns based on localized weather conditions. The app, originally designed for North Texas homeowners in 2013, has since expanded to serve other regions in the state.
Actions taken due to the app are estimated to save 2.7 billion gallons of water annually, resulting in substantial cost savings for users. Both Houston Public Works and Corpus Christi Water have joined the program, extending its availability to nearly 1 million water users. WaterMyYard relies on a network of specially equipped urban weather stations to calculate local evapotranspiration rates, providing precise recommendations for irrigation. The app considers local watering restrictions, making it particularly useful in areas under such limitations. By offering this innovative tool, AgriLife Extension contributes to water conservation efforts and promotes sustainable landscaping practices.
Ten multidisciplinary water research projects in Texas have been awarded a total of $2.39 million in Water Seed Grants, supported by state appropriations and administered by the Texas Water Resources Institute.
The teams behind these initiatives, comprised of experts from various Texas A&M University System agencies, are working to address critical water challenges by way of pioneering solutions that not only protect water but also make Texas more resilient in the face of water-related challenges. These grants represent a significant step toward securing the future of water in Texas.