Water Use Efficiency

\[WUE=\frac{Y}{ET_c}\]

Variables

WUEwater use efficiency (kg/m³)

Ycrop yield (kg/ha)

ETccrop evapotranspiration or water consumed (m³/ha)

Description

What is this formula?

Water Use Efficiency calculates how much crop yield is produced per unit of water consumed by the crop.

When to use it

Use this formula to evaluate irrigation performance, compare crops, assess water productivity, and improve agricultural water management.

Example

Given:

Y = 8000 kg/ha

ETc = 5000 m³/ha

Formula:

WUE = Y / ETc

Substitution:

WUE = 8000 / 5000

WUE = 1.6 kg/m³

Result:

The water use efficiency is 1.6 kg of crop yield per cubic meter of water consumed.

Applications

- Irrigation performance evaluation

- Crop water productivity analysis

- Agricultural water management

- Drought response planning

- Comparison of irrigation strategies

Note

Water Use Efficiency is an index, not a universal biological constant. Its value depends on crop type, climate, soil conditions, irrigation management, yield measurement method, and whether water input is represented by ETc, irrigation water applied, rainfall, or total water supply.