Influence of Agroecological Practices on the Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Irrigated Vegetables: A Global Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT
Yield and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) are key indicators to evaluate water consumption in irrigated vegetable systems. This meta‐analysis assessed three agroecological practices (water, biotic and nutrient management) to increase yield and IWUE under water‐stressed (WS) and overwatering (OW) conditions. Response ratios were calculated for 871 yield and 814 IWUE observations from 84 peer‐reviewed publications using random‐effects models. Statistical analyses and graphics (forest plots) were performed using R 4.5.2. The yield was 15% lower, and the IWUE was 24% higher under WS than under full irrigation; however, the IWUE was 16% lower under OW. The highest yield and lowest IWUE occurred under severe OW for subsurface drip versus sprinkler and furrow systems. Under WS, the yield response was 6% lower for organic straw and 9% lower for plastic mulch than for unmulched soil (−18%), and the response was less negative under mixed organic–inorganic fertilisers than under sole sources. IWUE increased by 26% for manual weeding but decreased by 28% for herbicide use and increased by 60% for pesticides despite negative yield impacts. Under OW, bulb and root yields were improved under mixed fertilisation. Findings highlight the need to integrate agroecological practices to enhance yield and IWUE under synergistic management conditions.