Measuring the water footprint of rain-fed soybean in Southern Amazonia

As the new “bread basket” of the world, Southern Amazonia has seen its agriculture expand rapidly in the previous decade. Soybean production benefits from seasonal precipitation prior to being exported to Europe and China, mainly for feed in the animal supply chain. Such a trade has been illustrated as a “virtual” water trade due to the amount of Brazilian water resources needed to grow the crop, with Brazil emerging as a key exporter through its commodities trade This research will make direct field measurements of the “water footprint” of rain-fed soybean, or the amount of water resources required to grow the crop over its entire development cycle, using full water and radiation balances above and below the crop canopy. Results will provide key parameters regarding the water use efficiency of soybean in the region and enlighten supply chains on the amount of water virtually exports globally.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Johnson

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program:

Globalink Research Award