El comportamiento de los cultivos en ambientes marginales limitados por sequia, puede ser evaluado por su eficiencia en el uso del agua (EUA), que relaciona el rendimiento con la evapotranspiracion. El presente estudio se realizo con el objetivo de evaluar la EUA de cinco cultivos forrajeros (SorgoXsudan, maiz Cafime, maiz VS-208, cebada Cerro Prieto y avena Chihuahua) en Villa de Arriaga, S.L.P. en un suelo de textura migajon arcillo limoso; pH 6.4; densidad aparente: 1.42 g/cm3; PMP: 6.1%; CC: 15.2% y CE: 0.61 mmhos/cm. Se realizo quincenalmente un muestreo al azar a dos profundidades de suelo (0-20 y 20-40 cm) y tres repeticiones por cultivo para estimar el contenido de humedad (metodo gravimetrico). Con esta informacion y la precipitacion efectiva se realizo un balance de humedad para estimar el uso consuntivo o evapotranspiracion (mm). La EUA se determino mediante la relacion: produccion de materia seca entre evapotranspiracion. La informacion de los ciclos Primavera-Verano 1994, 1996 y 1997 se analizo en forma anual bajo un diseno completamente al azar con cinco repeticiones y prueba de medias (Tukey 0.01). En 1994 se encontro diferencia estadistica en la EUA (p0.01); fue mayor en sorgo X sudan (1.38); los maices VS-208 y Cafime fueron estadisticamente similares con 1.26 y 0.86 g/kg en ese orden; los menos eficientes fueron avena (0.72) y cebada (0.67). En 1996 los cultivos no manifestaron diferencia estadistica (p

Thirteen types of reservoirs of water for human consumption were studied in arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico. Some of them like dams and conical wells are built using mostly local materials; others like windmills and pumping jacks demand more maintenance due to the technology used in their construction, and this could be a considerable disadvantage for their use. Some of these structures need some costly changes or improvements and this makes for an expensive maintenance. Nevertheless, it is absolutely true that all of them are very necessary in the Mexican semi-deserts. | Se estudiaron 13 fuentes de agua para consumo humano en zonas aridas y semiaridas de Mexico. Algunas como los "aljibes" y las "ollas de agua", se construyen con elementos naturales, principalmente; otras, como los "papalotes" y las "bombas reciprocantes o guimbaletes", requieren de mayor mantenimiento debido a la tecnologia usada en ellos, lo cual puede representar una gran desventaja para su empleo. Algunas de estas estructuras necesitan cambios o mejoras que representan un alto costo y por lo tanto es dificil su mantenimiento. Sin embargo, una cosa es cierta, todas son estrictamente necesarias en los semidesiertos mexicanos.

Interest in both environmental impact and potential beneficial uses of produced water (PW) has increased with growth in unconventional oil and gas production, especially in semi-arid regions, e.g. the Permian Basin, the most productive tight-oil region in the USA. Characterization of PW compositional variability is needed to evaluate environmental impact, treatment, and reuse potential. Geochemical variability of PW from Guadalupian (Middle Permian) to Ordovician formations was statistically and geostatistically evaluated in the western half of the Permian Basin (Delaware Basin, Central Basin Platform, and Northwest Shelf) using the US Geological Survey’s Produced Waters Geochemical Database and the New Mexico Water and Infrastructure Data System. Mean total dissolved solids (TDS) of PW increased with depth in the Delaware Basin and Central Basin Platform to the Delaware and Wolfcamp formations (Guadalupian age). Mean TDS decreased with further increases in depth. In contrast, the mean salinity of PW was significantly higher within the shallow, younger formations (largest mean TDS in the Artesia Formation); TDS decreased with depth below Guadalupian age formations in the Northwest Shelf. Kriged contour maps of TDS and major ions illustrated spatial variability across the three geo-structural regions as a function of depth. The occurrence of meteoric waters in upper and deeper formations across the three regions was significant, and was attributed to Laramide Orogeny and Basin and Range extension uplifting and tilting effects and recent water flooding. These results quantify PW composition variability, and suggest that upon treatment, PW would support some uses such as onsite reuse and mining.