- Reduced or zero tillage: Minimizes soil disturbance, which helps to retain soil moisture, reduce evaporation, and prevent soil erosion. - Applying gypsum before irrigating the field: Gypsum improves soil structure, especially in problematic soils (like saline or alkaline), leading to better water infiltration and drainage, and reduced surface runoff and waterlogging, thereby making water use more efficient. - Allowing crop residue to remain in the field: Crop residue acts as mulch, covering the soil surface. This reduces evaporation, helps moderate soil temperature, suppresses weeds, and improves soil organic matter over time, all of which enhance the soil's ability to absorb and retain water.