Showing 150 results for Irrigation
K. Majd Salimi, S. M Mir Latif,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
In tea plantation regions of northern part of the country, application of supplemental irrigation during dry periods (lacking rainfalls) in conjuction with proper nitrogen fertilizer application can significantly improve tea yield per unit of plantation area. In order to quantify the effectiveness of proper irrigation and nitrogen management on tea, the response of tea to various levels of irrigation and nitrogen applications was studied in Fouman suburb of Guilan province. Tea crop production function and its crop coefficient (KC) were determined. A line source sprinkler irrigation was used for creatiating a variable irrigation application and a split-split-plot statistical design was used. Irrigation treatments consisted of full irrigation (I4), deficit irrigation (I3, I2 and I1) and no irrigation(I0). Nitrogen application treatments were N1, N2 and N3 (100, 180 and 360 kg/ha) in three replications randomly arranged as main plots, while irrigation treatments as sub plots were not randomized. During the growing period, soil moisture up to the depth of 90 cm was determined gravimetrically and actual crop water use was calculated from mass balance equation weekly. Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) was estimated by Penman-Montieth equation and was used to estimate tea crop coefficient. During growing period, the actual tea water use of I4 and I0 were computed to be 457 and 256 mm. Tea crop coefficient during dry period (June, July and Augest) ranged from 0.8 to 0.9. Crop resistance factor (Ky) for tea was found to be 1.37. Results indicated that optimum rate of nitrogen (180 kg/ha) along with supplemental irrigation, increased yield and water use efficiency (WUE). Futhermore, supplemental irrigation increased yield and WUE more than nitrogen application. In I0 and I1 treatments, application of 100 kg/ha nitrogen resulted the highest yield and WUE.
M. K. Shaabani, T. Honar, M. Zibaei,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
Limitations of rainfall and surface water resources farmers have to use both surface and subsurface resources for growing different crops. In this study optimal management of irrigation water allocation and cropping pattern utilizing conjunctive use of surface and subsurface water resources is studied. Also the effect of reducing water consumption in different growth stages with different irrigation strategies for major crops (wheat, barely, corn, sugar beet, rice) in Fars province was studied. The results of the study showed that optimal cropping pattern for the first season would be mainly wheat and in the second season would be corn and rice. Also in this model different policies for decreasing water demand were studied. Since crop water requirement in the second season is higher than the first season, therefore restriction on including high water consuming crops in the second season would be the best choice in the cropping pattern.
J. Abbas Palangi, A. M. Akhond Ali,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
For an appropriate drip irrigation system design, a prediction of soil wetting pattern is needed for a given soil texture. The wetting pattern geometry is a key factor for emitter distance determination as well as crop type. The geometry of the wetting bulb is dependent on the parameters such as soil hydraulic properties, emitter discharge and the irrigation time. This study has been conducted in Albaji region in km 25 on the Ahvaz-Andimeshk road, in order to estimate the geometry of the wetting pattern under the point source trickle emitters in sandy soil with different discharge. The emitters were calibrated to provide 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 liter per hour discharges. The maximum wetted soil surface and depth was measured by digging the irrigated soil. Two models were developed to predict wetted soil surface diameter and depth under a point source based on Buckingham's π theorem. The equations were calibrated by using the measured data. Then resulted scientific-empirical equations have been evaluated. Considering the maximum relative error of 14.3% and root mean square error of 3.8cm in estimation of the wetted soil surface diameter and depth, the models are recommended to estimate the geometry of the wetting bulbs with a high degree of accuracy, and can be used in designing and appropriate drip irrigation system management
J. Torkmani, Sh. Shajari,
Volume 12, Issue 44 (7-2008)
Abstract
The main objective of this paper is to study the differential impacts of various irrigation water pricing policies. The methodology used is based upon Multi-Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT) mathematical programming models and also simulation. Two kinds of data needed to feed the models were obtained from official records and surveying. The analysis of water pricing policy indicates that the most important relative savings take place in the more conservative farmers due to their risk-aversion behavior. Also it can be seen that in the elastic segments of the demand curves the increase in the price of water encourages great saving in consumption due to changes in mixed crops, crops production by deficit irrigation methods and production of rain-fed crops. Results clearly demonstrate that each homogenous group of farmers displays different behavior patterns related to this natural resource. Therefore, this shows the usefulness of differential analysis in evaluating the impact of water pricing policy.
A Karimi, M Noshadi, M Ahmadzadeh,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
In this research the effect of Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP) on the crop growth, wilting point, sunflower survival, water holding capacity, and irrigation interval was investigated. The experiment was conducted with different concentrations of absorbent hydrogel (Igeta): 0% (control treatment), 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w). The soil textures were sand, loam, and clay. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replications. The results of this research are: 1- Adding of Igeta to the soil changed solid, liquid, and gas phases. Application of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% (w/w) of Igeta increased the volume of clay, loam and sand soils between 10-40% , 5-32% and 9-37%, respectively. 2- With application of Igeta, absorption of nutrients (N, P, and K) was increased. Maximum absorption nutrients occurred at the level of 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.3% with confidence level of 90% for clay, loam, and sandy soils, respectively. 3- Igeta increased water holding capacity and irrigation intervals. Increasing in irrigation interval was between 30-130% in clay, 60-120% in loam, and 150-300% in sandy soils. Water saving in clay, loam, and sandy soils was 30%, 40%, and 70%, respectively. 4- at the level of 0.3% Igeta, starting time of temporary wilting point was delayed from 4 to 10 days (150%) in clay and loam soils, and from 4 to 12 days (200%) in sandy soil. The starting time of permanent wilting point was delayed from 8 to 12 days (50%) in clay, 7 to 12 days (71.4%) in loam, and 9 to 14 (55.5%) days in sandy soils. Therefore, application of Igeta delayed starting time of permanent wilting point between 50-71% and temporary wilting point between 150-200%.
A Masjedi, A Shokohfar, M Alavi Fazel,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
The increasing cultivation of corn in Ahwaz and the direct relation between the increase of the summer corn yield and its perfect irrigation in sowing period all together have made the research regarding this crop necessary. Deciding over the suitable irrigation scheduling of corn (hybrid SC.704) in summer by utilization of class A evaporation pan is the focal point of this research. Accordingly, a project was conducted in the form of stadistical perfect accidendal block in four repetitions and four treatments in 1383 on Ahwaz Azad university research land situated in Choneibeh. The irrigation treatment had four levels of T1,T2,T3 and T4 in class A evaporation pan containing of four levels of 50,75,100 and 150 mm, carried out in split plot. The suitable irrigation period was chosen according to the best treatment performance and its components, and the total amount of water in the taking period defines the depth of irrigation. The soil texture is clay lomy silty and the internal soil is silty clay. According to the amount of the accumulated evaporation from class A evaporation pan and taking the plant coefficient (Kc) into consideration, the amount of needed evapotrans piration was calculated and the amount of needed water for plot was measured by water counter. Then a comparison between the means by the use of Donken multi domains test was made and in this way the superior treatment was selected. Accordingly, the most suitable time for irrigation of summer corn in Ahwaz was after 50 mm of accumulated evaporation from class A evaporation pan which equals ten irrigation in the growing period. So in order to acquire 12 tons of seed yield in each hectare, at least 9600 m^3 of water for every hectar is needed. However, given the equal amount of water, with 3 times decrease in irrigation in treatment T2 in comparison with T1, a performance near 11 tons and with five times decrease in irrigation and ten tons in treatment T3 a performance near 10 tons can be attained.
Z Amiri, J Asghari, Kh Penahi Kord Aghari,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
In order to determine the potato cultivars responses to irrigation regimes and fertilizer combinations, an experiment was conducted on Fereidan Research Farm, Isfahan Province in 2003. The trial was designed as split-split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The cultivars (Arinda and Navita) were planted as main plots, and irrigated after 70, 140, 210 mm water evaporation from standard A pan surface that provided optimal watering, mild drought, and severe drought, respectively, as sub plots. Fertilizer combinations including of NPK + Zn, NPK+ Mn, NPK +Zn + Mn and NPK+ Manure were used as sub-sub plots. Results showed that the cultivar Arinda produced higher yield, mean tuber weight and total tuber number. By decreasing the amount of irrigation, the total yield and mean tuber weight were decreased. The highest amount of seed tubers (35-55 mm diameter) and marketable tuber sizes (diameter>35mm) and lowest amount of small size tuber numbers (diameter <35) were obtained in moderate drought. The use of NPK + Zn + Mn and NPK+ Manure produced the highest yield and mean tuber weight. Planting the cultivar Arinda with efficient irrigation is suggested in Isfahan province. Moderate drought is recommended for production of higher amount of seedy tubers. A combination of manure, Mn and Zn fertilizers are also suggested for potato farms of this district.
N Pourghasemin, M Zahedi,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (4-2009)
Abstract
This experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station of Isfahan University of Technolgy in 2006 to evaluate the effects of planting pattern and the level of soil moisture on two safflower cultivars. A factorial split plot arrangement was used in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Two planting patternS (flat and bed planting) and two levels of soil moisture (irrigation after 80 and 100 mm cumulative evaporation from Class A pan) were considered as the main factor and two safflower cultivars (IL 111 and Kosseh) as minor factor. Each plot in flat planting consistedof six rows, spaced 25 cm apart with plants 8 cm apart and in bed planting consisted of four rows, spaced 45cm apart with plants 5 cm apart. The duration from planting to button formation, 50% flowering, and 100% flowering stage were significantly shorter in 45cm bed planting than in 25cm flat planting. The duration from planting to all growth stages was less in IL 111, compared to Kosseh cultivar. The level of soil moisture did not affect the duration of any growth stages. Plant height, leaf area index, plant dry matter, number of buttons per plant, number of grains per button, grain weight, and harvest index were higher in flat planting, compared to bed planting. Plant height, plant dry matter, number of buttons per plant, number of grains per button, grain weight, and harvest index were reduced as the level of soil moisture was decreased. Leaf area index and plant dry matter were not significantly affected by the level of soil moisture at 50% flowering stage. Regardless of the level of soil moisture and cultivar, the grain yield was 36% more in flat planting than bed planting. The grain yield was more at higher level of soil moisture and also in Kosseh than in IL 111. The oil percentage and oil yield was higher in flat planting, compared to bed planting and also in Kosseh than in IL 111. The oil percentage was not significantly affected by the level of soil moisture. However, the oil yield was decreased as the level of soil moisture was reduced. The highest amount (1168 kg/ ha) of oil yield was obtained from Kosseh in flat planting and the lowest amount (417 kg/ ha) was achieved from IL 111 in bed planting. The results from this experiment show that to obtain the optimum yield from summer planting in areas with similar conditions to that of this study the 25cm flat planting compared to the 45cm bed planting, and Kosseh compared to IL 111 cultivar seems to be superior.
M Katozi, F Rahimzadeh Khouee, H Sabori,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (4-2009)
Abstract
In order to study the relationship between grain filling rate, duration and leaf relative water content (RWC) and yield, an experiment was conducted at Rice Research Institute of Iran, as a randomized block design in Split Plot with 3 replications, in 2006. 5 irrigation levels as main factor (Continuously flooded, days after water banishment, 5, 8 and 11 day intervals immediately after 10 days of transplanting) and sub main factor were used with 3 rice cultivars, Bahar (hybrid), Dorfak (improved) and Ali kazemi (traditional).Bahar cultivar showed the highest (6710 km/h) yield in continuous conditions. And no significant difference was observed between continuous irrigation conditions and 5 day interval irrigation. In continuous irrigation condition (except 1 day after flowering), Dorfak cultivar in all sampling had the highest grain weight in grain filling duration, but in days after water banishment Bahar had the highest grain weight(2/41). Grain filling rate in Dorfak in all treatments was higher than Bahar, and in Ali kazemi in all treatment s it was higher than the other cultivars. In all sampling dates (8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29 and 30day after heading), leaf relative water content of Ali kazemi was significantly less than Bahar and Dorfak. Dorfak produced the highest leaf relative water content. Results of the grain filling rate showed that Bahar with the longest grain filling duration and highest yield (6710 km/h) is more adaptable than Dorfak and Ali kazemi for different irrigation management conditions.
A Shaabani, A Kamgar Haghighi, A Spaskhah, Y Emami, T Honar,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (10-2009)
Abstract
Oil seed rape (Brasica napus) is an important crop, which is cultivated in Iran for oil production. As a management practice deficit irrigation strategy is applied to cope with water shortages, especially during drought periods. This research was conducted to study the effect of water stress on physiological parameter of oil seed rape in the experimental research field of Collage of Agriculture (of shiraz university) during 2004- 2005 and 2005- 2006. Licord cultivar of oil seed rape was planted and experimental design was random block with five treatments and four replications. Treatments were full irrigation in all growth stages, water stress in vegetative stage in early spring, water stress in flowering and podding stages, water stress in grain filling stage and dry land treatment with supplemental irrigation in time of planting. Water stress caused decrease in water potential of plant, an increase in canopy temperature, and decrease in plant height especially in dry land treatment. Leaf area index decreased as water stress increased. The decrease in leaf area index was more severe in vegetative stage water stress treatment. At the end of water stress period leaf area index increased again. Rate of decrease in leaf area index at the end of the growing season was higher in grain filling stage of water stress treatment.
A Sheinidashtegol, H.a Kashkouli, A.a Naseri, S Boromandnasab,
Volume 13, Issue 49 (10-2009)
Abstract
Sugarcane has been cultivated in an extensive area in Khuzestan and irrigated by hydro-flume or siphon and furrow. In a field experiment during 2005-6 at Amir Kabir Agro-Industry, Khuzestan, the effect of every other-furrow irrigation method was studied on sugarcane in regard to irrigation water volume, water use efficiency and quality and quantity of sugarcane. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three irrigation treatments, including conventional method (blank), variable every other furrow(alternative furrow) and fixed every other furrow. This experiment was conducted by cv. Cp69-1062 sugarcane. The results showed that water use efficiency rates were 0.41, 0.58 and 0.7 kg/m3 for conventional, fixing furrow and alternative, respectively. However, water use efficiency rates were not significantly different in treatments. It had minimum amount of water use efficiency in every other furrow treatments. Maximum water use efficiency, quality and quantity of sugarcane were obtained every other irrigation. Maximum irrigation water was used in conventional treatment and resulted in minimum irrigation, quality sugarcane and water use efficiency. It produced 14.5 ton/ha sugar for 20604 m3/ha application of irrigation. Sugarcane quality and quantity characteristics in variable treatments, except for length number per hectare, were not significant.
M. Karimi Kakhaki , A. Sepehri,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (1-2010)
Abstract
In order to study the effect of deficit irrigation at reproductive growth stages on water use efficiency and drought tolerance of four sunflower cultivars, including Azargol, Allstar, Alison and Euroflor, an experiment was conducted during 2007 growing season at experimental field of Agricultural Faculty of Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran. The experiment was a split plot based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The irrigation levels included full irrigation, deficit irrigation at heading, deficit irrigation at flowering, deficit irrigation at seed filling, deficit irrigation at heading and seed filling and deficit irrigation at flowering and seed filling stages. The biological and economic yield (BY and EY), harvest index (HI), water used, water use efficiency (WUE) and water stress indexes were measured. The results indicated that the highest BY (11681.7 kg.ha-1), EY (4854.0 kg.ha-1) and HI (42%) were obtained from full irrigation treatment. The lowest negative effects in cultivars belonged to deficit irrigation at seed filling stage. Euroflor obtained the highest of these parameters with 10127.1 Kg.ha-1, 4081.5 Kg.ha-1 and 40% respectively. Highest WUE was related to twice cutoff of irrigation in flowering and seed formation stages and then without irrigation in seed formation stage by 1.09 and 0.96 Kg.m-3. Allstar and then Euroflor had highest WUE among sunflower cultivars by 1.01 and 0.94 Kg.m-3 respectively. Results also indicated that Euroflor was a tolerant cultivar and STI (Stress Tolerant Index) and GMP (Geometric Mean Productivity) were acceptable indexes for selection. Finally, deficit irrigation at seed formation stage had the lowest negative effect on yield and HI with suitable WUE. In addition, Euroflor showed the highest yield, drought tolerance and HI with suitable WUE.
M Navabian , A Liaghat ,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (4-2010)
Abstract
Environment pollution is an important problem in the world. In agriculture irrigation, drainage and fertilization activities cause water resource and environmental pollution by effecting on solute, nutrient and sediment transport. Combined methods of water and nutrient management could consider in pollution transport controlling that reducing runoff and deep percolation, providing opportunity for solute infiltration, reducing sediment transport even economic and easy usage. In this research, affect of two different management in irrigation (cutback and continues) and fertilization (solid and fertigation) on nutrient loss was evaluated. Comparing nitrate, phosphor and potassium loss in different management explicate cutback flow with no uniform solid distribution of fertilizer is more useful to prevent nutrient loss. Because of similar results, increasing in fertilizer distribution in furrow length and easy usage between nitrate losses in six managements, show cutback flow with three proceeding solid, fertigation and fertigation (with 1/4, 1/2 and 1/4 ratio) fertilization was recommended replacement of cutback flow with three proceeding solid fertilization.
H.a Alizadeh , F Abbasi , A Liaghat ,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (4-2010)
Abstract
The application of N fertilizers with surface irrigation stream (surface N fertigation( is a key approach for fertilizer management. The main objective of this study was to investigate furrow fertigation management effects on distribution uniformity and runoff losses of nitrate in field scale. A field corn experiment was carried out with a complete randomized block design having 12 experiments. The field experiments were carried out in free draining furrows having 165 m length and 0.006 m/m slope in Karaj. Required urea fertilizer was applied in four stages: before planting, in seven leaves stage, shooting stage and earring stage. The first stage was accomplished by traditional method and other stages were applied with irrigation water (fertigation). Fertigation timing was respectively 60, 35, and 20 min in the three fertigation stages. Results showed that distribution uniformity of water and fertilizer of low half (DULH) provided high values for all experiments. DULH ranged between 88.0 to 99.0% and 89.7 to 96.0%, respectively for water and fertilizer. Also, distribution uniformity of low quarter (DULQ) ranged between 86.0 to 98.2% and 85.7 to 91.5%, respectively for water and fertilizer. Nitrate losses through surface runoff ranged between 5.7 to 42.0%. Duncan test results for comparison between different experiments showed that there was significant difference (p=0.95) between fertilizer losses at the level of fertilizer injection time of 60 and 35 minutes, but there was no significant difference between levels of 35 and 20 minutes.
M Sarai Tabrizi, H Babazadeh, M Parsinejad, S.a.m Modares Sanavi,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (7-2010)
Abstract
Deficit irrigation is one of the irrigation management methods that is used to increase Water Use Efficiency. Considering the internal plant adaptability characteristic to water shortage, Partial Root Drying method has been introduced in recent years. In this field research improvement of Water Use Efficiency for Soybean was determined. This experiment which was conducted at four furrow irrigation treatments at the Research Field of Tehran University in Karaj in 2008, consists of full irrigation (100% soil moisture deficit compensation), conventional deficit irrigation at 50 and 75 percent soil moisture deficit compensation and Partial Root Drying at 50 percent soil moisture deficit compensation with three replications. The amounts of irrigation used were exactly compensation level (negligible loss). Results indicated that Water Use Efficiency according to Duncan's Multiple Range Test at the five percent level of probability there was a significant difference between partial root drying treatment (PRD50%) and conventional deficit irrigation treatment at fifty percent soil moisture deficit compensation (DI50%),. Water Use Efficiency in PRD50% compared with DI50%, DI75% and full irrigation increased by 48.3%, 61.9% and 70.1% respectively.
Shahinrokhsar , Shokri , Asadi, Davari, Peyvast,
Volume 14, Issue 53 (10-2010)
Abstract
Nowadays in the world, soilless culture as a kind of technique is known to give vegetable crops higher yield and quality. This experiment was conducted at research greenhouse of Agriculture and Natural Research Center of Golestan province in spring 2005. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of irrigation frequency and substrates on yield and fruit quality of greenhouse tomato (CV. Hamra). Irrigation was carried out for 4, 8 and 12 times a day. The substrates were Perlite, Leca and Perlite + Leca (1:1, w/w). The experimental design was factorial in the form of randomized complete design with four replicates. The substrates used in the experiment had no effect on most factors. However, TA (0.43 mg/100 l) and fruit set (48%) were increased significantly by perlite and Leca substrates, respectively. The results indicated that higher and lower marketable yields were obtained from plants irrigated 12 (1830.5 g/plant) and four times (1156.7 g/plant) per day, respectively. Also increasing irrigation schedule decreased the Titratable acidity but didn't significantly affect the other factors. According to these results, Irrigation of 12 times per day and Leca substrate increased vitamin C and marketable yields, leading to optimum quality and quantity fruit set and the decreased TA (0.33 mg/100 l) in fruits in this treatment.
F. Fathi, M. Zibaei ,
Volume 14, Issue 53 (10-2010)
Abstract
Overexploitation of groundwater resource may result in lowering groundwater table at a faster rate due to an imbalance in the total recharge and total withdrawal. In order to make a balance between groundwater exploitation and recharge, the major remedial measures suggested are to strengthen groundwater management, adopt water demand policies, raise water use efficiency, and to increase water supply. Because there is a trade off between farmers’ income and sustainability of groundwater based farming, it is essential that a mathematical model be used to study the effects of withdrawal on farmers' income and sustainability of farm. Such a model can determine optimal crop pattern, suitable irrigation strategies and irrigation methods at different levels of available irrigation water. The relationship between farmers’ income and the withdrawal was then examined using multi-objective programming. The data were obtained from a systematic random sampling method through which 112 farmers were chosen. The percentage decrease in the profit was less than that of the withdrawal for all representative farmers, based on the results obtained from multi-objective method. For example, 8% reduction of groundwater pumping could be imposed without a serious impact on the farmers' income (farmers' income falls about 4%). Finally, the results of this study can help farmers to choose crop patterns, irrigation strategies and irrigation methods in such a way that both farmers’ income and withdrawal are simultaneously optimized and lead to a decrease in extracting groundwater compared to the current status.
M. H.nazarifar, R. Momeni,
Volume 15, Issue 56 (7-2011)
Abstract
Deficit irrigation is one of the strategies used to obtain products with maximum profits in recent years. In this context, research on determining appropriate levels of deficit irrigation is essential. Since determining the different levels of performance through field experiments is difficult, the use of simulation models is a strategy through which we can examine the water balance data, simulate the growth process, and to study different managerial scenarios. The purpose of this study was validation and evaluation of CropSyst, a plant growth model, to determine suitable cropping patterns in deficit irrigation conditions. Applying three deficit irrigation scenarios in model, with values of 10%, 20% and 30% on six crops, fava bean, bean, wheat, potato, sunflower and rice, we concluded that the applied deficit irrigation of 10% to bean, potato and beans, 20% to sunflower and 30% to wheat had been suitable, and it is better not to apply deficit irrigation in rice. Also, since in final selection, the rate of water productivity is one of the basic criteria in each crop mentioned above, determining net benefit based on drop index (NBPD) per cubic meter showed that the most NBPD is related to bean with 6853 Rials per cubic meters and the lowest amount is related to sunflower with a value equal to 2809 Rials per cubic meters.
A. Haghverdi, B. Ghahraman, M. Kafi, K. Davari ,
Volume 15, Issue 58 (3-2012)
Abstract
The objective of current study was to perform screening experiment, (phase zero of response surface methodology) the analysis of salinity and water tensions for spring wheat in Mashhad region and derive water production functions. The experiment was performed in the Research Field of Agricultural Faculty of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2009-2010. Two water sources were selected: saline water (10 dS/m) and water without salinity limitation (0.5 dS/m). A single replicate factorial experiment with four variables and water requirements in different growth stages, was done with each variable having two levels, 20% and 100% of water requirements. The central points of experiment area with two replications were added for estimating the curvature in the fitted response surface. The results showed the water requirements in heading and flowering were the most important variables. The fitted water production functions estimated the yield of saline and non saline plots with correlation coefficients equalsing 0.95 and 0.99. In general, the obtained results proved the efficiency of the screening experiment in identifying the relative importance of variables and excluding the ineffective variables
S. H. Sadeghi, M. Gheysari, M. Kavyani,
Volume 16, Issue 59 (4-2012)
Abstract
To maintain a high system-uniformity and also acceptable water use efficiency in a solid-set sprinkler irrigation system, the total committed pressure variation to subunits should not exceed 20% of the pressure head of the sprinkler which operates with the average pressure. Although some references often recommend giving the major part of this pressure variation to laterals, a scientific and precise criterion that allows designers to minimize the costs has not yet been developed. In this study, regarding the usual design criteria of this system in Iran and also respecting hydraulic rules, an economical analysis was conducted in order to optimize the system based on the appropriated permitted pressure head loss to each subunit. Then, the system irrigates the possible largest area by using minimum weight of pipe. The methodology consisted of 13 slope treatments for each subunit (0, ±0.1, ±0.5, ±1, ±2.5, ±5 and ±10%) and also the ratio of appropriated allowable head loss to the manifold (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 and 17.5%). A simple software was developed to determine the size and the length of the manifold and laterals for each combination as well as their total weight and total irrigated area. Several criteria such as maximum and minimum velocity of water in the pipe, maximum head loss which occurs in 100 m of the manifold, maximum permitted head loss for each subunit and also maximum length of the laterals were considered here in order to derive practical design combinations. Because a constant inlet pressure for each subunit leads to a constant cost of energy, then the ratio of total weight of pipelines to the total irrigated area (Wtot /A0) was chosen as the standard, which helps to distinguish the best appropriation of allowable head loss to the manifold or laterals. Graphical diagrams were presented to help designers to know how to distribute the total permitted head loss between manifold and laterals. In general, results showed that total pressure head variation of each subunit greatly affects the system costs and also the total optimized appropriated pressure head loss to each subunit is greatly dependent on its own slope.