Evaluation of surface irrigation using gated pipes techniques in field crops and old horticultural farm.
Osman H. E.
Author Affiliation: Tech. Transfer Dept., Small Farms Mechanization Program, SFMP, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute, Agric. Res. Center, MOA, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
Annals of Agricultural Science (Cairo) 47 : 461-475
Abstract : Two field experiments were carried out in Egypt for two growing seasons (2000 and 2002) to investigate the response of field crops and old mango farm to the modified surface irrigation system with gated pipes comparing with traditional surface irrigation system, to determine the actual water requirements and economical efficiency, for some field crops such as cotton, wheat, maize and rice crops. The modified surface irrigation requires less initial investment, easily managed and suits the skills' need for in the cotton and wheat areas. Also, the design procedure for a gated pipe system that will provide desired flow condition was taken into consideration. Advantages of the gated pipe construction, operational aspects and investment cost of the system, are discussed. Results showed that using gated pipes, acquired the highest cotton, wheat, maize and rice yield, (61.1, 65.2, 116 and 53.6%, respectively) irrigation technique. Meanwhile, water saving was (29.64, 29.9, 14.5 and 19.7%) in cotton, wheat, maize and rice, respectively, compared with traditional (flooding) system. Water use efficiencies for an improved surface irrigated cotton, wheat, maize and rice were higher than traditional system, by 129, 137, 154.4 and 79.4%, respectively. The same results showed that using gated pipes obtained the highest mango yield by 37.2% technique. Also, water was saved by 19.8% in mango compared with traditional system. Water utilization efficiency by using improved surface irrigated mango with gated pipes, increased by 70.7%, compared with traditional system.