Agrotechnology

Practical tools for improving the efficiency of surface irrigation systems

International Conference on Agri Biotech & Environmental Engineering

September 11-12, 2017 San Antonio, USA

Khaled M Bali

University of California, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

Surface or flood irrigation systems such as furrow, basin or border irrigation are the primary methods of irrigation for alfalfa and field crops in California. Surface irrigation uses the soil surface to flow water from the upper end of the field to the lower end. The majority of water losses through these systems are either by surface runoff or deep percolation or a combination of both. Improvements in surface irrigation efficiency can be achieved by minimizing water losses associated with surface irrigation systems. Various practices could be used to improve irrigation efficiency. Determining the time of irrigation to reduce surface runoff and increase irrigation efficiency could be achieved by automating surface irrigation systems. Surface irrigation automation involves the use of wetting front advance sensors, flumes and electronic timing control gates to determine the irrigation cutoff time. Automation of surface irrigation systems increases irrigation efficiency and reduces the cost of labor and water. In addition to water conservation, reduced surface runoff and deep percolation reduce erosion, off-site movement of pesticides/phosphorous and nitrate leaching. In addition to automation, we discuss here some of the efficiency measures that are commonly used to evaluate surface irrigation systems and traditional and new methods for improving irrigation efficiency.