Technical and Hydraulic Evaluation of Trickle Irrigation Systems in Marand Orchards

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Water Engineering, University of Uromia

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Water Engineering, University of Uromia

Abstract

In all trickle irrigation systems, creating pressure is necessary to provide the crop water requirement. Pressure loss in the system affects the final cost, application efficiency, distribution uniformity, and work condition of the system. This research was conducted to evaluate the trickle irrigation systems in seven orchards in Marand, northwest of Iran. Since changing surface irrigation systems to pressurized irrigation systems is rapidly expanding in the studied region, the investigation of changed systems efficiency has an important role in water and soil manager's decisions working at  regional agricultural office i.e. Jahad-e-Keshavarzi office in Marand. In the present research, for systems evaluation, Meriam-Keller and random methods were selected. The random method was selected to decrease the time and cost of the evaluation.  In order to evaluate these systems, the quantitative values of water distribution uniformity, application efficiency of low quarter, actual application of low quarter, and factors affecting these parameters were calculated. The results showed that, for trickle irrigation systems, the average distribution uniformity and potential and actual application of low quarter were 95%, 80%, and 92%, respectively. Considering the obtained results, it was clear that the high efficiency and water distribution uniformity, low manufacturing variation coefficient of emitters, low discharge variation in compensating emitters, and no clogging of outlets were due to correct functioning of the system filtration, proper design and implementation, and high quality of the equipment. According to the results, variations of elevation affect the discharge and pressure variation. The results showed that hydraulic design of the systems was acceptable. The results were similar in the selected methods. The results of water quality analyses showed the possibility of calcium carbonate and sulfate deposition in the systems with time. Values of pH, hardness, and dissolved salts were not beyond standard limits and had no hazardous effects. The concentrations of Fe and Mg were less than that causing clogging. 

Keywords


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