Strategies for reducing subsurface drainage in irrigated agriculture through improved irrigation

The traditional approach ofinstalling subsurface drainage systems tosolve shallow ground water problems is notfeasible along the west side of the SanJoaquin Valley of California because of thelack of drain water disposal methods thatare economical, technically feasible, andenvironmentally friendly. Thus, optionssuch as drainage reduction through improvedirrigation and drain water reuse are beingexamined as methods for coping with thesubsurface drainage problem. This paperdiscusses options for reducing subsurfacedrainage through improved irrigationpractices. Options are discussed forimproving irrigation system design such asupgrading existing irrigation methods andconverting to systems with higher potentialirrigation efficiencies. Methods forimproving water management are alsopresented. Case studies on upgradingexisting systems or converting to otherirrigation methods are presented along with study results of the effect of variouspolicies on reducing subsurface drainage.     

膜下滴灌暗管排水规律及土壤脱盐效果试验研究

为了探索膜下滴灌盐碱地在灌溉过程中暗管排水规律及土壤脱盐效率,设计了一种暗管排水模型试验装置系统来探究灌溉过程中暗管排水规律和排盐效果.试验通过控制灌水时间、灌水量、观测并记录暗管出水时间、排水流量、排水矿化度、土壤盐分剖面等指标,分析灌溉排水过程中暗管排水流速和排水矿化度特征以及各土层土壤脱盐效率.结果表明:经过3次灌水淋洗试验后,暗管排水流速最终趋于1.5~3.5 L/h稳定范围,排水矿化度稳定在20~40 g/L内;0~40 cm土层脱盐率高达85%,0~80 cm土层土壤脱盐率为80.5%,两暗管中间位置处脱盐率最小分别为57.96%,56.73%,69.29%,暗管上方脱盐率最大分别为71.73%,73.34%,84.26%,暗管排盐量占0~80 cm土层总盐分含量的28.9%,其余盐分被淋洗到了80 cm土层以下.     

Verification of drainage design criteria in the Nile Delta,Egypt

A monitoring programme to verify the design criteria of subsurface drainage systems was conducted in a pilot area in the Nile Delta in Egypt. The programme, which covered a 9-year period, included the monitoring of the cropping pattern, crop yield, soil salinity, watertable, discharge and salinity of the drainage water and overpressure in the subsurface drainage system. The results showed that the yield of all crops (wheat, berseem, maize, rice and cotton) increased significantly after the installation of the subsurface drainage system. Optimum growing conditions for the combination of crops that are cultivated in rotation in the area required that the watertable midway between the drains had a average depth of 0.80 m. A corresponding drain discharge of 0.4 mm/d was sufficient to cope with the prevailing percolation losses of irrigation water and to maintain favourable soil-salinity levels. The additional natural drainage rate in the area was estimated at 0.5 mm/d. The most effective way to attain these favourable drainage conditions is to install drains at a depth between 1.20 to 1.40 m. For drain-pipe capacity the Manning equation can be used with a design rate of 1.2 mm/d, for collector drains this rate should be increased to 1.8 mm/d to compensate for the higher discharge rates from rice fields. These rates should be used in combination with a roughness coefficient (n) of 0.028 to take sedimentation and irregularities in the alignment into account. When this value of the roughness coefficient is used, no additional safety has to be incorporated in the other design factors (e.g. the design rate).     

暗管排水条件下微咸水灌溉对土壤盐分动态及夏玉米生长的影响

进行暗管排水条件下微咸水灌溉田间试验,设置3种暗管埋深,分别为80 cm(D1)、120 cm(D2)以及无暗管排水(D0),3种微咸水浓度,其电导率分别为0.78 dS/m(S1),3.75 dS/m(S2)和6.25 dS/m(S3),共9个处理,每个处理3组重复.试验结果表明:暗管排水措施可以有效排除微咸水灌溉过程中土壤中累积的盐分;在玉米全生育期内,暗管埋深D1条件下,3种浓度微咸水S1,S2和S3灌溉时根系土壤电导率分别下降了39.00%,31.56%和29.43%,暗管埋深D2条件下,根系土壤电导率则分别下降了31.91%,18.08%和7.44%;夏玉米干物质累积量、穗棒累积量和穗棒质量分配率及最终产量均随着微咸水浓度的升高而降低;在相同微咸水浓度下,不同暗管埋设条件下的夏玉米最终产量从大到小依次为D1,D2,D0;3种暗管埋设条件下的作物需水量从大到小依次为D0,D2,D1的规律;暗管埋深80 cm的处理(D1)下夏玉米水分利用效率最高,而未埋设暗管的处理(D0)水分利用效率最低;当暗管埋设条件一定时,夏玉米水分利用效率随微咸水浓度的升高呈逐渐降低的趋势.     

Methodologies for assessing performance of irrigation and drainage management

This paper presents a framework irrigation managers can use in assessing performance of irrigation, and recommends a specific set of indicators for measuring performance that the authors believe are practical, useful, and generally applicable. Although the primary focus is on the management of canal systems for agricultural production, the paper also discusses indicators that can be used for assessing longer term performance, including physical, economic and social sustainability. Finally, the paper highlights the crucial importance of strategic, as well as operational management performance, and the necessity of having an incentive system that encourages managers to improve performance.     

不同降水年型地下滴灌追氮对玉米产量的影响

采用完全组合设计,在长期试验基础上探讨了枯、丰2种降水年型滴灌追氮对玉米产量的影响.结果表明:丰水年整体产量高于枯水年,高水高氮和高水低氮处理在丰、枯水年间产量差异不具有统计学意义.枯水年滴灌对产量影响具有统计学意义(P<0.01),水氮互作对产量影响具有统计学意义(P<0.05),追氮对产量影响不具有统计学意义.丰水年滴灌对产量影响具有统计学意义(P<0.05),追氮对产量影响具有统计学意义(P<0.01),水氮互作对产量影响不具有统计学意义.不同降水年型间产量随滴灌量的增大而增大,枯水年滴灌对产量的提高幅度大于丰水年;随追氮量的增加先增大后减小,丰水年增加追氮量对产量的影响均大于枯水年.通过分析,确定了不同降水年型适宜的水肥施用模式:播种期沟施复合肥(N∶P₂O₅∶K₂O=15∶15∶15)450 kg/hm²后,在枯水年滴灌48 mm、追氮120 kg/hm²,丰水年滴灌36 mm、追氮240 kg/hm².     

控制灌溉条件下增氧对超级稻根系生长及水分利用效率的影响

以超级稻“陵两优268”为试验材料,采用控制灌溉与增氧灌溉技术相结合,设置4组处理,分别为机械控制灌溉增氧(JX)、超微泡控制灌溉增氧(WP)、控制灌溉(CK)、淹水灌溉(YS),研究控制灌溉条件下增氧对水稻根系生长特征及水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:控制灌溉条件下增氧与淹水灌溉条件相比,有效节约用水最大达15.3%,有利于促进根系生长,增大了水稻的根部干物质质量,降低了水稻的茎叶干物质质量;提高了水稻根体积、根粗及干物质的质量,能显著增强水稻的根系活力,延缓水稻根系的衰老;产量上,控制灌溉增氧处理基本与淹灌处理接近,但结实率、千粒重、水分利用效率都优于淹灌处理.     

不同排水体对三七生长、土壤养分及根区土壤微生物的影响

为探究适宜三七种植的排水体,通过大田试验,设计了3种排水体处理:桉树皮(SP)、玉米秸秆(YM)、烟杆(YG),研究了排水体埋设深度为20 cm时,三七各生育期的生长、土壤微生物数量及养分含量状况.结果表明,与对照组CK相比,不同排水体处理下三七的生长指标、土壤速效养分含量及土壤微生物数量均显著增加;排水体对埋设深度附近的土壤具有一定的增肥保肥作用,灌后1 d和7 d在0~40 cm土层,土壤含水率按处理排序由大到小均表现为CK,YG,SP,YM;添加排水体对降低三七发病率作用更明显,与对照组CK相比,处理YM下三七发病率显著降低了34.67%;经综合比较,玉米秸秆作三七田排水体为试验条件下的最佳方案.     

Controlled water table management as a strategy for reducing salt loads from subsurface drainage under perennial agriculture in semi-arid Australia

Recent community based actions to ensure the sustainability of irrigation and protection of associated ecosystems in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) of Australia has seen the implementation of a regional Land and Water Management Plan. This aims to improve land and water management within the irrigation area and minimise downstream impacts associated with irrigation. One of the plan objectives is to decrease current salt loads generated from subsurface drainage in perennial horticulture within the area from 20 000 tonnes/year to 17 000 tonnes/year. In order to meet such objectives Controlled Water table Management (CWM) is being investigated as a possible ‘Best Management Practice’, to reduce drainage volumes and salt loads.During 2000–2002 a trial was conducted on a 15 ha subsurface drained vineyard. This compared a traditional unmanaged subsurface drainage system with a controlled drainage system utilizing weirs to maintain water tables and changes in irrigation scheduling to maximize the potential crop use of a shallow water table. Drainage volumes, salt loads and water table elevations throughout the field were monitored to investigate the effects of controlled drainage on drain flows and salt loads.Results from the experiment showed that controlled drainage significantly reduced drainage volumes and salt loads compared to unmanaged systems. However, there were marked increases in soil salinity which will need to be carefully monitored and managed.     

基于熵权TOPSIS模型评价不同施氮水平下水稻灌排模式

为了选取实现高效、节水、控污3个目标的水稻灌排模式,以农田水位为调控指标,在3个施氮水平下设置了不同的灌排模式,研究水稻在不同模式下的产量及其构成因素,利用基于熵权法的TOPSIS模型对这些灌排模式进行评价.结果表明:分蘖期旱涝交替胁迫对水稻的产量、控污指标的抑制作用最明显;乳熟期旱涝交替胁迫的处理对节水指标的负面影响最大.在旱涝交替胁迫下氮肥施用量低时,对水稻发育有较明显的抑制作用;高氮肥施用量处理的水稻产量并没有显著增长,高氮肥处理氮素的淋溶量比低氮肥处理高.利用TOPSIS模型得到施氮量300 kg/hm²下的控制灌排模式的相对贴合度为0.694 5.分蘖期旱涝交替不仅对于水稻的生长发育的不利影响最大,其控污效果也最差.通过模型计算,最优的灌排方案是施氮水平为300 kg/hm²的控制灌排模式.     

Asset management modelling framework for irrigation and drainage systems: Principles and case study application

Sustainability of irrigation and drainage infrastructure poses many challenges to many irrigation authorities worldwide due to a mismatch between the actual cost incurred in the provision of irrigation and drainage service and pricing of this service. This shortfall often leads to inadequate expenditure on maintenance in the absence of adequate subsidies from government or other sources.The asset management modelling framework (AMMF) presented in this paper enables the quantification of on-going ownership costs and operation costs. A life cycle cost (LCC) model for the evaluation of alternative irrigation and drainage asset management strategies is also presented. The AMMF is applied to the evaluation of asset ownership costs and LCC for alternative maintenance and interest rate scenarios in the Cu Chi irrigation system, Vietnam. The cost of three renewal strategies was evaluated: linear depreciation, full annuity and partial annuity. The cost ranges between US$ 28.00/ha and US$ 41.00/ha when interest rate varies between 9 and 3%. The average maintenance expenditure during recent years was estimated to be only US$ 1.30/ha which translates into 0.68% of the total asset replacement cost.The application of a simplified LCC model reveals that the least LCC varies with the level of maintenance and interest rate between US$ 353.5/ha for 5% maintenance expenditure and 12% interest rate to US$ 522.3/ha for 3% maintenance expenditure and 6% interest rate. The importance of exercising value judgements in applying the LCC model is also emphasised and discussed.     

灌水下限对甜瓜生长及水分利用效率的影响

为指导华北地区设施甜瓜节水高效生产,以日光温室甜瓜为试材,控制灌水下限分别为田间持水量的90%(T1),75%(T2)和60%(T3),研究了膜下滴灌条件下不同灌水下限对甜瓜生长指标、水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:相对较低的土壤含水量促进根系发育、分生,有利于甜瓜叶面积、茎粗的增加,但株高对灌水下限的响应不明显(P=0.1).75%田间持水量灌水下限有利于提高甜瓜产量和品质.甜瓜根系主要水平分布在以植株为中心20 cm的范围内,垂向主要分布于0~40 cm土层内.各处理的水分利用效率从大到小依次为T3,T1,T2.制订了甜瓜高效灌溉制度,各主要生育期作物系数分别为1.81,1.61,2.21,2.19.     

An improved water use efficiency of cereals under temporal and spatial deficit irrigation in north China

Water shortage is the major bottleneck that limits sustainable development of agriculture in north China. Crop physiological water-saving irrigation methods such as temporal (regulated deficit irrigation) and spatial (partial root zone irrigation) deficit irrigation have been tested with much improved crop water use efficiency (WUE) without significant yield reduction. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of (1) spatial deficit irrigation on spring maize in arid Inland River Basin of northwest China during 1997–2000; (2) temporal deficit irrigation on winter wheat in semi-arid Haihe River Basin during 2003–2007 and (3) temporal deficit irrigation on winter wheat and summer maize in Yellow River Basin during 2006–2007. Results showed that alternate furrow irrigation (AFI) maintained similar photosynthetic rate (P_n) but reduced transpiration rate (T_r), and thus increased leaf WUE of maize. It also showed that the improved WUE might only be gained for AFI under less water amount per irrigation. The feasible irrigation cycle is 7d in the extremely arid condition in Inner River Basin of northwest China and less water amount with more irrigation frequency is better for both grain yield and WUE in semi-arid Haihe River Basin of north China. Field experiment in Yellow River Basin of north China also suggests that mild water deficit at early seedling stage is beneficial for grain yield and WUE of summer maize, and the deficit timing and severity should be modulated according to the drought tolerance of different crop varieties. The economical evapotranspiration for winter wheat in Haihe River Basin, summer maize in Yellow River Basin of north China and spring maize in Inland River Basin of northwest China are 420.0 mm, 432.5 mm and 450.0 mm respectively. Our study in the three regions in recent decade also showed that AFI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method for wide-spaced cereals in arid region, but mild water deficit in earlier stage might be a practical irrigation strategy for close-planting cereals. Application of such temporal and spatial deficit irrigation in field-grown crops has greater potential in saving water, maintaining economic yield and improving WUE.     

Deficit irrigation based on drought tolerance and root signalling in potatoes and tomatoes

Agriculture is a big consumer of fresh water in competition with other sectors of the society. Within the EU-project SAFIR new water-saving irrigation strategies were developed based on pot, semi-field and field experiments with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.), fresh tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and processing tomatoes as model plants. From the pot and semi-field experiments an ABA production model was developed for potatoes to optimize the ABA signalling; this was obtained by modelling the optimal level of soil drying for ABA production before re-irrigation in a crop growth model. The field irrigation guidelines were developed under temperate (Denmark), Mediterranean (Greece, Italy) and continental (Serbia, China) climatic conditions during summer. The field investigations on processing tomatoes were undertaken only in the Po valley (North Italy) on fine, textured soil. The investigations from several studies showed that gradual soil drying imposed by deficit irrigation (DI) or partial root zone drying irrigation (PRD) induced hydraulic and chemical signals from the root system resulting in partial stomatal closure, an increase in photosynthetic water use efficiency, and a slight reduction in top vegetative growth. Further PRD increased N-mineralization significantly beyond that from DI, causing a stay-green effect late in the growing season. In field potato and tomato experiments the water-saving irrigation strategies DI and PRD were able to save about 20-30% of the water used in fully irrigated plants. PRD increased marketable yield in potatoes significantly by 15% due to improved tuber size distribution. PRD increased antioxidant content significantly by approximately 10% in both potatoes and fresh tomatoes. Under a high temperature regime, full irrigation (FI) should be undertaken, as was clear from field observations in tomatoes. For tomatoes full irrigation should be undertaken for cooling effects when the night/day average temperature >26.5 °C or when air temperature >40 °C to avoid flower-dropping. The temperature threshold for potatoes is not clear. From three-year field drip irrigation experiments we found that under the establishment phase, both potatoes and tomatoes should be fully irrigated; however, during the later phases deficit irrigation might be applied as outlined below without causing significant yield reduction:

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Potatoes

°

After the end of tuber initiation, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

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Fresh tomatoes

°

From the moment the 1st truce is developed, DI is applied at 85-80% of FI for two weeks. In the middle period, DI or PRD is applied at 70% of FI. During the last 14 days of the growth period, DI or PRD is applied at 50% of FI.

•

Processing tomatoes

°

From transplanting to fruit setting at 4th-5th cluster, the PRD and DI threshold for re-irrigation is when the plant-available soil water content (ASWC) equals 0.7 (soil water potential, Ψ_soil = −90 kPa). During the late fruit development/ripening stage, 10% of red fruits, the threshold for re-irrigation for DI is when ASWC = 0.5 (Ψ_soil = −185 kPa) and for PRD when ASWC (dry side) = 0.4 (Ψ_{soil, dry side} = −270 kPa).

The findings during the SAFIR project might be used as a framework for implementing water-saving deficit irrigation under different local soil and climatic conditions.     

温室番茄循环曝气地下滴灌土壤水分动态及耗水特性

为探求循环曝气地下滴灌对温室番茄土壤水分及耗水特性的影响规律,采用正交试验,研究了不同滴灌带埋深、曝气水平及灌水量对温室番茄土壤含水率、耗水量、产量及水分利用效率的影响.整个生育期内番茄耗水量呈先增大后减小的趋势,曝气处理番茄耗水量显著高于不曝气处理.相比于不曝气处理,曝气滴灌处理番茄产量提高10%.15 cm滴灌带埋深、溶氧值30 mg/L以及K_P为0.75灌水量处理的番茄产量和水分利用效率达到最大值,分别为64 951.3 kg/hm²和23.26 kg/(hm²·mm).结果表明,曝气处理对番茄产量、水分利用效率的影响具有统计学意义(P<0.05).曝气对于土壤含水率有一定影响,且曝气处理有助于番茄对水分的吸收.滴灌带埋深和灌水量交互作用对番茄产量的影响具有统计学意义(P<0.05),滴灌带埋深和曝气量交互作用对番茄产量的影响具有统计学意义(P<0.01),灌水量与滴灌带埋深、灌水量与曝气水平交互作用分别对番茄水分利用效率的影响具有统计学意义(P<0.01).     

Response of cotton to various levels of nitrogen and water applied to normal and paired sown cotton under drip irrigation in relation to check-basin

Field experiments were conducted for 2 years to investigate the effects of various levels of nitrogen (N) and methods of cotton planting on yield, agronomic efficiency of N (AEN) and water use efficiency (WUE) in cotton irrigated through surface drip irrigation at Bathinda situated in semi-arid region of northwest India. Three levels of N (100, 75 and 50% of recommended N, 75 kg ha⁻¹) were tested under drip irrigation in comparison to 75 kg of N ha⁻¹ in check-basin. The three methods of planting tried were; normal sowing of cotton with row to row spacing of 67.5 cm (NS), normal paired row sowing with row to row spacing of 35 and 100 cm alternately (NP) and dense paired row sowing with row to row spacing of 35 and 55 cm alternately resulting in total number rows and plants to be 1.5 times (DP) than NS and NP. In NS there was one lateral along each row, but in paired sowings there was one lateral between each pair of rows. Consequently the number of laterals and quantity of water applied was 50 and 75% in NP and DP, respectively, as compared with NS in which irrigation water applied was equivalent to check-basin.Drip irrigation under NS resulted in an increase of 258 and 453 kg ha⁻¹ seed cotton yield than check-basin during first and second year, respectively, when same quantity of water and N was applied. Drip irrigation under dense paired sowing (DP) in which the quantity of irrigation water applied was 75% as compared with NS, further increased the yield by 84 and 101 kg ha⁻¹ than NS during first and second year, respectively. Drip irrigation under NP, in which the quantity of water applied and number of laterals used were 50% as compared with drip under NS, resulted in a reduction in seed cotton yield of 257 and 112 kg ha⁻¹ than NS during first and second year, respectively. However, the yield obtained in NP under drip irrigation was equivalent to yield obtained in NS under check-basin during first year but 341 kg ha⁻¹ higher yield was obtained during second year. The decrease in N applied, irrespective of methods of planting, caused a significant decline in seed cotton yield during both the years. Water use efficiency (WUE) under drip irrigation increased from 1.648 to 1.847 and from 0.983 to 1.615 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ during first and second year, respectively, when the same quantity of N and water was applied. The WUE further increased to 2.125 and 1.788 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ under DP during first and second year, respectively. The agronomic efficiency of nitrogen was higher in drip than check-basin during both the years when equal N was applied. The WUE decreased with decrease in the rate of N applied under fertigation but reverse was true for AEN. It is evident that DP under drip irrigation resulted in higher seed cotton yield, WUE and AEN than NS and also saved 25% irrigation water as well as cost of laterals.     

Root growth, available soil water, and water-use efficiency of winter wheat under different irrigation regimes applied at different growth stages in North China

Field experiments were conducted at the Luancheng Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences during the winter wheat growing seasons in 2006-2007 and 2007-2008. Experiments involving winter wheat with 1, 2, and 3 irrigation applications at jointing, heading, or milking were conducted, and the total irrigation water supplied was maintained at 120 mm. The results indicated that irrigation during the later part of the winter wheat growing season and increase in irrigation frequency decreased the available soil water; this result was mainly due to the changes in the vertical distribution of root length density. In ≤30-cm-deep soil profiles, 3 times irrigation at jointing, heading, and milking increased the root length density, while in >30-cm-deep soil profiles, 1 time irrigation at jointing resulted in the highest root length density. With regard to evapotranspiration (ET), there was no significant (LSD, P < 0.05) difference between the regimes wherein irrigation was applied only once at jointing; 2 times at jointing and heading; and 3 times at jointing, heading, and milking. Compared with 1 and 3 times irrigation during the winter wheat growing season, 2 times irrigation increased grain yield and 2 times irrigation at jointing and heading produced the highest water-use efficiency (WUE). Combining the results obtained regarding grain yield and WUE, it can be concluded that irrigation at the jointing and heading stages results in high grain yield and WUE, which will offer a sound measurement for developing deficit irrigation regimes in North China.     

Nitrate leaching in a silage maize field under different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer rates

Quantification of the interactive effects of nitrogen (N) and water on nitrate (NO₃) loss provides an important insight for more effective N and water management. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of different irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer levels on nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) leaching in a silage maize field. The experiment included four irrigation levels (0.7, 0.85, 1.0, and 1.13 of soil moisture depletion, SMD) and three N fertilization levels (0, 142, and 189 kg N ha⁻¹), with three replications. Ceramic suction cups were used to extract soil solution at 30 and 60 cm soil depths for all 36 experimental plots. Soil NO₃-N content of 0-30 and 30-60-cm layers were evaluated at planting and harvest maturity. Total N uptake (NU) by the crop was also determined. Maximum NO₃-N leaching out of the 60-cm soil layer was 8.43 kg N ha⁻¹, for the 142 kg N ha⁻¹ and over irrigation (1.13 SMD) treatment. The minimum and maximum seasonal average NO₃ concentration at the 60 cm depth was 46 and 138 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Based on our findings, it is possible to control NO₃ leaching out of the root zone during the growing season with a proper combination of irrigation and fertilizer management.