Effect of nozzle type on runoff and yield of corn and sorghum under center pivot sprinkler systems

Summary Corn (Zea mays L.) and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) production were compared under impact and spray nozzled center pivot sprinkler systems. The crops were grown under two pairs of sprinkler systems located approximately 110 km apart. One system of each pair was equipped with high pressure (379 or 414 kPa) impact sprinkler heads and the other system was equipped with low pressure (172 or 207 kPa) spray nozzles. Half of each circle was planted to corn and half was planted to sorghum. Additionally, four tillage treatments were included in the experimental design (conventional tillage, conventional tillage + deep ripping, conventional tillage + diking, and minimum tillage). The evaporative losses from the high pressure system with impact sprinkler heads were not significantly different from the low pressure system with spray nozzles. The minimum tillage and deep ripped treatments reduced runoff while diking eliminated it. The two nozzle types did not produce significantly different grain sorghum yields; however, corn yielded significantly more under the high pressure system with impact sprinkler heads than under the low pressure system with spray nozzles. The different tillage treatments did not influence yields of either crop significantly.Contribution of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Paper No. 19198     

Soil management and traffic effects on infiltration of irrigation water applied using sprinklers

Zero tillage and controlled traffic have been proposed as means for more productive and sustainable irrigated farming. Both practices affect soil infiltration characteristics and, therefore, should have effects on sprinkler irrigation performance. This study compared water infiltration and runoff in three sprinkler irrigation tests performed on an alluvial loam soil at different times during a maize (Zea mays L.)–cotton (Gossypium hirstium L.) rotation under two soil managements: permanent beds with crop residue retention (PB: planting beds maintained unaltered from year to year) and conventional beds with residues incorporated with tillage (CB: disc and chisel ploughing followed by rotavator pass and bed forming every year). Traffic was controlled and two types of furrows were distinguished in both tillage systems: with (+T) and without (−T) wheel traffic. The irrigation tests were performed on maize at full cover, on bare soil just before cotton sowing and on cotton with 50% ground cover. Infiltration and runoff were affected notably by both traffic and soil management. The soil under PB infiltrated more water than under CB, and −T furrows more than +T furrows. Considering the combined treatments, −T furrows in the CB system infiltrated more water than +T furrows in the PB system. A sprinkler irrigation model for simulating water application and soil infiltration and runoff was formulated. The model was used to analyse irrigation performance under infiltration characteristic of the CB and PB systems in trafficked and non-trafficked furrows. Five irrigation performance indicators were used to assess the various combinations of tillage and traffic: Wilkox–Swailes coefficient of uniformity; application efficiency; deep percolation ratio; tail water ratio; and adequacy. The model was used to develop operation diagrams and provided guidelines for making irrigation decisions in the new controlled traffic/permanent bed system and in a standard conventional system.     

一种H型组合喷头的设计与试验

为优化植保器械,设计了一种H型组合喷头,对组合喷头田间作业参数对施药效果的影响进行试验研究.阐述分析了H型组合喷头的构造及工作原理,根据田间试验得到该组合喷头各部件的优选参数.结果表明:在0.3～0.9MPa压力下,H型组合喷头的流量为208.3～293.3mL/min、雾滴粒径分布跨度为0.71～0.82;常规喷头流...     

Impact of modified tillage on runoff and nutrient loads from potato fields in Prince Edward Island

Potato production accounts for ∼24% of the cultivated land-use in Prince Edward Island, Canada. The island often experiences prolonged dry periods interspersed with excessive rainfall events throughout the growing season. Thus, water retention is important for maximum crop production while sediment and nutrient loading to surface water systems are also concerns. Therefore, agronomic practices that reduce the environmental impact of potato production are being sought. Basin tillage (BT) is a potential option in which small dams are created in the furrows (row middles), resulting in basins that enhance infiltration, reduce runoff, minimize contaminant loads, and increase yields.This on-farm study compared BT against two types of ‘conventional’ hilling treatments with replicated plots on four field sites over two growing seasons. Field sites had sandy loam soils with topography slopes ranging from 3% to 5%. Within each field, nine 25 m long and 3.66 m wide (4 rows) plots were established, including three plots of each hilling treatment (CT = conventional tillage; RS = row shaper tillage; BT = basin tillage). Runoff volume, nutrient (phosphate, ammonium, nitrate) and suspended solids loads were measured using collection barrels on the down slope end of each furrow.Basin tillage had 78% and 75% less runoff than CT and RS, respectively (P < 0.05). Runoff differences between BT and CT were significant at all sites while runoff differences between BT and RS were significant at three of four sites. Reductions for each parameter (on a mass basis) averaged across all sites were: sediment 89%, nitrate 45%, ammonium 38%, and phosphate 15%; although, treatment effect was not significant for some mass loads in some fields. No significant effect on marketable potato yield was observed at any site; soil water was not limiting in either growing season. Overall, basin tillage was effective at reducing runoff and nutrient losses without affecting yield and appears to be an effective tool for decreasing environmental risks.     

Impact of crop rotation and minimum tillage on water use efficiency of irrigated cotton in a Vertisol

Crop water use efficiency of irrigated cotton was hypothesized to be improved by a combination of minimum tillage and sowing a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) rotation crop. This hypothesis was evaluated in a Vertisol near Narrabri, Australia from 1997 to 2003. The experimental treatments were: continuous cotton sown after conventional or minimum tillage and minimum-tilled cotton–wheat. Soil water content was measured with a neutron moisture meter, and runoff with trapezoidal flumes. Application efficiency of irrigation water was estimated as the amount of infiltrated water/total amount applied. Plant available water was estimated using the maximum and minimum soil water storage during the growing season. Evapotranspiration was estimated with the water balance method using measured and simulated soil water data. Seasonal evapotranspiration was partitioned into that coming from rainfall, irrigation and stored soil water. Crop water use efficiency was calculated as cotton lint yield per hectare/seasonal evapotranspiration. Rotation of cotton with wheat and minimum tillage improved water use efficiency in some years and application efficiency in all years. Average seasonal evapotranspiration was higher with minimum tillage than with conventional tillage. In years when cotton was sown in all plots, average cotton crop water use efficiencies were 0.23, 0.23 and 0.22 kg (lint)/m³ for minimum-tilled cotton–wheat and continuous cotton, and conventionally tilled continuous cotton, respectively. In-season rainfall efficiency, transpiration and soil evaporation were unaffected by cropping system.     

保护性耕作中深松技术的应用研究

为推广保护性耕作技术,在法库地区3个乡镇进行深松技术应用试验。对深松地块和传统耕作地块各项指标进行测定,结果表明：深松地块比对比田土壤水分含量高、玉米长势好、产量高。证明应用深松技术可增强土壤蓄水保墒能力,有利于玉米生长发育,促进农民增收。     

Effects of conservation tillage practices on winter wheat water-use efficiency and crop yield on the Loess Plateau,China

In the semi-humid to arid loess plateau areas of North China, water is the limiting factor for rain-fed crop yields. Conservation tillage has been proposed to improve soil and water conservation in these areas. From 1999 to 2005, we conducted a field experiment on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to investigate the effects of conservation tillage on soil water conservation, crop yield, and water-use efficiency. The field experiment was conducted using reduced tillage (RT), no tillage with mulching (NT), subsoil tillage with mulching (ST), and conventional tillage (CT). NT and ST improved water conversation, with the average soil water storage in 0–200 cm soil depth over the six years increased 25.24 mm at the end of summer fallow periods, whereas RT soil water storage decreased 12 mm, compared to CT. At wheat planting times, the available soil water on NT and ST plots was significantly higher than those using CT and RT. The winter wheat yields were also significantly affected by the tillage methods. The average winter wheat yields over 6 years on NT or ST plots were significantly higher than that in CT or RT plots. CT and RT yields did not vary significantly between them. In each study year, NT and ST water-use efficiency (WUE) was higher than that of CT and RT. In the dry growing seasons of 1999–2000, 2004–2005 and the low-rainfall fallow season of 2002, the WUE of NT and ST was significantly higher than that of CT and RT, but did not vary significantly in the other years. For all years, CT and RT showed no WUE advantage. In relation to CT, the economic benefit of RT, NT, and ST increased 62, 1754, and 1467 yuan ha⁻¹, respectively, and the output/input ratio of conservation tillage was higher than that of CT. The overall results showed that NT and ST are the optimum tillage systems for increasing water storage and wheat yields, enhancing WUE and saving energy on the Loess Plateau.     

秋耕覆盖对马铃薯生长及水分利用效率的影响

在宁南旱区,采用免耕、深松、翻耕结合秸秆、地膜等覆盖耕作措施,以翻耕不覆盖为对照,研究覆盖耕作模式下休闲期土壤的蓄水保墒效果、马铃薯生育期土壤水分的变化特征及对作物生长、产量及水分利用效率的影响.结果表明:在休闲末期,不同覆盖耕作处理下0~200 cm土层土壤蓄水量均比休闲初期明显提高.与翻耕不覆盖处理相比,免耕覆盖地膜、深松覆盖地膜和翻耕覆盖地膜处理0~200 cm土层土壤蓄水量分别比对照处理提高7.6%,9.3%和8.0%.马铃薯生育前期,覆盖地膜结合不同耕作措施下0~200 cm土层土壤蓄水量最高,生育中后期覆盖秸秆结合不同耕作处理对0~200 cm土层土壤保水效果最佳.覆盖地膜结合不同耕作处理能促进马铃薯生育前期的生长,生育中后期以覆盖秸秆结合不同耕作处理促进作用最为显著.不同覆盖耕作处理均能提高马铃薯的产量和水分利用效率,增产效果以免耕覆盖秸秆、深松覆盖秸秆和翻耕覆盖秸秆处理最为显著,分别较对照组增产51.2%,42.8%和35.3%,水分利用效率分别比对照组提高50.0%,42.3%和32.3%.可见,覆盖秸秆结合不同耕作处理的增产效果和提高水分利用效率最高.     

喷灌条件下茶园土壤肥力与茶叶品质指标

在喷灌条件下水分调控的基础上,采用田间试验研究了茶园土壤肥力指标(包括土壤氮素、土壤温度)与茶叶品质指标(包括氨基酸、茶多酚)的动态变化规律.研究结果表明,喷灌条件下茶园表层土壤总氮(TN)含量最高,随着土层深度的增加,TN含量呈递减趋势,喷灌处理各土层TN含量略高于常规处理,速效氮含量变化呈现与TN含量变化相同趋势,对比常规处理,喷灌处理各土层土壤TN平均含量增加3.3%~22.2%,速效氮平均含量增加7.1%~24.7%;喷灌处理表层土壤与20 cm土层土壤温度均高于常规处理,表层土壤温度在5:00最低,比常规处理提前1 h,在14:00最高,与常规处理同步,20 cm土层土壤温度在8:00最低,比常规提前2 h,在17:00最高,比常规处理提前近2 h;此外,氨基酸含量变化呈现出先降低后增加的趋势,茶多酚含量变化呈现出先增加后降低的趋势,喷灌处理氨基酸、茶多酚含量均高于常规处理,氨基酸含量提高12.21%,茶多酚含量提高17.03%.     

喷灌动能对土壤入渗和地表径流影响的研究进展

总结了几种研究喷灌动能对土壤性能影响的方法 :单位面积动能对土壤入渗的影响 ;单位面积动能强度对土壤入渗的影响和不同的水滴撞击地面的角度对土壤入渗的影响。减小水滴打击地面动能的措施主要有 :在满足土壤结构不被破坏的前提下 ,尽量选择较小的喷头和喷嘴 ;减少喷灌强度和增加地表的覆盖度。同时与修整畦田、破除土壤表面的硬壳、以及喷施一定计量的化学物质 (如土壤改良剂 )等农艺措施相结合 ,可以更好的改善土壤结构 ,增加土壤的入渗水量     

Effects of applied water and sprinkler irrigation uniformity on alfalfa growth and hay yield

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of applied water and sprinkler irrigation uniformity on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth and hay yield in a semi-arid region. Field experiments were carried out in 2006 in Varamin, Iran, on three plots of 25 m × 30 m. Each plot was subdivided into 25 subplots of 5 m × 6 m. Different irrigation depths and sprinkler water uniformities were obtained by various scenarios of sprinkler nozzle pressure. In each plot, applied water was measured at 250 points (125 points above and 125 points below canopy) and the soil water content of 40 cm deep below soil surface was monitored at 25 points, each in the center of a subplot, throughout the irrigation season. The results showed that sprinkler water and soil water content uniformity varied between 66-78 and 88-91%, respectively. The findings revealed that soil water content uniformity was around 20% higher than sprinkler water uniformity. The irrigation uniformity below the canopy was estimated to be 2.5% greater than above the canopy, and canopy-intercepted water could account for 11-15% of the total seasonal applied water. Evaluation showed that alfalfa leaf area index relies more heavily on farm water application uniformity than hay yield and crop height. The experimental results illustrated that water distribution in sprinkler irrigation systems has a direct effect on alfalfa growth, hay yield and water productivity such that the applied water reduction and the increased sprinkler water uniformity led to an increased alfalfa water productivity of 2.41 kg m⁻³.     

Quantifying risk for water harvesting under semi-arid conditions: Part II. Crop yield simulation

Risk assessment of maize yield was carried out using a crop growth model combined with a deterministic runoff model and a stochastic rainfall intensity model. These were compared with empirical models of daily rainfall–runoff processes. The combination of the deterministic runoff model and the stochastic rainfall intensity model gave more flexible performance than the empirical runoff model. Scenarios of crop simulation included production techniques (water harvesting, WH, and conventional total soil tillage, CT) and initial soil water content at planting (empty, half and full). The in-field water harvesting technique used in the simulation was a no-till type of mini-catchment with basin tillage and mulching. The lower the initial soil water content at planting, the greater the yield difference between the WH and CT production techniques. With the low initial soil water content at planting, the WH production technique had up to 50% higher yield compared to the CT production technique, clearly thus demonstrating the superiority of the WH production technique. Under all the variations in agronomic practices (planting date, plant population, cultivar type) tested, the WH had a lower risk than CT under these semi-arid climatic conditions (i.e., WH increased the probability of higher crop yields).     

沙地大型喷灌机施肥灌溉配套鱼鳞坑对马铃薯生长和水肥利用的影响研究

为了实现沙地上大型喷灌机施肥灌溉下马铃薯的水肥高效利用,通过田间试验研究了大型喷灌机施肥灌溉条件下配套水土保持措施——鱼鳞坑对马铃薯生长、水肥利用效率等的影响。结果表明,在大型喷灌机条件下,通过负压计指导施肥灌溉,当垄中心20cm深度处的土壤水基质势低于-15kPa时进行施肥灌溉时,在马铃薯垄间挖鱼鳞坑,能有效地改善根区土壤水分状况,促进马铃薯的生长,不仅马铃薯增产22.1%~33.3%,还使肥料偏生产力提高了33.3%~36.8%。     

Sprinkler droplet size distribution measured with an optical spectropluviometer

In solid set sprinkler irrigation systems, many factors have influence on water partitioning efficiency and uniformity. Drop size formation in the irrigation process is affected by some of these factors. Soil crustiness and damage to bare soil structure are problems associated with large drops. This study shows the results of measured drop size distributions in medium-sized sprinklers. An optical spectropluviometer (OSP) with infrared beam was used to measure drop size distributions. A variety of factors were checked: sprinkler type, nozzles, jet straightening vane and working pressure. The results showed that working pressure has the most influence on drop sizes; under low-pressure conditions, drops with a diameter of about 9 mm can be formed. The influence of the jet straightening vane and the types of nozzles and sprinklers has also been studied. A good similitude is obtained between the medium drop diameters measured and those simulated with the SIRIAS ballistic simulation model.     

Wheat yield response to line source sprinkler irrigation and soil management practices on medium-textured shallow soils of arid environment

A field experiment was conducted for 3 years to evaluate the effect of deficit irrigation under different soil management practices on biomass production, grain yield, yield components and water productivity of spring wheat (Triticum estivum L.). Soil management practices consisted of tillage (conventional and deep tillage) and Farmyard manure (0 and 10 t ha^?1 FYM). Line source sprinkler laterals were used to generate one full- (ETm) and four deficit irrigation treatments that were 88, 75, 62 and 46 % of ETm, and designated as ETd₁, ETd₂, ETd₃, and ETd₄. Deep tillage significantly enhanced grain yield (14–18 %) and water productivity (1.27–1.34 kg m^?3) over conventional tillage. Similarly, application of FYM at 10 t ha^?1 significantly improved grain yield (10–13 %) and water productivity (1.25–1.31 kg m^?3) in comparison with no FYM. Grain yield response to irrigation varied significantly (5,281–2,704 kg ha^?1) due to differences in soil water contents. Water productivity varied from 1.05 to 1.34 kg m^?3, among the treatments in 3 years. The interactive effect of irrigation × tillage practices and irrigation × FYM on grain yield was significant. Yield performance proved that deficit irrigation (ETd₂) subjected to 75 % soil water deficit had the smallest yield decline with significant water saving would be the most appropriate irrigation level for wheat production in arid regions.     

A particle tracking velocimetry technique for drop characterization in agricultural sprinklers

A variety of techniques have been proposed in the literature for sprinkler drop characterization. An optical particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) technique is proposed in this paper to determine drop velocity, diameter and angle. The technique has been applied to the drops emitted by an isolated impact sprinkler equipped with two nozzles (diameters 3.20 and 4.37 mm) operating at a pressure of 175 kPa. PTV has been previously used to determine the velocity vector of different types of particles. In this research, PTV was used to photograph sprinkler drops over a region illuminated with laser light. Photographs were taken at four horizontal distances from the sprinkler, which was located at an elevation of 1.65 m over the soil surface. Drop angle and velocity were derived from the displacement of the drop centroid in two images separated by a short time step. Centrality and dispersion parameters were obtained for each drop variable and observation point. Results derive from the analysis of 2,360 images. Only 37.5 % of them (884 images) contained drops which could be processed by the PTV algorithm, resulting in a total of 3,782 drops. A filtering algorithm just validated 1,893 valid drops, which were successfully analyzed. The proposed technique uses expensive equipment requiring continued protection against irrigation water. This methodology has proven valuable to characterize irrigation water drops. Despite its robust measurement procedure, further comparison with other techniques seems necessary before this optical technique can be recommended for practical use in sprinkler drop characterization.     

Soil water storage and surface runoff as influenced by irrigation method in arid soils with surface crust

The effects of irrigation methods, application rates and initial moisture content on soil water storage and surface runoff were studied in soils liable to surface crust formation during 1995–1996 at the University of Jordan Research Station near Al-Muwaqqar village. Four irrigation methods were tested (sprinkler, furrow, basin and trickle) and four application rates (6.2, 14.4, 24.4 and 28.4 mm/h). Two runs were performed (soil initially dry and soil initially wet). Basin irrigation provided the highest application efficiency followed by trickle, sprinkler and furrow irrigation methods. Entrapping water by the basin borders increased soil water storage by allowing more water to infiltrate through the surface crust. Decreasing the application rate from 28.4 to 6.2 mm/h increased soil water storage significantly in all 150 mm layers to a depth of 600 mm. If the soil was already wet, soil moisture storage decreased owing to siltation during the prewetting and formation of a surface crust and low soil water storage capacity. A sedimentary crust formed at the bottom of the furrows in the furrow irrigation treatment, which reduced soil water storage and increased surface runoff significantly owing to the reduction in infiltration. Increasing the application rate from 6.2 to 28.4 mm/h in the furrow surface irrigation treatment increased the runoff discharge 10-fold. Even with the lowest application rate the runoff coefficient under sprinkler irrigation was 20.3% indicating high susceptibility of Al-Muwaqqar soils to surface crust formation.     

少免耕与秸秆还田对极端土壤水分及冬小麦产量的影响

为了高效利用天然降雨,缓和农业水资源短缺,该试验在小麦、玉米一年两熟条件下,设置耕作措施和秸秆2个因素,其中耕作措施分为常规耕作、深松耕、耙耕、旋耕、免耕5种,秸秆因素分为玉米秸秆全量还田与不还田,共10个处理,研究了耕作措施与秸秆因素对极端土壤水分和冬小麦产量的效应。结果表明,无论秸秆还田与否,相对于常规耕作,深松耕能提高土壤水分充足期的土壤含水率,增加冬小麦产量,尤其是深松耕秸秆还田,比常规耕作无秸秆还田分别高25.74%和11.45%。秸秆因素在土壤水分充足时影响土壤含水率方面占主导地位,秸秆因素与耕作措施在土壤水分亏缺时影响土壤含水率和冬小麦产量方面均起着重要的作用。免耕、深松耕、耙耕与秸秆还田的交互效应能够增加集雨,提高冬小麦产量。研究结果还表明,冬小麦产量与土壤水分亏缺时土壤含水率相关不显著,而与土壤水分充足期土壤含水率相关显著。     

Field evaluation of sand-ditch water harvesting technique in Jordan

Water harvesting is viable alternatives for rainfed agricultural production in semiarid lands. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of a relatively new water harvesting technique, called sand ditch, for moisture and soil conservation. Twelve field plots of 10 m × 2 m were constructed in two adjacent fields having silt loam soils but varied in soil depth, 0.75 m and 2 m, and slope of 10% and 12%. A 130 L barrel was installed at the downslope end of the plots to collect water and sediments at the end of each rainstorm along the rainy season. Three types of treatments were used in duplicates (12 plots in total); sand-ditch plots in which a ditch of 2-m long, 1 m wide and 0.8 m deep was constructed in the middle of plots across the slope (2 in each field), two compacted plots and two plots covered with plastic mulch in addition to four control plots, 2 in each field. The total amount of runoff, sediment concentration, total infiltration and sediment loss for the experimental plots were measured or calculated after each storm during the winter season 2004/2005. Experimental results showed that sand-ditch technique significantly reduced runoff and sediment loss and increased infiltration and soil moisture compared to control or compacted plots. The overall average runoff and sediment reductions in the sand-ditch plots were 46% and 61% compared to control plots. Sediment losses from compacted plots were about 2.2 and 6 folds higher than control and sand-ditch plots, respectively making soil compaction unsuitable technique for rainfall harvesting under the current experimental and climatic conditions. Construction of sand ditch also increased the dry matter yield of native grass by an average of 62% and 40% in the two experimental fields compared to control.     

Effects of tillage and fallow period management on soil physical behaviour and maize development

Effects of two tillage treatments and two fallow period managements under continuous maize cropping on soil temperature, soil water dynamics and maize development were evaluated over a 4-year period (2005–2008). Tillage treatments were conventional tillage with mouldboard ploughing and conservation tillage with disk harrowing. The fallow period managements were bare soil or soil sown with a cover crop after maize harvest. For each year, topsoil temperature (0–20 cm-depth) was lower under conservation tillage systems at sowing, from 0.8 to 2.8 °C. This difference persisted several weeks after sowing, and disappeared afterwards. Under conservation tillage, higher soil water content was generally measured at sowing and during the growing season strong fluctuations were observed at 40 cm-depth. Under conventional tillage, soil water content varied mainly in the tilled layer (20 cm-depth). Tillage and fallow period management affected water flow rate at 40 cm-depth. During the maize growing season, the lowest drainage volumes were measured in 2006 and 2008 under conservation tillage in cover cropped plots. No effect of fallow period management on maize development and yield was observed but significantly higher yields were measured under conservation tillage in 2005 and 2007. From this 4-year experiment under continuous maize cropping, using cover crop and reducing tillage intensity enhanced water use efficiency while maintaining or increasing maize yields.