Comparison of Different Irrigation Methods Based on the Parametric Evaluation Approach in Abbas Plain: Iran

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to compare different irrigation methods based upon a parametric evaluation system in an area of 29,300 ha in the Abbas plain located in the Elam Province, in the west of Iran. The soil properties of the study area such as texture, depth, electrical conductivity, drainage, calcium carbonate content, and slope were derived from a semidetailed soil study carried out on the Abbas Plain on a scale of 1:20,000. Once the soil properties were analyzed and evaluated, suitability maps were generated for surface, sprinkle, and drip irrigation methods using remote sensing techniques and geographic information system. The obtained results showed that for 16,125 ha (55.03%) of the study area surface irrigation method was highly recommended; whereas for 16,600 ha (56.66%) of the study area a sprinkle irrigation method would provide to be extremely efficient and suitable; moreover, it was found that 15,425 ha (52.65%) of the study area was highly suitable for drip irrigation methods; however, one soil series coded 9 and covering an area of 2,150 ha (7.34%) was incompatible for sprinkle and surface irrigation systems. For drip irrigation systems the unsuitable lands did not exist in this zone. The results demonstrated that by applying sprinkle irrigation instead of surface and drip irrigation methods, the arability of 21,250 ha (72.53%) in the Abbas Plain will improve. In addition by applying drip irrigation instead of surface and sprinkle irrigation methods, the land suitability of 6,275 ha (21.42%) of this plain will improve. The comparison of the different types of irrigation techniques revealed that the sprinkle and drip irrigation methods were more effective and efficient than the surface irrigation methods for improving land productivity. It is of note, however, that the main limiting factor in using either surface and/or sprinkle irrigation methods in this area is soil texture and the main limiting factor in using drip irrigation methods were soil calcium carbonate content and soil texture.