Abstract
Chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) is a traditional crop in the Mediterranean region of Spain, where it is only furrow irrigated. This article analyzes the irrigation performance for this crop, conducting field studies over three consecutive seasons in Valencia (Spain). Irrigation schedule was based on the volumetric soil water content, which was measured with capacitance sensors. Infiltrability was measured with blocked-furrow infiltrometers. An area velocity flow module measured the water flow, the cross-sectional geometry of furrows was determined using furrow profilometers, and times for advance and recession were recorded. WinSRFR software was used to analyze every irrigation event, determining the application efficiency (AE) and distribution uniformity of the minimum (DUmin), and to optimize the combination of furrow inflow (q) and cut-off time (Tco). Average values obtained for AE were 30.1%, 25.6%, and 26.7% in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, and the corresponding DUmin values were 0.54, 0.61, and 0.67. Optimized results showed that it is possible to reach AE and DUmin values up to 87% and 0.86, respectively. However, understanding the q-Tco relationship that maximizes both AE and DUmin is more important than knowing the specific values. A function that related q and Tco was obtained for the typical plot dimensions, and this was validated in 2011. Therefore, this function can be used in most of the plots in the cultivation area.
Highlights
IntroductionThe increase of irrigation water use efficiency can be achieved by both the increase of crop yield (that has been studied in the companion paper) and the reduction of gross water use through improvements in irrigation efficiency (Playán & Mateos, 2006)
In a companion paper (Pascual-Seva et al, 2013, this issue) the interest in chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck., known as tigernut) cultivation has been reported, both in Spain and in the world, as well as the characterization of the irrigation on the Huerta of Valencia irrigation district, and the productive response of chufa crop to two irrigation strategies was studied.The increase of irrigation water use efficiency can be achieved by both the increase of crop yield and the reduction of gross water use through improvements in irrigation efficiency (Playán & Mateos, 2006)
The aim of this study was to determine the actual volumes of water used in chufa cultivation and the corresponding application efficiency (AE) and distribution uniformity of the minimum (DUmin) values
Summary
The increase of irrigation water use efficiency can be achieved by both the increase of crop yield (that has been studied in the companion paper) and the reduction of gross water use through improvements in irrigation efficiency (Playán & Mateos, 2006). Irrigation system evaluation by field tests in normal conditions determines the parameters that are involved in water application, such as efficiency (average measure of water losses) and uniformity (water distribution in different parts of the plot). This information can help in making decisions to improve the irrigation system both from the economical and design point of view (Merriam et al, 1980).
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