Irrigation management evaluation of multiple irrigation methods using performance indicators

Abstract

ABSTRACT Six plots include three plots of solid-set sprinkler and three plots of border irrigation methods in Kangavar plain (Iran), were evaluated under farmers’ management standards. Wheat was grown in each of the plots and all the irrigation events were evaluated. The average values of irrigation indexes, distribution uniformity, potential application efficiency of the low quarter, application efficiency of the low quarter, application efficiency, deep percolation ratio, adequacy of irrigation, and water requirement efficiency in border-irrigated plots were 80.4%, 80.4%, 69.1%, 80.5%, 19.5%, 53.1%, and 80.8%, respectively. Those values indicated much better performance than the average values for the movable solid-set sprinkler-irrigated plots, which were 55.8%, 44.7%, 37.2%, 41.5%, 38.6%, 85.0% and 96.5%, respectively. So the system design and the farmers’ management are suitable with border irrigation in accordance with the experiences they have gained with time. That was not the case for the movable sprinkler irrigation system, in which the performance indexes are below the recommended minimum values. Therefore, the efficiency of an irrigation system is not independent of its management, and the farmer’s skill on the irrigation system is one of the most important indices for selecting a suitable irrigation system. Also, improving farmer’s management is the most appropriate way for improving irrigation performance.