Land suitability evaluation for surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation systems

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to compare different irrigation methods based upon a parametric evaluation system in an area of 13 300 ha in the Gotvand Plain, south west Iran. Once the soil properties were analysed and evaluated, suitability maps were generated for surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation methods using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The obtained results showed that for 3220 ha (24.2%) of the study area surface the irrigation method was highly recommended; whereas for 9015 ha (67.6%) of the study area a sprinkler irrigation method would be extremely efficient and suitable; moreover, it was found that 3515 ha (26.4%) of the study area was highly suitable for drip irrigation methods. The results demonstrated that by applying sprinkler irrigation instead of surface and drip irrigation methods, the arability of 12 590 ha (94.7%) in the Gotvand Plain would improve. The comparison of the different types of irrigation revealed that sprinkler irrigation was more effective and efficient than the drip and surface irrigation methods and improved land suitability for irrigation purposes. It is of note, however, that the main limiting factors in using surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation methods in this area were drainage and calcium carbonate content.