Seasonal Evaluation of Surge Flow Irrigation for Corn

Abstract

SURGE flow irrigation of graded furrows was success-fully managed under field conditions to change a conventional 12-h steady flow set, 400-m (Vi-mile) field length, to a 24-h set by using the same field water supply to irrigate a large area per set. The surge flow treatment resulted in reduced total water application during seven irrigations from 1,180 to 814 mm (46.5 to 32.0 in.), reduced water intake from 992 to 733 mm (39.1 to 28.8 in.), reduced tailwater runoff from 189 to 82 mm (7.4 to 3.2 in.), and reduced estimated deep profile wetting below the root zone from 101 to 36 mm (4.6 to 1.4 in.) on moderately permeable Olton clay loam. Surge flow reduced both seasonal water use and grain yields by 6% and did not affect seasonal water use efficiency for grain production. The surge flow effect on reducing water intake of a surface soil loosened by tillage (32%) was almost double the average effect attained (17%) after consolidation of the surface soil by previous irrigation. The results indicate that surge flow irrigation can be managed successfully to reduce excessive water application in graded furrow systems.