Irrigation Water Distribution Research Articles

Impact of textural layers in soils on irrigation infiltration processes in an oasis farmland, northwestern China

AbstractThe Hexi Corridor Oasis in China is an important agricultural area supported by extensive irrigation. The sandy soil in the area exhibits textural layering, which has marked effects on its properties. Textural layered soils play an important role in distributing and regulating water regimes in irrigated fields. However, little is known about the textural layering‐dependent variability in soil water infiltration characteristics following irrigation and the potential effects on soil hydrology and water regimes in these soils. The objective of this study was to determine water infiltration processes and their influencing factors for six soil profile types in an oasis farmland. Six in situ constant‐head infiltration measurements (with three replications in each of six sites) were conducted with a single‐ring infiltrometer in different soil texture configurations, and Hydrus‐2D model was applied to evaluate soil water distribution. The results showed that the wetting front depth for all treatments was in the following order: ST‐1 > ST‐5 > ST‐6 > ST‐3 > ST‐2 > ST‐4; the stable infiltration rate ranged from 1.2 to 3.3 cm/min during the investigation period in all treatments. The presence of a finer‐textured soil layer decreased water infiltration rates through the profiles, and the thickness and burial depth of textured layers had obvious effects on infiltration, compared with homogeneous sand profiles. Presence of a medium‐textured layer affected the infiltration characteristics and soil water spatial variability; driven by increased field capacity and the wilting point, hydraulic conductivity was correlated with soil variables that were related to soil structure, such as wilting point and field capacity, and less so with variables that were related to soil texture, such as the clay fractions (p < 0.001). These results suggested that textural layering altered the soil structure and caused heterogeneous infiltration of water, with implications for the distribution of irrigation water and prevention of deep percolation in this oasis farmland. The result of this study offers a new analysis of ponded single‐ring water infiltrometer data that the soil water infiltration is also influenced by the type of textural layered than just the irrigation system, which supports crop irrigation management in study area and other regions with similar soil regimes.

APLIKASI IRIGASI TETES BERTINGKAT PADA TANAMAN SEMUSIM MENDUKUNG KETAHANAN PANGAN KELUARGA DI LINGKUNGAN PERMUKIMAN KOTA MATARAM

The use of multistage drip irrigation needs to be supported by adequate planting media so that irrigation water can be provided optimally. The planting medium used is practically soil mixed with compost and put in a polybag. Therefore, by adding compost with a certain composition to the soil, it is hoped that a good planting medium will be obtained. This test aims to determine the effect of using cocopeat compost and cow compost as well as soil as a planting medium in polybags on providing multistage drip irrigation. Flow characteristics on the distribution of irrigation water, its absorption capacity, absorption rate and irrigation uniformity achieved. The test was carried out on a ½” PVC drip irrigation network with a 2 lt/hour emitter consisting of 4 network levels on land measuring 2m x 4m, water source from a tower with a height of around 2.5m and a tank capacity of 150 liters. Test data for analysis consists of irrigation volume and distribution, drip system flow rate, irrigation uniformity (Cu), infiltration rate and irrigation depth. The analysis results show that the average irrigation distribution on floors 1 to 4 is 3028ml, 2937ml, 2848.25ml and 2793 ml, with flow rates on floors 1 to 4 of 40ml/s, 39 ml/s, 38 ml/s and 37 ml/sec. The amount of drip discharge (qt) on the 1st floor was 6.7ml/sec, on the 2nd floor the amount was 6.5 ml/sec, on the third floor it was 6.3 ml/sec and 6.2ml/sec on the 4th floor. Irrigation uniformity was obtained by 96% is considered very good, with an average infiltration rate hc in V2 of 0.04 cm/s, in V3 the hc was 0.03cm/s and in V4 the hc was 0.027cm/s. So the irrigation infiltration rate when using cocopeat tends to decrease if the portion of the planting medium increases, so its use needs to be limited.

Soil moisture-based irrigation interval and irrigation performance evaluation: In the case of lower kulfo catchment, Ethiopia

The lack of soil moisture-based irrigation intervals, poor distribution of irrigation water among users, and the time-based and spatial variability of water supply have been challenges for the productivity of irrigation schemes in the Lower Kulfo catchment, Southern Ethiopia. This study was conducted to develop soil moisture-based irrigation intervals and to evaluate irrigation water delivery and field level irrigation efficiencies. Soil water content, and flow along the canal and in the field were measured directly, and irrigation duty was estimated by using CropWat 8 model. To minimize water stress or excess problems, irrigation needs to be applied when soil water content drops to 35.7 % for onion and pepper, 34.4 %% for watermelon, and 32.5 % for wheat and maize from field capacity. However, irrigation was applied at 36.2 % for onion, 35.4 % for watermelon, 36.4 % for pepper, 36.2 % for maize, and 35 % for wheat in the existing irrigation scheme that increased irrigation amount in the field. The average percentage of soil moisture depletion (p) at time of irrigation was 27.4 %, which was below the recommended value. The average adopted irrigation and design irrigation interval were 4 & 6 days for onion and pepper, 5 & 7 days for watermelon and wheat, and 6 & 7 days for maize, respectively. The mean irrigation adequacy and dependability of the irrigation scheme in the lower Kulfo catchment were 1 & 0 for Arba Minch irrigation scheme, 0.5 & 0.2 for Arba Minch University farmland, 0.4 & 0.25 for private farmland and 0.1 & 0.43 for Kollashara farmland, respectively. The value of irrigation equity was 0.7 in January, 0.6 in February, and 0.8 in March which indicates the highly temporary variation of irrigation adequacy. The mean value of canal conveyance was 82.7 % and the average on-farm irrigation efficiency also was 56.6 %. The average value crop yield in the present study were 0.5ton/ha for wheat, 4.9ton/ha for onion, 6.2ton/ha for pepper, 0.6ton/ha for watermelon, 4.2ton/ha for maize that was very low compared with other control irrigation in the study area. Inadequate soil moisture-based intervals, inequitable water distribution, and variable supply hinder irrigation in the Lower Kulfo catchment; adopting optimized practices and robust management can enhance efficiency, equity, and crop productivity.

Development of a coupled surface water–groundwater model for the spatiotemporal simulation of river–aquifer interactions

AbstractIntegrating surface and groundwater use is a crucial part of water management. When one type of water is depleted, the other follows suit because of the constant movement and interaction between them. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to establish a method by which the water evaluation and planning system (WEAP) surface water model and the MODFLOW groundwater model can communicate with one another. This article aims to demonstrate the interdependence of groundwater and surface water. Here, we use MODFLOW to model the saturated soil region and the soil moisture method to model the unsaturated soil region. The interaction between surface water and groundwater will affect the region's water resources and how they will operate under the continuance of existing practices. The simulation of saturated and unsaturated soil zones using a connected model of surface and groundwater employing all the hydroclimatology balance components is one of the most significant accomplishments of this research. The findings show that the (Iran) Sonqor Plain's maximum aquifer recharge throughout the months of November to May during a period of 30 years (October 1991 to September 2020) ranges between 1.5 and 2.6 million m³. A lack of recharge from irrigation water infiltration occurs in some of these months in addition to rain. The highest rate of groundwater level increase in this area is 4.5 m yr⁻¹ as a result of the distribution of irrigation water provided from the dam in the north‐western region.

Pengaruh Variasi Diameter Pipa Primer Terhadap Pola Resapan Air Irigasi tetes Bertingkat Pada Media Tanam Polybag

Multilevel drip irrigation is an irrigation method that supports water-saving agricultural activities in limited areas by channeling water through perforated pipes from emitters. The ideal multistage drip irrigation system can provide the same drip volume to plants, so the distribution of irrigation water and its depth need to be important factors to pay attention to in order to provide optimal plant irrigation. This research aims to determine the effect of using variations in primary channel pipe diameter on the distribution of drip irrigation and the depth of infiltration of irrigation products in a 3 (three) tier drip irrigation network. Tests were carried out on primary pipes from floors 1 to 3 with a diameter of ½", ¾" and pipes 1", with lateral drip pipes with ½" PVC. The size of the test field is 4 m x 1 m x 1.8 m and the distance between levels is around 0.9 m and the irrigation water source from a 200 liter tank is 2.5 m high. The research results showed that irrigation distribution results were quite good at all levels of the irrigation network, namely 70 ml and 68 ml. Irrigation patterns do not have a significant effect on the results of irrigation distribution due to variations in primary pipe diameter. A soil composition of 30% compost has achieved irrigation infiltration with a depth of 21 cm, including the fastest, namely 25 minutes and for 70% soil, an irrigation infiltration time of 35 minutes is required.

Assessment of Agricultural Drought Using the Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) to Prediction Drought at Corong River Basin

As a complex and widespread natural phenomenon, drought poses a significant threat to the agricultural sector, especially in developing countries, resulting in significant economic losses. Its close relationship with water resilience and crop production necessitates sophisticated monitoring approaches for agricultural drought. Leveraging satellite remote sensing technology and various data types such as multispectral, thermal infrared, and microwave, can monitors drought on a large scale. This technology provides a comprehensive perspective for timely and spatial data collection, facilitating monitoring vegetation in vast agricultural areas. The study focuses on developing an agricultural drought model from 2017 to 2021, using Landsat 8 imagery. The model integrates the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), resulting in the establishment of the Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) method. To predict agricultural drought in the Corong River Basin, the study employs the Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model. Findings reveal varying degrees of dryness in the Corong River Basin, with 77% categorized as Strong dry conditions, 1% as Dry, 0.3% as Moderate wetness, and 21.6% as wetness. Drought predominantly occurs between July and October, impacting approximately 78% of the total dry area and extending across almost the entire region. The SARIMA (0,0,1)(3,0,0)12 model, with a MAPE value of 0.2399, emerges as the most effective for predicting agricultural drought. These forecasted results provide critical insights into the level of agricultural drought in the Corong River Basin and valuable information for drought mitigation strategies, especially in regulating the distribution of irrigation water.

IoT Based Smart Irrigation System

In recent years, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technology into agriculture has shown great potential for enhancing irrigation practices, thereby improving crop yield and water efficiency. This paper presents the design, implementation, and performance evaluation of an IoT-based smart irrigation system tailored for agricultural applications. The proposed system employs various sensors to monitor soil moisture levels, weather conditions, and crop water requirements in real time. Data collected from these sensors are transmitted wirelessly to a central control unit, which utilizes an intelligent algorithm to optimize irrigation scheduling and water distribution. The system also incorporates remote monitoring and control capabilities, allowing farmers to access and manage irrigation operations from anywhere via a web or mobile interface. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the IoT-based smart irrigation system in conserving water, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing crop productivity. Moreover, the scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of the proposed solution make it suitable for deployment in both small-scale and large- scale agricultural settings. Key Words: IoT, smart irrigation, agriculture, soil moisture sensor, wireless communication, optimization, remote monitoring

REKONFIGURASI 26 KANAL IRIGASI MENGGUNAKAN METODE BINARY FIREFLY ALGORITHMS (BFA)

Reconfiguration of irrigation water channels on agricultural land aims to meet the water needs of rice fields. In its use, irrigation water must be used optimally. An automatic irrigation system is needed to provide water to plants in the desired conditions. In the irrigation control system, a servo motor simulates the control system using the Matlab 2013b software programme. Control simulations applied to irrigation prototypes are used to increase efficiency and determine the amount of irrigation water needed to regulate irrigation water distribution according to needs. As a controller comparison, an artificial intelligence method is used for controller tuning based on Binary Firefly Algorithm (BFA). The farthest water discharge results can be reduced in the reconfiguration model using the BFA method. So reconfiguring the network with BFA can reduce water discharge losses by 43.4538% of the water discharge losses from before

Optimal Pumping Flow Algorithm to Improve Pumping Station Operations in Irrigation Systems

In Spain, irrigated agriculture is the most water-intensive sector, consuming around of 80% of water resources. Moreover, irrigation water distribution systems are the infrastructure by which one-third of water resource losses take place. Monitoring and controlling operations in irrigation canals are essential for mitigating leakages and water waste in operational actions. On the other hand, energy consumption by agriculture is around 5% of usage in developed countries and even higher in undeveloped countries. Although it is a small part of the total energy supply for a country, energy waste reduces the competitiveness of the agriculture sector, which continually reduces profit margins in an economic sector with very low profit margins already. The tool developed in this paper aims to increase the efficiency of water and energy management in the agricultural sector and is included in an overall control diagram for scheduled irrigation management. This tool, the optimal pumping flow (OPF algorithm), optimizes the pumping flow from the irrigation canal to the irrigation reservoir in terms of water level at the canal and reservoir, crop flow demand, system constraints, and energy prices. Regarding the results, the OPF algorithm can calculate the optimum pumping operations, being able to optimize water resource usage and energy expenses by ensuring that the water level at reservoirs remains within a specified range and that pump flow never exceeds a threshold. Further, it allows for the management of pump operations outside of peak hours. On the other hand, the OPF algorithm is also integrated into the overall control diagram in a second test. Here, the OPF algorithm collaborates with a control canal algorithm such as the GoRoSo algorithm to optimize canal gates and pump operations, respectively. In this scenario, OPF reduces cumulative energy expenses by 58% compared to the scenario where the pump station operates only when the reservoir water level is below a certain threshold.

Developing a Hybrid Irrigation System for Smart Agriculture Using IoT Sensors and Machine Learning in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan

The agriculture sector is one of the largest consumers of fresh water. Different types of irrigation systems are available, including center pivot, drip and sprinkler systems, and linear motion systems. However, the complex structure of existing irrigation systems and their high maintenance costs encourage Indian farmers to continue using these methods. Due to its ease of use and low energy consumption, surface irrigation is one of the most popular irrigation techniques. Although the main reasons for poor irrigation application efficiency are uneven irrigation water distribution and deep absorption, using a variety of technologies, countries are trying to increase the sustainability of agriculture. Automated irrigation systems contribute significantly to water conservation. The combination of automation and Internet of Things (IoT) improves agricultural practices. These technologies help farmers understand their crops, minimize their impact on the environment, and preserve resources. They also enable efficient monitoring of the weather, water resources, and soil. This research proposes an intelligent, low-cost field irrigation system. The proposed prototype can measure soil moisture, rain status, wind speed, water level, temperature, and humidity using a hardware sensor and unit. To decide whether to turn on or off the motor, a variety of sensors are used to get a range of readings and conclusions. They enable automatic watering when soil moisture levels are below a certain threshold, and if soil moisture is equal to the required moisture, then the irrigation process stops. Every few minutes, the sensors measure the environmental factors. Data are collected and stored on a ThingSpeak cloud server for analysis. To evaluate the data we collected, we used a variety of models, such as K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Naïve Bayes, random forest, and logistic regression. Compared to other Naïve Bayes and random forest models, the accuracy rate was 98.8%, the mean square error was 0.16, and the results of logistic regression, KNN, and SVM were in order: (98.3%/1.66), (99.3%/0.66), and (99.5%/0.5), respectively. In the end, an automated irrigation system run on IoT applications gives farmers access to remote monitoring and control, as well as information about the specifics of the irrigation field.

Influence of Formal Mechanisms on Irrigation Water Distribution: A Farmer Centric Analysis in Pakistan

Influence of Formal Mechanisms on Irrigation Water Distribution: A Farmer Centric Analysis in Pakistan

Гидравлические исследования поливного модуля системы комбинированного орошения

Purpose: to state hydraulic characteristics and determine priority directions for improving the irrigation module design for combined drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation. Materials and methods. The study is based on the joint use of theoretical methods – a well-known mathematical model for calculating the hydraulic characteristics of the irrigation module and experiment, which allows assessing the problem state and scale solutions in any necessary proportions. Results. According to calculations, the uniformity of watering is maintained at an acceptable level at a lower head level in the range of 1.56–1.68 atm when installing six microsprinklers on a drip line. When installing eight sprinklers, the water head along the length of the drip pipeline decreased to an unacceptable 1.39–1.40 atm. Experimental studies have shown that there is only an option with two sprinklers installed on the pipeline above the level of 1.5 atm. Already with the installation of four sprinklers, the water head along the length of the pipeline decreased to 1.45–1.47 atm. At the same time, the variation in the actual microsprinkler performance reached 16 % or more. The discrepancy between experimental and model data is explained by the fact that the calculation model does not fully take into account local resistances that arise when connecting sprinklers. Conclusions. Two main reasons of the increased uneven distribution of irrigation water over the irrigated area have been identified. The first reason is a significant increase in water flow in the irrigation pipeline when emitters and sprinklers work together. The solution to this problem is to develop structures that make it possible to separate the water flow through emitters and through sprinklers in time. The second reason is an increase in local resistance in the water diversion units to the sprinklers. The solution to this problem is to develop special water diversion structures that would be characterized by minimal local resistance.

Water productivity of barley crop under laser land leveling technique and minimum tillage

ABSTRACTLaser land leveling is an important method that helps to improve the spatial distribution of irrigation water and fertilizers applications, subsequently reduce water, nutrient, and energy inputs to agriculture and contributes to increasing productivity. Thus, the aim of the study was to improve the productivity of the barley crop grown in sandy lands under conditions of water scarcity and the negative impact of climate change in Egypt by using laser leveling and the minimum tillage method. Two experiments were conducted during the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 seasons at the Nubariya farm, Buhaira Governorate, Egypt to study the effects of laser leveling and minimum tillage (zero – tillage, 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm) affecting the distribution of soil moisture, water stress, effectiveness of water application, yield characteristics, water productivity, and some quality parameters of the barley crop. The statistical analysis’ findings revealed a considerable influence of both laser soil leveling and minimum depth of plowing on productivity, water productivity and quality properties of barley crop. Laser leveling with a plowing depth of 10 cm gave the most favorable values of the soil moisture content at the root-zone as well as better grain yield and water productivity in addition to improve the quality properties of barley. The grain yield has improved by 12.65% and 10.41%, while water productivity has increased by 12.75% and 10.06% during the seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, respectively. This increase is likely the result of improving soil moisture distribution and increasing irrigation application efficiency, which resulted in less water stress in the root zone and subsequently increased yield, water productivity and quality properties of barley during the two growing seasons. Generally, the application of laser land leveling as eco-friendly practice will help in sustaining barley productivity in Egypt particularly in the sandy soil regions. According to this study, laser-assisted precision field leveling has the potential to improve grain yield and crop establishment, water productivity and barley quality properties in addition to achievement of the highest net income for farmers.

A Review of Optimal Design for Large-Scale Micro-Irrigation Pipe Network Systems

Micro-irrigation pipe network systems are commonly utilized for water transmission and distribution in agricultural irrigation. They effectively transport and distribute water to crops, aiming to achieve water and energy conservation, increased yield, and improved quality. This paper presents a model for the scaled micro-irrigation pipeline network system and provides a comprehensive review of the fundamental concepts and practical applications of optimization techniques in the field of pipeline network design. This paper is divided into four main sections: Firstly, it covers the background and theoretical foundations of optimal design for scaled micro-irrigation pipeline network systems. Secondly, the paper presents an optimal design model specifically tailored for scaled micro-irrigation pipeline networks. And then, it discusses various optimization solution techniques employed for addressing the design challenges of scaled micro-irrigation pipeline networks, along with real-world case studies. Finally, this paper concludes with an outlook on the ongoing research and development efforts in the field of scaled micro-irrigation pipeline network systems. In addition, this paper establishes a fundamental model for optimizing pipeline networks, to achieve minimum safe operation and total cost reduction. It considers constraints such as pipeline pressure-bearing capacity, maximum flow rate, and diameter. The decision-making variables include pipeline diameter, length, internal roughness, node pressure, future demand, and valve placement. Additionally, this paper provides an extensive overview of deterministic methods and heuristic algorithms utilized in the optimal design of micro-irrigation pipeline networks. Finally, this paper presents future research directions for pipeline network optimization and explores the potential for algorithmic improvements, integration of machine learning techniques, and wider adoption of EPANET 2.0 software. These endeavors aim to lay a strong foundation for effectively solving complex and challenging optimization problems in micro-irrigation pipeline network systems in the future.

Modifying physical supply and use tables (PSUTs) in the system of environmental-economic accounting (SEEA) for off-farm irrigation water management

A reliable water accounting framework is crucial for understanding the contribution of water resources in meeting agricultural demands and selecting appropriate operating systems for off-farm water systems, including hydraulic conveyance and distribution structures. This ensures fair, adequate, and dependable irrigation water distribution, especially under water scarcity operational scenarios. This study presents a novel and effective method for modifying PSU tables in the SEEA water accounting framework that is specifically designed for small-scale agricultural water management study areas. The proposed approach entails a comprehensive analysis of the surface water distribution within the water holders using a hydraulic simulation model and a spatial analysis of the groundwater extraction for meeting on-farm water demands. This approach was implemented on Iran's Central Plateau and revealed notable variations in water rights and distribution effectiveness among stakeholders so that, surface water contributed 27–40% less than the legal water rights, leading to aquifer overexploitation. The evaluation indicated that changing crop patterns and upgrading to pressurized irrigation systems led to 4–7.5% overexploitation of groundwater and 3.5–6% water conservation on farm scales. Besides, the spatial assessment verified a considerable overlap of 59% between the farms with modern irrigation systems and those with cultivated area expansion, resulting in sustained overexploitation pressure on the aquifer. The present study has two significant practical implications. Firstly, it specifies the contribution of surface- and groundwater resources in fulfilling the water demands of individual water-holders. Secondly, it provides reliable information to decision-makers about the incentives for modernization, rehabilitation, and renovation projects in an irrigation district.

Penilaian Indeks Kinerja Sistem Irigasi (Studi Kasus Daerah Irigasi Cirompang Kabupaten Garut Jawa Barat)

Irrigation is an effort to provide, regulate and distribute irrigation water. The Cirompang Irrigation Area is located in Bungbulang District, Garut Regency, West Java Province, with a functional area of 847 Ha, covering the service area of 4 (four) villages, namely Cihikeu Village, Bungbulang Village, Margalaksana Village and Hanjuang Village, Bungbulang District. The location of the Cirompang Irrigation Area Weir is in the village of Cintarasa, Samarang sub-district. The availability of water in the upstream, downstream and main network areas during the planting season I to planting season III is felt to be sufficient but in the middle areas the availability of water is reduced or it can be said to be non-existent due to reduced water potential and there are damaged irrigation networks and accumulation of sedimentation which results in obstruction of water flow. The Cirompang secondary canal experienced moderate to moderate damage, there was accumulation of mud or sedimentation which affected the flow of water and besides that there was also a lack of personal O&M officers in the field such as irrigation officers, weir operation officers, water gate officers and workers who have so far relied on participation. water user farmers (P3A/GP3A). The research method was carried out by direct observation in the field, interviews and secondary data analysis. Calculation of the real need for operation and maintenance is needed to determine the O&M funding and priority recommendations proposed to increase the value of irrigation system performance appraisal (IKSI). The results of the IKSI assessment for the Cirompang irrigation area, the combined index value is in the bad criteria, namely with a weight value of 48.14%, meaning that the irrigation network requires rehabilitation of the irrigation system and needs immediate treatment. 117,626,150.00 In addition, O&M financing in Cirompang for the last 3 years is still far from ideal conditions, namely an average of only 10% of AKNOP. Efforts to increase the water discharge, it is suggested for the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office of Garut Regency is to increase the budget allocation, empower the participation of water-using farmers and rehabilitate irrigation networks.

Operating inlet pressure head assessment for multi-outlet submain manifolds in a low-pressurized water distribution network system

Abstract Multi-outlet pipes can be used to distribute and collect fluids and have applications in various engineering fields, especially in the water supply system. The hydraulic design of a submain unit pipeline with multiple outlets is a very important concern for the proper hydraulic performance of irrigation water distribution systems. The operating inlet pressure head, H0I, is a main hydraulic component for the proper hydraulically efficient design and evaluation of pressure head distribution along the line. The energy-gradient ratio (EGR) approach is a useful tool to identify first which type of pressure profile occurs for a given uniform design slope with other hydraulic variables initially known and then, comprehensively evaluate its definite hydraulic characteristics along the line. Knowing the hydraulic properties of any type of pressure profile regarded enables the design engineer to evaluate pressure parameters through the line sections in a simple way. The procedure is simplified by regarding the localized head loss along the pipe but neglecting the change in kinetic head. The present analytical technique performs sufficiently accurately in comparison with the computer-aided software design technique, for all performed simulations.

Modelling farmland dynamics in response to farmer decisions using an advanced irrigation-related agent-based model

Often, individual, communal, regional, or even national conflicts arise when water resources are shared and used. For equitable water-sharing strategies to be implemented, adequate collective action is required to allocate water – not limited to, but specifically in irrigation systems. In this research, we develop an Advanced Irrigation-Related Agent-Based Model (AIRABM) to explore issues of unequal access to water in relation to water use on farm and system levels. By simulating farmer activities and system management decisions within an irrigation system, our research aims to explore farmland dynamics in response to different levels of decision-making according to water availability. We incorporate both individual and collective decision-making processes to explore patterns in farmers’ yields and the dynamics of farmlands. Our results show that (1) within a prevailing trend of increasing yields for higher river discharge and gate capacity, (2) the influence of water availability is characterized by nonlinear changes in yields in response to variations in river discharge and gate capacity, revealing thresholds and tipping points, with (3) strategies for water redistribution partially alleviate inequitable water allocation between upstream and downstream farmers, although considerable variation persists in individual farmers’ and system-wide harvest outcomes. The AIRABM emphasizes individual and collective decision-making processes, encapsulating the uncertainty stemming from water availability and harvests of individual farmers. The modeling framework serves as a valuable tool to explore cooperative approaches in shared (water) resource management. Our findings provide meaningful suggestions to study and promote communication and (conditional) cooperation measures between farmers and management, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of irrigation water distribution.

Developing a tactical irrigation and nitrogen fertilizer management strategy for winter wheat through drip irrigation.

Agricultural activities in the North China Plain are often challenged by inadequate irrigation and nutrient supply. Inadequate and improper resource utilization may impose negative impacts on agricultural sustainability. To counteract the negative impacts, a deeper understanding of the different resource management strategies is an essential prerequisite to assess the resource saving potential of crops. We explored plausible adaptation strategies including drip irrigation lateral spacings of 40 and 80 cm (hereafter referred to as LS40 and LS80, respectively), irrigating winter wheat after soil water consumption of 20 and 35 mm (hereafter represented as IS20 and IS35, respectively), and nitrogen fertilization scheme of a) applying 50% nitrogen as a basal dose and 50% as a top-dressing dose (NS50:50), b) 25% nitrogen as a basal dose and 75% as a topdressing dose (NS25:75), and c) no nitrogen application as a basal dose and 100% application as a top-dressing dose (NS0:100). The consecutive 2 years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) of field study results show that growing winter wheat under LS40 enhanced the water use efficiency (WUE), grain yield, 1,000-grain weight, and number of grains per spike by 15.04%, 6.95%, 5.67%, and 21.59% during the 2017-2018 season, respectively. Additionally, the corresponding values during the 2018-2019 season were 12.70%, 7.17%, 2.66%, and 19.25%, respectively. Irrigation scheduling of IS35 treatment improved all the growth-related and yield parameters of winter wheat. Further, treating 25% nitrogen as a basal dose and application of 75% as a top-dressing dose positively influenced the winter wheat yield. While NS0:100 increased the plant height, leaf area index (LAI), and aboveground biomass as compared to the other application strategies, but high nitrogen was observed in deeper soil layers. Regarding soil environment, the lowest soil moisture and nitrate nitrogen contents were observed in LS80 during both growing seasons. Overall, coupling the IS35 with NS25:75 under 40-cm lateral spacing is a suitable choice for sustainable winter wheat production in theNorth China Plain. The results of our study may be helpful in advancing the knowledge of the farmer community for winter wheat production. The findings can also aid in advancing new insights among scientists working on soil water and nitrogen distribution in drip irrigation for better productivity.

Integrasi Metode Objective Tree Diagram dan Quality Function Deployment dalam Perancangan Hydraulic Ram Pump (Hydram Pump) untuk Sistem Distribusi Air Irigasi Ramah Lingkungan di Sumatera Barat

This study proposes an integration between the Objective Tree Diagram (OTD) and Quality Function Deployment (QFD) methods in the design of a Hydraulic Ram Pump (Hydram Pump) for an environmentally friendly irrigation water distribution system in West Sumatra. The hydram method uses the potential energy of river water to drive the pump without the need for electricity or fossil fuels, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts. This study involved a design phase of Identifying user requirements, Developing an Objective Tree Diagram to decompose the ultimate goals, and Integrating Quality Function Deployment to link user requirements with technical specifications. The design results indicate that the hydram pump can be designed to meet the needs of irrigation systems in West Sumatra. With a minimum waterfall height of 0.5 meters, the hydram pump can produce a head of 10 meters. The inlet flow rate is designed to be a maximum of 0.0354 m3/second, while the outlet flow rate is 0.028 m3/second or approximately 2448 liters daily. Integrating OTD and QFD methods allows designers to comprehensively understand user requirements, connect them with precise technical specifications, and reduce the gap between design and actual needs. This research is expected to contribute to developing an environmentally friendly irrigation water distribution system in West Sumatra. By using an integrative approach of the OTD and QFD methods, the design of the hydram pump can be more targeted and meet user needs. The implications of this research can be utilized as a guide in designing efficient and sustainable irrigation water distribution systems while reducing negative environmental impacts in the region.