On-farm energy requirements for localized irrigation systems of citrus in old lands [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The energy required to operate pump irrigation water for crop production can be measured in terms of fuel consumption or electric power usage. Energy usage depends on the amount of irrigation water, irrigation time and consequentley on the fuel consumption or electric power required for each pumping unit of water. Field experiments were conducted at Shalakan Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Kaliobiya Governorate, Egypt. Orchard (Citrus trees) is irrigated by four localized irrigation systems, namely: surface drip, mini-sprinkler, standard bubbler and low-head bubbler. The performance of these systems from the point of view of the consumed energy was compared with gated pipes irrigation system as a modified surface system of irrigation. The objectives of this study were to discuss the factors that affect energy requirements for irrigation pumps, to emphasize ways that localized irrigation systems can be designed and managed to minimize energy requirements for localized irrigation, to estimate the energy requirements for localized irrigation and to compare between the tested irrigation systems based on energy requirements. The results indicated that, the amount of water applied depends on crop, climate, irrigation system and management factors that are independent of the irrigation system such as irrigation duration. The energy required per cubic unit of water delivered depends on the irrigation system design, field site characteristics and irrigation time. Irrigation time affects strongly the fuel consumption, and consequently energy required. The surface drip irrigation system recorded the highest values of fuel consumption which were (615.49, 492.39 and 295.44 lit/fed) at 100%, 80% and 60% of potential evapotranspiration (ETP) respectively. As for gated pipes irrigation system, the yearly fuel consumption was the lowest compared with the other tested systems, was due to the high discharge of gates and consequently the low irrigation time. Therefore, localized irrigation systems requested particularly higher annual total irrigation costs to be applied in old lands.

Summary in Arabic.

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