EFFECT OF NETWORK WATER DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE AND DIFFERENT ON-FARM WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON SUGARBEET WATER USE EFFICIENCY - CASE STUDY: MAHABAD, I.R. IRAN

摘要

Application of different irrigation management practices plays a considerable role in waterrnsaving to achieve potential yields. On the other hand, network water distribution schedule is arngoverning factor in this regard. In current study conducted in Mahabad plain in North West ofrnIran, four different irrigation managements on sugarbeet cultivation including traditionalrnfarmer's management, Furrow Deepening, Reduced Discharge per Deepened Furrow, andrnAlternate Furrow Irrigation have been studied in real farmers' fields measuring 10.2 hectares.rnParticipatory management approach has been used while working in farmers fields. Soilsrntextures are silty clayey. Results of studies indicate that water used has been reducedrnconsiderably while higher root and sugar yields are obtained due to better on-farm waterrnmanagement practices. Water Use Efficiency, in kg of yield per m~3 of water used, increasedrnconsiderably under alternate furrow irrigation management in comparison to what obtainedrnunder traditional management. Results show application of alternate furrow irrigation inrnsugarbeet cultivation not only resulted in lesser water use per hectare, but also it increased bothrnroot and sugar yields and, consequently, higher water use efficiency was obtained. Assessmentsrnhave been made on irrigation schedule imposed by the irrigation network and its effects on actualrnwater requirements. Results show that the delivery schedule practiced in the network inrnincapable of delivering the actual amount of water requirement for the dominant crop of thernscheme. Suggestions are made to the network operator to improve overall network efficiencyrnincluding revisions on water resources planning and allocation and/or improve network operationrnsystem.