Impact of Different Surface Irrigation Techniques on Cotton Productivity and Water Saving

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during two successive summer seasons of (2013/2014) at Al-Amrya area (Al-Nhada region) in Sanad1 village representing a new reclaimed land to assessment impacts of traditional, alternative and surge alternative furrow irrigation techniques, on cotton yield and yield components, water saving and crop water productivity in sandy clay loam soil. Application efficiency (Ea), distribution uniformity (DU) water infiltrated depth (Finf.) as well as advance and recession times (Tadv. and Trec.) were taken in consideration. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design in three replicates. Irrigation treatments involved: conventional furrow irrigation (EFI), alternative furrow irrigation (AFI) and surge alternative furrow irrigation (SAFI) incorporated in three different cycle times and cycle ratios. Obtained results indicated that, shifting irrigation practice from conventional irrigation (EFI) to AFI and SA(10/10), decreased water consumptive use (WCU) by about 21.93 and 36.37 %, respectively. Both of water application efficiencies (Ea) and distribution uniformities (DU) values were improved under AFI and SA(10/10) treatments. Highest average values of (Ea) and (DU) were 84.95 % and 0.8532 obtained with SA(10/10), as compared to (EFI) treatment. Shifting irrigation practice from conventional furrow irrigation (EFI) to alternate furrow (AFI) increased seed cotton yield and lint yield by about 11.91 and 12.52 %, respectively, and saved irrigation water by about 15.20 % as compared to EFI treatment. Maximum seed cotton yield, seed yield and lint yield of 1746.73, 1125.82 and 610.12 (kg/fed), respectively were obtained under SA(10/10) treatment, followed by SA(10/15) by about 1041.54 and 546.92 (kg/fed), which saved irrigation water by about 25.00 and 21.57 %, respectively. Average water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) values were significantly affected by different irrigation treatments. Maximum average WUE and IWUE values of 0.758 and 0.477 (kg/m 3 ) were recorded with SA(10/10) treatment. It could be concluded that, in case of lack of irrigation water, surge alternative and alternative furrow irrigation methods are mainly preferred under the conditions of the study area.