Original Article
Irrigation network management
Fariborz Abbasi; M. Akbari; Abolfazl Nasseri; Nader Abbassi; J. Baghani; M. Joleini; Mohammad Ali Shahrokhnia; Mohammad Mehdi Nakhjavanimoghaddam; Saloome Sepehri Sadeghian; M. Moayeri; A.R. Hassanoghli; Abolghasem Haghayeghi; Ali Ghadami Firouzabadi; syeed Hassan mousavifazl; M.R. Yazdani
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionIn terms of water consumption in different sectors, in Iran as in other countries, a significant part of surface and groundwater resources is used in agricultural sector. For the amount of water consumed in Iran's agricultural sector, different numbers have been reported ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionIn terms of water consumption in different sectors, in Iran as in other countries, a significant part of surface and groundwater resources is used in agricultural sector. For the amount of water consumed in Iran's agricultural sector, different numbers have been reported in various sources. In the past three decades, water consumption in agricultural sector in various sources and methods has been reported between 44 and 86 billion cubic meters (Movaheddanesh, 1994; Ghodratnema, 1998; Mohammad-Vali-Samani, 2005; Nasseri et al., 2017; 2018). The physical water productivity is also one of the important indicators of irrigation management, which is determined by using the amount of product produced per unit of applied irrigation water. Abbasi et al. (2017) estimated and analyzed water productivity values in Iran for different years. They estimated the values of water productivity varying from 0.94 to 1.29 kg/m3 and average being 1.07 kg/m3. Abbasi et al. (2019) also showed that water productivity index in Iran had an upward trend with a slope of 0.045 kg per year. It varied from 1.0 kg/m3 in 2008 to about 1.45 kg/m3 in 2017. Past researches regarding the estimation of water consumption in agricultural sector have been reported with estimation methods such as water balance method, which is not accurate and is associated with errors. On the other hand, the figures presented for the amount of water consumed in agricultural sector are very different and there are doubts about their accuracy. Despite the importance of the issue, accurate information on the amount of irrigation water for agricultural crops in different regions of Iran is not available and this issue has always been one of the main concerns of the water industry managers and planners. Therefore, carrying out a research work that lead to more accurate numbers about the amount of applied irrigation water for different crops, can be of great help to the decision-making of officials related to water and agriculture. Therefore, the main goal of this article is a comprehensive evaluation of water management indicators in agricultural sector (including the water productivity and applied irrigation water for different crops).MethodologyField measurements including applied irrigation water and crop yield were carried out for at least one cropping season in the production hubs of each crop. The studied crops include 12 agricultural crops (wheat, rice, barley, fodder corn, alfalfa, sugar beet, sugar cane, beans, sunflower, cotton, rapeseed, soybean), 17 garden crops (saffron, apple, olive, orange, tangerine, peach, nectarine, plum, lemon, fig, grape, date, pomegranate, walnut, almond, pistachio, cherry) and 6 vegetable and summer crops (tomato, watermelon, potato, cucumber, melon, onion). These crops covered more than 85% of the cultivated area and irrigated lands in different provinces. For each crop, applied irrigation water was measured in a crop season and the yield for one year or the average of two years, but for garden plants, due to climate changes and frost that affect the yield, the average yield of 1-3 years was determined and used in the analysis. Physical water productivity of irrigation water from the ratio of crop yield to applied irrigation water and water productivity from the ratio of crop yield to water (total volume of irrigation water and effective precipitation) and gross income per unit of applied irrigation water was calculated from the product of crop yield in the sales price divided by the applied irrigation water. In this research, the cluster analysis model was used to determine the homogeneous crops.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that applied irrigation water for different crops varies from 3984 for rapeseed to 32500 cubic meters per hectare for sugarcane. So that the weighted average applied irrigation water of 35 studied crops was determined to be 8032 cubic meters per hectare.This index was 9162, 7669 and 7247 cubic meters per hectare, respectively, for garden, agricultural, vegetable and summer crops. Also, the total applied water used for the 35 studied crops was estimated at 61.7 billion cubic meters and the total irrigation water for other crops that were not evaluated in this research was estimated at 9.4 billion cubic meters. The total water used in irrigated crops is estimated at 71.1 billion cubic meters, which is about 70% of the total renewable water in Iran. The weighted average of irrigation water productivity and water productivity of the studied crops was determined as 1.9 and 1.5 kg/m3, respectively. Saffron and pistachio provided the highest gross income per unit of irrigation water and sugarcane, soybean, barley, fodder corn, wheat and alfalfa had the lowest values.ConclusionsThe results of this research provide valuable information for managers and decision makers in different provinces of Iran.
Original Article
Irrigation network management
Amir Eslami; Abdolrasool Shirvanian; Reza Zareian
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The sharp drop in the water level of the underground aquifers in the plains shows the lack of a suitable approach to create synergy between all the stakeholders in the water sector in the management of water resources. On the other hand, the undeniable ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
The sharp drop in the water level of the underground aquifers in the plains shows the lack of a suitable approach to create synergy between all the stakeholders in the water sector in the management of water resources. On the other hand, the undeniable limitation of water resources has led to the adoption of integrated water resources management as a requirement. In this regard, in an agricultural plain, there should be a matching of underground water resources with programmable water in order to reduce the severity of the created crisis and help to balance the plain over time. Therefore, avoiding acreage expanding in the agricultural sector and increasing water productivity should be on the agenda of decision makers, especially in the planning of cropping patterns.
Material and Method
This research has been carried out with the aim of improving the cultivation pattern in improving the physical and economic productivity of water in the Qaderabad-Madarsolaman plain of Fars province. The required data of the products include crop calendar, price at the time of harvest, production cost, yield, monthly programmable amount of plain water and monthly irrigation water amount of each crop related to crop year 2021-2022, which is in the form of documents from Jihad- Agriculture Organization. and the Regional Water Company of Fars province was collected. Data analysis was done by mathematical programming method using GAMS software.
Results
The results showed that after implementing the model and determining the optimal cultivation pattern, the number of agricultural products in the plain increased by 50%. So that the number of products reached 18 products from 12 products. Also, the area under cultivation of crops in the optimal cultivation pattern decreased by 27% and reached 3861 ha from 5303 ha. Meanwhile, the amount of irrigation water of the optimal pattern caused a 26% reduction in the consumption of underground water resources. In addition, the amount of crop production in the current and optimal model was 8,469,3000 and 6,947,060 kg, respectively, and the decrease in the cultivated area has caused an 18% decrease in this index in the optimized model. However, the economic efficiency of the entire plain in the current and optimal model was calculated as 1975.37 and 2035.60 billion rials, respectively, which indicates a three percent increase in the optimal model. With regard to the direct effects of the modification of the cultivation pattern of the Qaderabad-Madarsolaman plain, including the increase in the number of agricultural products of the plain and the introduction of six crops with the highest economic water productivity into the optimal cultivation pattern, as well as the reduction of the area under cultivation of crops in the optimal cultivation pattern, and the increase of the economic efficiency of the entire plain in this pattern, it is expected that the index of physical productivity and economic productivity of the whole plain will also change. So, the physical water productivity index of the whole plain in the current and optimal model was obtained as 2.56 and 2.84 kg/m3, respectively. In the same way, the water economic productivity index of the whole plain was calculated as 59,607 and 83,086 rials per cubic meter, respectively.
Conclusions
The modification of the cultivation pattern in the Qaderabad-Madarsolaman plain resulted in the annual saving of 8.64 million cubic meters of water, an 11% increase in physical productivity, and a 39.4% increase in the economic productivity of water. Based on this, focusing on the water productivity index in the form of improving physical and economic productivity can be followed as a suitable approach to create synergy between all stakeholders and beneficiaries of the water sector in the management of water resources in the agricultural sector. In this approach, by focusing on increasing water productivity, in a defined time period, while minimizing the amount of production reduction, and by increasing the livelihood level of the users, it is possible to reduce the agricultural water consumption in the plains to the amount of programmable water.
Original Article
Pressurized Irrigation Systems
mohammad Joleini; Abolghasem Haghayeghi; Mohammad Mehdi Nakhjavanimoghaddam
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Razavi Khorasan province is one of Khorasan provinces in northeastern Iran, the center of this province is Mashhad. The area of this province is 118854 square kilometers. Due to having high evaporation potential and low rainfall, which is mostly associated with inappropriate ...
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Extended Abstract
Introduction
Razavi Khorasan province is one of Khorasan provinces in northeastern Iran, the center of this province is Mashhad. The area of this province is 118854 square kilometers. Due to having high evaporation potential and low rainfall, which is mostly associated with inappropriate distribution, this region is among the dry and semi-arid regions of our country, so that water is considered the most important factor limiting the growth and development of agriculture. Nowadays, limitations in water resources has made it necessary to create ways to increase water productivity. This is a proof of the importance of careful planning and finding the use of different irrigation methods to increase the water productivity of agricultural activities. By examining the sources, it was found that the volume of water used in the cotton crop varies in different regions and with different irrigation systems. This research aims to measure the volume of applied water, the yield and productivity of cotton under the management of farmers in Razavi Khorasan province (Bardaskan, Nyshabor, Sabzevar, Khaf, Roshtkhar and Sarakhs cities) and compare the amount of applied water with the water requirement of cotton in these six plains (city) with the national document and It was also calculated by Penman-Monteith method with meteorological data.
Methodology
This project was carried out in the field in order to determine the useful water of cotton in the fields under the management of farmers during one cropping season (2018). Six cities of Bardaskan, Nyshabor, Sabzevar, Khaf, Roshtkhar and Sarakhs were selected in Razavi Khorasan province, which have the largest area under cotton cultivation. At first, based on the data required by the project, a questionnaire containing necessary information for investigation and logical conclusion was prepared. The required data of the selected farms in each city were either measured or through face-to-face interviews with the farmer or were calculated and completed according to the data of the previous two stages. The measurements were carried out in type of water source, irrigation network and method and water source discharge, total level The field and area under cultivation of cotton crop, variety, planting arrangement, planting date, soil texture, electrical conductivity of irrigation water and soil saturation extract, date of first irrigation, irrigation cycle and different irrigation methods, etc. The Measured Applied water were compared with the net irrigation water requirement estimated by the Penman-Monteith method using the last 10 years meteorological data (2009 to 2018) and also with the national water document values. Crop yield was recorded at the end of the growing season and water productivity was calculated as the ratio of yield to total water (irrigation applied water and effective rainfall).
Results and Discussion
The results showed that the volume of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity in Bardaskan region were 7369 m3/ha, 4583 kg/ha and 0.638 kg/m3, respectively. The amount of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity in Nysahabor region were determined as 9773 m3/ha, 3554 kg/ha and 0.528 kg/m3, respectively. The amount of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity in Sabzevar region were 9173 m3/ha, 3033 kg/ha and 0.225 kg/m3, respectively. In Khaf region the amount of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity were 14791 m3/ha, 2821 kg/ha and 0.194 kg/m3, respectively. The amount of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity in Roshtkhar region were 11281 m3/ha, 3466 kg/ha and 0.327 kg/m3, respectively, The amount of applied water, the amount of Cotton yield and the water productivity in Sarakhs region were determined as 9004 m3/ha, 2113 kg/ha and 0.265 kg/m3, respectively. The average amount of applied water, the amount of cotton yield and the water productivity in above six regions were 9830 m3/ha, 3078 kg/ha and 0.357 kg/m3, respectively. Also, the average volume of irrigation water, yield and productivity of water in the surface irrigation method were 10175 m3/ha, 2892 kg/ha and 0.318 kg/m3 respectively, and in the drip irrigation method 7242 m3/ha 4470 kg/ha and 0.649 kg/m3 were obtained.
Conclusions
In Razavi Khorasan province, underground water sources are facing a reservoir deficit. Therefore, efforts towards better use of extracted water and reducing exploitation of underground water resources are inevitable. In this project, the water given by the farmers for cotton production during one cropping season was measured in the six plains of Bardaskan, Nyshabor, Sabzevar, Khaf, Roshtkhar and Sarakhs cities, without interfering farmer’s irrigation schedule ; these plains had the largest area under cotton cultivation in Razavi Khorasan province. The method of irrigation of the fields was surface and drip irrigation (tape). The results showed that the average volume of water, yield and water productivity in these planes were 9830 cubic meters per hectare, 3078 kg per hectare and 0.357 kg per cubic meter of water, respectively. The difference between the volume of applied water, performance and water efficiency in two methods of surface and drip irrigation was significant. Under the drip irrigation system, comparing surface irrigation method, the volume of applied water was 30% less (7242 cubic meters per hectare versus 10175 cubic meters per hectare), the yield was 55% higher (4470 kg/hectare versus 2892 kg/hectare) and the water productivity was about 104% higher (0.649 kg/cubic meter of water vs. 0/318 kg/cubic meter of water.
Original Article
Irrigation network management
Mohammad Karimi; Saloome Sepehri Sadeghian; Mohammad Jolaini
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionDue to the limitation of water resources in the production of agricultural products in the country and the need to improve water productivity in the production of horticultural products on the one hand and the economic importance of plum production in the country on the other ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionDue to the limitation of water resources in the production of agricultural products in the country and the need to improve water productivity in the production of horticultural products on the one hand and the economic importance of plum production in the country on the other hand, the investigation of management indicators such as the volume of irrigation water, yield and irrigation water productivity is necessary in the production of plums in the country. Plums are one of the most important orchard products, and the livelihood of a large number of farmers in different regions of the country, including Khorasan-Razavi province, depends on this product. Therefore, the current project was carried out with the aim of direct and field measurement of the water content of plum varieties in orchards under the management of local farmers in the producing regions of this product in the province. According to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad (Statistical Yearbook of the Department of Agriculture of Khorasan Razavi Province in 2022), the area under plum cultivation in Mashhad and Chenaran regions is 328 and 75 hectares, respectively, and the yield per unit area in those two mentioned regions is 3905 and 6028 kg/ha, respectively.
MethodologyIn Khorasan Razavi province, two regions with highest area under plum cultivation were selected for evaluation, Chenaran and Mashhad. To conduct this research, 10 orchards in Chenaran region and 10 orchards in Mashhad region have been selected. The volume of irrigation water was measured in these 20 orchards during the irrigation season. The measurements were carried out in different irrigation and planting methods, various soils, different salinity of irrigation water and soil, and different plum varieties during the growing season of 2021-2022 without interfering with the farmer's irrigation management. The measured values were compared with the gross irrigation water requirement estimated by the Penman-Monteith method using the last 10 years meteorological data and also with the national water document values. Plum yield was recorded at the end of the growing seaso nand water productivity was calculated as the ratio of yield to total water (irrigation applied water and effective rainfall).
Results and DiscussionThe results showed that the amount of applied water, the amount of plum yield and the water productivity in Chenaran region were 10899 m3/ha, 21.73 ton/ha and 1.9 kg/m3, respectively. The volume of applied water, the amount of plum yield, and water productivity in Mashhad region were determined as 10229 m3/ha, 13.11 ton/ha and 1.42 kg/m3, respectively. The volume of plum irrigation water in the regions varied from 4999 to 16862 and its weighted average (based on the cultivation area) was 10256 m3/ha. While the average gross requirement of irrigation water in the regions using the Penman-Monteith method using meteorological data of the last ten years and the national water document was 14964 and 12173 m3/ha, respectively. The average yield of plum in the selected orchards varied from 5560 kg/ha to 89800 kg/ha and the average was 14713 kg/ha. Irrigation water productivity in selected orchards varied from 0.4 to 7.09 and the average was 1.53 kg/m3. The applied water productivity in the selected orchards was 1.51 kg/m3.
ConclusionsAccording to the results of this research in Chenaran and Mashhad, the weighted average volume of irrigation water and the irrigation water productivity in plum orchards are 10256 m3/ha and 1.53 kg/m3, respectively. The volume of irrigation water to produce plum in these two regions was about 31% more than that in country and the irrigation water productivity was about 32.6% less than that in country. The volume of irrigation water, yield and irrigation water productivity in plum orchards in drip irrigation method were 9920 m3/ha, 18827 kg/ha and 1.88 kg/m3, respectively, and in surface irrigation method they were 11433 m3/ha, 14804 kg/ha and 1.31 kg/m3 respectively. The yield of plum and the irrigation water productivity in drip irrigation method, compared to the surface irrigation method, increased by 27 and 43%, respectively, and water consumption decreased by 13%. Comparing the volume of irrigation water used by farmers in the plum orchards with the gross irrigation requirement, shows that the farmers have no enough water for irrigation and unintentionally, they follow deficit irrigation in the plum orchards, and in fact, the farmers use water available for them. The average yield of plums with drip irrigation method was equal to 18.83 ton/ha, which is about 65.75% higher than the average yield of plums in the country. Based on this, plum cultivation in both regions and also the use of drip irrigation method in plum orchards cab is recommended.
Original Article
Irrigation network management
Karamat Akhavan; Milad Kheiry Goje biglo; Majid Mardpour; Farhoud Kalateh
Abstract
Extended AbstractIntroductionThe performance of geomembrane liners depends on proper design, installation, and maintenance. Geomembranes exhibit thermoplastic behavior, expanding and contracting significantly with temperature changes. This can lead to issues like wrinkling and uplift, which can compromise ...
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Extended AbstractIntroductionThe performance of geomembrane liners depends on proper design, installation, and maintenance. Geomembranes exhibit thermoplastic behavior, expanding and contracting significantly with temperature changes. This can lead to issues like wrinkling and uplift, which can compromise the liner's seepage control function. Proper maintenance is also essential, as geomembranes are sensitive to mechanical damage that can greatly reduce their effectiveness.In Iran, geomembrane lining of irrigation canals has been implemented in several projects, including the Moghan Irrigation Network. However, comprehensive studies on the performance and durability of these liners are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of geomembrane liners in controlling seepage from Pumping channel No. 3 of Moghan, and identify any issues related to their design, installation and operation. The results can help guide the rational expansion and optimal utilization of geomembrane lining for improving agricultural water productivity in Iran.Literature ReviewGeomembranes exhibit thermoplastic behavior, expanding and contracting significantly with temperature changes. Geomembranes layers have a high coefficient of thermal expansion, causing wrinkling or waves in parts of the liner when heated. Proper temperature is critical for seam welding to avoid inadequate bonding and uplift of the geomembrane on slopes. Long-term wrinkles can also become failure points. Proper maintenance is essential for the sustainable operation of geomembrane projects, especially for exposed liners. Preventing mechanical damage (intentional and accidental) is crucial for the liner's durability and effectiveness. Geomembranes are sensitive to intentional damage (cutting, burning, abrasion, impact, etc.) which can greatly reduce the liner's seepage control capacity.MethodologyThe Moghan irrigation network, particularly Pumping Channel No. 3, has been a focal point for evaluating hydraulic performance, seepage control, and durability in irrigation systems. This channel, which spans 28 kilometers, is crucial for drawing water from the irrigation network and has a capacity of 2.3 cubic meters per second, serving approximately 3,500 hectares of agricultural and industrial land. Research conducted on this channel has employed the inflow-outflow method to measure average seepage rates, which were found to be around 46.86 liters per day per square meter. This rate is considered moderate compared to other geosynthetic-lined channels, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance and monitoring to manage water loss effectively.Field inspections have revealed significant deterioration in the channel's walls and floor, leading to operational challenges. In 1999, significant repairs were made to three critical sections of the canal, covering 8 kilometers in total. However, these repairs proved insufficient, as severe damage reoccurred within two years of service. This situation emphasizes the necessity for robust construction practices and the potential benefits of using advanced materials, such as geomembranes, to enhance the durability and performance of irrigation channels. The research indicates that while immediate repairs can address some issues, long-term solutions are essential for maintaining the integrity of the irrigation infrastructure.Overall, the evaluation of Pumping Channel No. 3 illustrates the complexities and challenges faced in managing irrigation systems, particularly regarding hydraulic efficiency and seepage control. The findings suggest that integrating geosynthetic materials could significantly improve the channel's performance and longevity, thereby optimizing water resource management in the Moghan region. Continuous assessment and adaptation of maintenance strategies will be crucial in ensuring that the irrigation network meets the agricultural demands of the area effectively.Results and DiscussionThe average seepage rate along the canal reaches was 0.4686 liters per square meter per day. No sedimentation or damage was observed during field inspections. The results demonstrate the acceptable short-term effectiveness of well-installed geomembrane liners in controlling water losses. Properly designed and maintained geomembrane liners can significantly reduce seepage, improving agricultural water productivity. However, geomembranes require careful consideration in design, construction and operation to avoid issues like thermal wrinkling and mechanical damage that can compromise their seepage control function.ConclusionControlling seepage from water storage and conveyance systems is essential in water-scarce countries like Iran. Geosynthetic liners, especially geomembranes, are rapidly expanding in Iran due to their unique waterproofing capabilities and other advantages like quick and easy installation. However, comprehensive studies on the performance of these liners are lacking. Rational expansion, proper utilization and optimal investment requires comprehensive evaluation of completed projects. This study's results indicate the acceptable short-term effectiveness of well-installed geomembrane liners in controlling water losses. Therefore, geomembrane liners can contribute to improving agricultural water productivity by significantly reducing seepage, if they meet waterproofing requirements. However, long-term performance and durability require further investigation.
technical paper
Irrigation network management
Bahman Yargholi; Farshid Taran
Abstract
Due to the scarcity of water resources and ever-increasing demand for it, treated wastewater, if meeting agricultural standards, can serve as an alternative or supplementary water source for achieving sustainable agriculture. In this study, considering the water shortage problem and the presence of arable ...
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Due to the scarcity of water resources and ever-increasing demand for it, treated wastewater, if meeting agricultural standards, can serve as an alternative or supplementary water source for achieving sustainable agriculture. In this study, considering the water shortage problem and the presence of arable lands in the province of Qazvin, especially in the Buin Zahra region, the potential of using the effluent of Qazvin’s sewage treatment plant in Buin Zahra’s irrigation and drainage network was investigated. In the first phase, the environmental status of the Buin Zahra region was studied, and subsequently, for one year (2019-2020), monthly samples were taken from the raw wastewater inflow and the treated effluent. Physical, chemical, and microbial analyses of these samples were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the Qazvin sewage treatment plant. Based on the area's cropping pattern and the quality requirements of agricultural products, a plan for the development of the irrigation and drainage network was devised, considering the quantity and quality of the produced effluent. The evaluations included gravitational transfer, significant aquifer depletion, soil characteristics, and the area's cropping pattern. Taking these factors and the social acceptance of the plan into account, the network development was proposed using 20.8 million m3 of effluent annually, covering 2000 ha of Buin Zahra's lands, and the appropriate cropping pattern and irrigation system were determined. Finally, given the importance of health and environmental issues, a comprehensive program for monitoring the quality of various components of the plan, including effluent, soil, agricultural products, and project workers, was prepared and presented to ensure the sustainable and safe use of this resource.
