Improvement of Water Use Productivity through the SRFR Model in Border Strip Irrigation of Wheat across Hamidiyeh Farms (Khuzestan, Iran)

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1 Improvement of Use Productivity troug te SRFR Model in Border Strip Irrigation of Weat across Hamidiye Farms (Kuzestan, Iran) Aras Tafte 1*, Moammad Reza Emdad 2 1-Assistant professor of Department of irrigation and soil pysics, Soil and Researc Institute, Agricultural Researc Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.*aras_tafte@yaoo.com 2- Assistant professor of Department of irrigation and soil pysics, Soil and Researc Institute, Agricultural Researc Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran. Abstract Scarcity of water resources makes teir management one of te most important callenges faced in arid and semiarid regions. use management and increased water use productivity are among te most significant management options for conserving water resources, especially in te agriculture sector. Tis study focused on water use productivity of tree fields in Hamidiye in Kuzestan Province, Iran. Information on te existing irrigation situation was collected and te SRFR model was ten calibrated during te first year of te study. Following tat, te model was used to simulate te design for te dimensions of te border strips, irrigation duration, and inflow rate, wile selecting te most suitable options. Since te root zone was 40 centers deep and te net irrigation water was 0 millimeters deep, it was found tat te most appropriate inflow rate, irrigation duration and strip lengt and widt for acieving te maximum water use of 0% were 18 l/s, 3- ours, and 180 and 10 meters, respectively. In te second year of te study, te findings obtained from te model were applied in te farms and te results were evaluated. It was observed tat te model suitably estimated water use in border strip irrigation and could be used in tis irrigation practice in farms. Moreover, management of border strip irrigation by te model increased water use productivity from 0.61 in te first year to 0.89 in te second year. Terefore, tis model was suggested to be used for increasing water use productivity and water use management in Kuzestan Province. Keywords: use productivity, border strip irrigation, SRFR model Introduction Since te agriculture sector is te major consumer of water in Iran, water use management in agriculture is a critical issue. Tere are two determining factors involved in water use management and improved water use productivity: 1) fertilization and yield increase, wic impose great costs on te farmers wo avoid using tem, 2) improvement in water use, wic can be easily controlled in te region. Extensive researc as been conducted on determining water use and water management, wic will be referred to in tis article. Surface irrigation is one of te oldest irrigation practices widely used in most regions of te world. Since plants use only te water stored in te root zone, water tat gets out of tis zone troug runoff or percolation is considered lost water.

2 use is defined as te ratio of water tat infiltrates into te root zone to te total dept of water entering te farm. In tis respect, Raine and McClymont [16] reported tat te ability of te irrigation system to uniformly distribute and apply water was an economically important factor in conserving te water resources. Moreover, te suitable design and management of irrigation could ensure water. Also climate warming increase water requirement and limited surface water resources [4]. sortage was reduced yield of plants, and plant sensitive is variable in eac period growt. Reducing yield reduces water productivity, so management of water in sensitive stage of plant growt is very important [21]. Te main problem wit surface irrigation practices is teir low, mainly resulting from poor irrigation management [8]. However, if correct irrigation management is applied and temporal and spatial canges are made in soil caracteristics, we can expect to acieve ig in surface irrigation []. Te irrigation researcers ave developed various models to determine te effects of plot or strip dimensions, and also of inflow rate and slope canges, on water use and on oter related components. SIRMOD and SRFR are among te common and recent practical models used to study te effects of strip dimensions (strip lengt and widt), inflow rate, slope and oter parameters related to water use in farms. Tis serves to introduce suitable irrigation management practices and upgrade water use [2-1-]. Using tese models, extensive researc as been conducted on optimizing te dimensions in surface irrigation to increase water use [ ]. Kanoni et al. [7] reported tat water use in corn fields ranged from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 70%, wile water use in sugar beet fields varied from about 30 to 80%. Mokari Garoodi et al. [11] used te SRFR model to simulate furrow irrigation noticing ow it was able to simulate volumetric water balance components wit good accuracy, yielding acceptable results for sort to relatively long furrows. Te maximum error in te model was about six% for surface runoff and minimum tree% for te inflow volume. Moridnejad et al.[13] carried out a study to increase water use in sugar cane fields using te SRFR model. Tey employed 10 different inflow rates into te furrows. Te results indicated tat te inflow rate of approximately 1. l/s was required for acieving use iger tan 70%. Tagizade et al. [23] evaluated te SRFR model based on zero inertia and kinematic wave, using field information. Te results revealed tat te model exibited maximum variations in relation to inflow rate, irrigation duration, and infiltration equation parameters. In a study on optimization of inflow rate and calibration of infiltration parameters, Valipour and Montazar [24] sowed tat te SFRF model was igly capable in optimizing and simulating te actual conditions, and could be used satisfactorily in simulating surface irrigation. In 2001, Montesionos et al.[12] used a genetic algoritm to optimize inflow rate and irrigation duration, indicating tat te two parameters were very important

3 from te tecnical and economic points of view. Cen et al. [2] used te SRFR model to optimize te dimensions of strips in border strip irrigation. Tey reported tat soil water storage of about 49 millimeters exibited te best performance and irrigation duration of 120 minutes was required for 200-meter long strips in soils wit semi eavy-textured soils. Tey proposed strips wit lengt of less tan 120 meters and widt of 3- meters, wic improved water use by up to 26%. In teir researc in 2014, Nie et al.[1] found tat te SRFR model performed a good simulation of field data and could be used successfully for water management in surface irrigation. Studies on strip dimensions, inflow rate, and irrigation duration, and of teir effects on water use, play an important role in water use management. Irrigation management is supposed to save water and also prevent agricultural soils from being wased away and damaged. Te low of surface irrigation often results from poor strip design and poor irrigation management and planning. Multivariable analysis as been recommended for surface irrigation management because it yields muc better results [19-9]. Terefore, it is necessary to study te contributing factors and recommend te most suitable scenario for irrigation in order to raise water use [27]. Review of previous researc indicated tat strip lengt and widt, inflow rate, and irrigation duration were among te most important factors contributing to water use [6-14]. Terefore, we studied te effects of canging strip dimensions, irrigation duration, and inflow rate on water use and on water use productivity in weat fields of Hamidiye (Kuzestan Province). Moreover, we suggested te most appropriate strip dimensions, inflow rate, and irrigation duration for acieving iger water use productivity and water use. Materials and metods In 2014 and 201, tree experimental fields were selected in Hamidiye (Ramse) in Kuzestan Province to study te current conditions concerning water use. Te tree selected pilots were located in te Karke sed 2 kilometers west of Avaz wit te gitude f t d titude f t N. Figure 1 displays te map of te selected fields. Fig.1. map of te selected fields Soil samples were taken from eac pilot to measure te pysical properties of te soils. Table 1 lists te means of a few pysical and cemical properties of te soils in te pilots. Field studies in te region sowed tat surface irrigation using strips 8 meters wide and 200 meters long was te common irrigation practice. Te slope of te lands in

4 te region was 2 meters per tousand meters. Given te transverse slope of te region and te leveling tat ad been carried out, te slope was not a limiting factor for plant growt. Land preparation was carried out by plowing and disking. Table1. Some soil properties in selected farms Dept cm Soil texture Volumetric Field capacity % Volumetric Permanent wilting point % pb gr/cm3 KS m/d EC ds/m ph 0-2 Clay Loam Clay Loam Clay Loam Te seeds were sown using a centrifugal broadcaster. Te Camran weat cultivar was planted from 6 to 11 November, 2014 and 201. Te root zone at te end of seed formation stage (mid-marc) was about 40 centers deep []. Taking into consideration te root zone dept and pysical properties of te soil in te region, te net water dept eac irrigation was determined using Equation 1: ( ) In te above equation, d n is te net irrigation need (mm), FC is te field capacity of eac layer in te soil (%), PWP is te permanent wilting point for eac layer (%), D is te dept of eac layer (mm), and index i is te layer number. Te soil permeability in te tree selected pilots was measured troug tree replications (nine 1 permeability measurements) using doublering. Considering te mean values of te measurements made in te tree pilots, te soil permeability equation (te mean of te tree selected pilots) indicated tat te average permeability equation follows Equation 2: Were, Z represents te cumulative infiltration (mm), t is te contact between water and soil (), te empirical parameters of te equation are represented by a and k, and f 0 stands for te final infiltration rate of te soil (mm/). Te infiltration conditions for te SRFR model can be acceptably defined using tis equation. As recommended by Strelkoff and Clemmens [20], te modified Kostiakov- Lewis metod was employed for tis purpose. Te average final infiltration rate in te pilots was 4 mm/, wile te empirical 2

5 parameters of te equation were determined to be 0.1 for a, and for k. Te eavy texture of te soils and te ig soil bulk density (1.1 g/cm 3 ) reduced soil infiltration rate wile decreasing cumulative infiltration. Te average canges in te rate of water advancement troug te soil in te studied pilots ave been displayed in Figure 2. and inflow rates for te strips in te region were te studied. At te next stage, te most suitable, practical and applicable scenario was recommended wit respect to strip lengt and widt, inflow rate, and irrigation duration needed for increasing water use. Te scenario was finally implemented in te second year and te results were evaluated. At te end of eac crop year, te weat in eac strip was arvested and te yield and volume of water used for eac strip were used to determine water use productivity troug Equation 3: 3 Fig.2. Rate of water advancement in te studied farms Te results indicated tat te irrigation water was of suitable quality wit respect to salinity (its average salinity was 1.9 ds/m) and, terefore, it was not a limiting factor for plant growt. Information related to irrigation management in te pilots included te number, te dates, and durations of irrigations. use was determined for eac of te tree irrigations in every pilot. After studying and gaining a complete understanding of te pilots, te SRFR model was calibrated for te current conditions. Ten, te important design parameters including strip lengt and widt In te above equation, WP is water use productivity (kg/m 3 ), Y d is weat grain yield (kg), and V g is te volume of irrigation water flowing into te field (m 3 ). Results and discussion Considering te canges in inflow rate and irrigation dept, Table 2 displays te range of canges in water use in te selected pilots. As sown in tis figure, water use in te selected pilots varied from 27 to 32% in te first year, suggesting tat most of te applied water discarged from te root zone (40 cm deep) troug percolation.

6 Table 2. Te range of canges in water use in te selected pilots in first year. Replication Flow (l/s) Dept of water (mm) Net dept of water ( mm) Measured applied (%) Simulated applied (%) Error (%) productivity (Kg/m 3 ) Farm Farm Farm Calibration revealed tat te model yielded a suitable estimate of under te current conditions (wit an error of 7-11%, 9% on average). It could be used to simulate water use by taking into account canges in strip dimensions and inflow rate. Te initial information including strip dimensions, inflow rate into te strips, irrigation duration, slope, and information related to infiltration, wic are te most important parameters in surface irrigation [6], was used to implement te SFRF model for various conditions. Tese parameters matced te existing conditions in te region and could be used in te farms. Strips meters long and 8-12 meters wide, inflow rates of 1- l/s, and various irrigation durations were tested in te SRFR4.1.3 model to determine te effects of canges in tese parameters on water use. Te multivariate analysis is recommended for managing surface irrigation and for determining water use because its results will be far more desirable [9]. Table 3 lists te results obtained for te slope of 0.2%. Moreover, strip widt of 8 meters was selected (wic is te minimum widt allowing combines to enter te strip).

7 Table 3.applied water for te slope of 0.2%, strip widt of 8 meters Dimension lengt m widts m Net dept of water d n mm Flow l/s Te inflow rate into te strips was defined witin te 1- l/s range. Te results indicated tat strip lengt of meters exibited iger use tan oter ranges. Moreover, water use in strips 180 meters long (and 8 meters wide) at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s, slope of 0.2%, and mean irrigation duration of 3- ours varied from 34 to 38%. Furtermore, in strips 200 meters long and te same widt, te mean water use was about 43% if inflow rate of 1-18 l/s was applied. Table 4 evaluates and compares various strip lengts (10-20 meters) wit constant widt of 10 meters and inflow rate of 1- l/s (at slope of 0.2% and net irrigation dept of 0 mm). Te results of implementing te SRFR model sowed tat te mean water use was about 43% at strip lengt and widt of 180 and 10 meters if inflow rates of 1-18 l/s were applied, respectively.

8 Table 4.applied water for te slope of 0.2%, strip widt of 10 meters Dimension Net dept of water Flow l/s Under tese conditions, te most suitable water use in te field (about 46%) was obtained wit strips 180 meters long and 10 meters wide at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s and irrigation duration of about 3- ours. It sould be noted tat if, under te mentioned conditions, strip lengt of 200 meters was used, te mean water use at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s would be about 41%. In oter words, water use declined as strip lengt increased. Moreover, tis paper explored various strip lengts of 10 to 20 meters at te constant strip widt of 8 meters and inflow rate of 1- l/s, slope of 0.2%, and net irrigation dept of 0 mm (Table ).

9 water use eficency(%) Table.applied water for te slope of 0.2%, strip widt of 10 meters Dimension Net dept of water 18 Flow l/s Te results of implementing te SRFR model indicated tat water use rate in te field (44%) was acieved at strip lengt and widt of 180 and 12 meters, respectively, at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s. If strip lengt increased to 200 meters (at strip widt of 12 meters), te mean use at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s decreased to 41% as irrigation duration extended. As can be seen, te average water use in strips 180 meters long and 8 meter wide at inflow rate of 1-18 l/s, irrigation duration of -4 ours, and net irrigation dept of 70 mm was about 46% in te two studied slopes. Tese results were consistent wit tose obtained by Raguwansi [17] wo adopted te SRFR model, reporting a border strip irrigation of up to 0%. Te results of te present researc indicated tat te igest use was obtained at strip lengt of 180 meters. Tis revealed te mean canges in use at tat lengt and at tree different strip widts (Figure 3) inflow (l/s) 20 Fig.3. Canges in applied water use at tree different strip widts widt 8m widt 10 m widt 12 m

10 It was found tat 10 meters was te best strip widt and inflow rate of 1-18 l/s did not lead to any remarkable reduction in water use wen tere were strips 10 and 12 meters long. However, at strip widt of 8 meters, te slope of decline in water use was steeper tan canges in inflow rate, and te inflow rate of 1 l/s was recommended for tis strip widt. Moreover, tere were severe reductions in at all tree strip widts and inflow rates iger tan 19 l/s. Terefore, inflow rate of iger tan 19 l/s into eac strip was not recommended. Te results obtained from te tree experimental fields during te first year were used in te second year, based on recommendations of te SFRF model, on strips 180 meters long and 10 meters wide. All te measured parameters in te second year were also studied (Table 6). Table 6. Te range of canges in water use in te selected pilots in second year. Replication Flow (l/s) Dept of water (mm) Net dept of water ( mm) Measured applied (%) Simulated applied (%) Error (%) productivity (Kg/m 3 ) Farm Farm Farm Te results of evaluation indicated tat te new model was able to make good estimates of border strip irrigation conditions wit an error margin of 6-1%. Te water use productivity improved from 0.6 to 0.9 kg/a on average troug applying te proposed management model (table 7). Since fertilization conditions were te same in bot years, te results of statistical analysis sowed tat tere were no significant differences between te yields of te two years. Terefore, te only factor increasing water use productivity, as was sown by using te SRFR model, was te modification in strip dimensions and inflow rate.

11 Table 7. Statistical analysis of seed yield of weat in two years Farm First year yeild second year yeild b a a Mean 3281A 3100A Conclusions 3240a 3420a 3263a Considering te excessive financial costs of using plant nutrient packages, te best way for farmers to manage water in fields is to reduce te application of plant nutrient in surface irrigation. Te present researc sowed tat reducing strip lengt from 200 to 180 meters te water use from to 4% (more tan two-fold). Terefore, it is recommended tat strips 180 meters long and 10 meters wide, inflow rate of 1-18 l/s, and irrigation duration of 3- ours be used in border strip irrigation to improve water use to about 4%. Moreover, te SRFR proved to be a igly desirable model for managing water use in agricultural lands, capable of simulating water management in te fields. As a significant acievement in farm water management, water use productivity improved by 0% troug applying water use management in surface irrigation. References [1] Bautista, E., Sclegel, J.L., and Strelkoff, T.S.(2012). WinSRFR User Manual. USDA-ARS Arid Land Agricultural Researc Center N. Cardon Lane, Maricopa, AZ, USA. [2] Cen, B., Zu, O., and Zigang, S., Lanfang W., and Fadong, L.(2012). Evaluation on te potential of improving border irrigation performance troug border dimensions optimization: a case study on te irrigation districts along te lower Yellow River. Irrig Sci., 31, [3] Eldeiry, A., Garcia, L., Ei-Zaer, A.S.A. and El-Serbini Kiwan, M.( 200). Furrow Irrigation System Design for Clay Soils in Arid Regions. Appl. Eng. Agric., 21(3), [4] Fu, A., Cen, Y., Li, W., Zang, S., Wang, R., and Li, D.(2017). Effects of climate warming on surface water availability and water demand for oases in arid regions of nortwest cina. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin., 26(), [] Gatta G.; Giuliani M.M.; Monteleone M.; Nardella E.; De Caro A. (2007). Deficit irrigation sceduling in processing tomato. saving in Mediterranean agriculture and future researc needs.,1, [6] Gillies, M. H., Smit, R. J. and Raine, S. R Measurement and Management of Furrow Irrigation at te Field Scale.Irrigation Australia 2008-Sare te,sare te Benefits: Irrigation Australia National Conference and Exibition, Melbourne, Australia. [7] Kanoni, A., Karimi, M., Esmaeli, V., and Taginejad, J. (200). Evaluation of furrow Irrigation efficency under different management in region of Mogan. Final report of te Institute of Tecnical and Engineering Researc.3,P.,(In Persian wit Englis Abstract). [8] Katri, K.L. and Smit, R.J., (2006). Real prediction of soil infiltration caracteristics for management of furrow irrigation. Irrigation Science, 2(1), [9] Ma, J. J., Sun, X. H., Guo, X. H. and Li, Y. F. (2010). Multi-objective Fuzzy Optimization Model for Border Irrigation Tecnical Parameters. J. Drain. Irrig. Mac. Eng., 28(2), [10] Mailol, J. C., Ruelle, P., and Popova, Z.( ). Simu ti f furr w irrig ti practices _SOFIP_: A field-scale modelling

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