CH 1
CH 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introduction
Contents:
Purpose and objective Water and energy conservation Soil conservation, water quality, and pollution abatement Using the guide
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(a) Using irrigation procedures ......................................................................... 13 (b) Using worksheets .......................................................................................... 13 652.0104 Irrigation guide outline 14 (a) General ........................................................................................................... 14 (b) Soil-water-plant data .................................................................................... 14 (c) Irrigation and distribution systems ............................................................ 14 (d) Irrigation planning and management ......................................................... 15 (e) Special tools .................................................................................................. 15 652.0105 652.0106 Use of computers State supplement 16 16
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Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Introduction
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Chapter 1
Introduction
Applying water too soon or in excess of crop needs results in inefficient irrigation application. Too often irrigation decisionmakers subscribe to "when in doubt irrigate," rather than scheduling irrigations based on soil moisture monitoring and measured crop need. Another factor leading to inefficient water use is the use-it-or-lose-it perception. Some irrigators and irrigation districts feel they must divert and use all the water allocated to them whether they need it or not. This can result in less than desired crop yield and product quality. It also increases leaching of nutrients, toxic elements, and salts below the root zone and increases the potential for erosion. The direct cost of water to irrigators, when the water is supplied by irrigation companies or irrigation districts, varies between $5 and $600 per acre per year. In many areas, however, water is relatively low in cost. Low cost water can lead to inefficient use if an irrigator uses a convenient application time rather than providing the labor to fully manage the water.
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A personal library or reference folder(s) containing specific data and examples is recommended for technicians performing procedures. This library can be used until computer software programs are available and can then be used as a reference when the procedure is accomplished. Such a library or reference folder(s) can contain the following types of material: Irrigation guide tables, charts, references, procedures, materials, and forms, including examples. Tables for local climate, soils, crops, and plant water requirements. Available tables and figures from the National Engineering Handbook, Part 623, Irrigation. Information or aids from other sources for planning, design, management, and system evaluation. Previous jobs that have been designed, documented and approved.
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Crops respond to irrigation when rainfall does not maintain favorable soil moisture levels. When rainfall events are spaced too far apart for optimum plantwater conditions, plant biomass, yields, and quality are affected. Knowledge of actual crop rooting depths, water requirements at different growth stages, critical moisture stress periods, crop temperature modification effect, seed germination, and pesticide control are all necessary in determining when and how much water to apply. Chapter 4, Water RequirementsThis chapter describes methods for determining crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and net irrigation water requirement. Water budget and balance analysis use are also described. Estimated evapotranspiration values for peak daily, monthly, and seasonal periods for locally grown crops are included in the state supplement section.
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saline water on salt tolerant crops, liquid waste from agricultural related processing and products, treated municipal sewage effluent, and other low quality water should be considered as an irrigation water source. Chapter 14, Environmental ConcernsA direct relationship can be established between downstream water quality and irrigation. This relationship is presented in chapter 14. Improper selection of an irrigation method and system for a given site or the mismanagement of any system can result in poor water distribution uniformity, soil erosion, excessive runoff, and excessive deep percolation. Runoff can carry agricultural chemicals and plant nutrients in solution or attached to soil particles (e.g., phosphates). Excess irrigation water moving below the plant root zone (deep percolation) can carry soluble salts, nutrients (nitrates), pesticides, and other toxic elements that may occur in the soil profile. Excess irrigation water and whatever it contains in solution generally ends up either as ground water recharge or returns to downstream surface water.
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