International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

This study was aimed to evaluate water application uniformity of emitters for drip irrigation systems. The data was obtained from our previous studies or some researches in the world relevant to watering performance of drippers. In results, reasons of poor watering performance of drip irrigation systems were inadequate design and mainly incorrect management of systems. Following recommendations were proposed for better distribution of water for crops / plants; 1- correct design and management of the systems, 2- applications of physical, chemical, and biological for preventing dripper clogging, 3- timely control of system components particularly emitters, and 4- participation of farmers courses about agricultural water management.

The study was performed to identify irrigation scheduling of some common crops such as seed-maize, tomato, carrot, rice, alfalfa, and tomato plants at arid Rosso province, Mauritania. In that purpose, crop water requirement, ETc, for those crops were calculated by Cropwat software computer program. In results, ETc values for Rice, Alfalfa, Carrot, Maize (grain), and Tomato crops were calculated as about 1378 mm, 1542 mm, 814 mm, 705 mm, and 956 mm respectively. The irrigation water requirements, I, for the examined crops were found as 1677 mm, 1535 mm, 811 mm, 699 mm, and 950 mm, respectively. In accordance with our findings, the following suggestions can be considered; crop pattern should be designated in accordance with current water resources; water delivery systems should be converted to modernized systems; deficit irrigation can be applied for some crops; farmers should be educated about correct water management, and there should be strong relationships between landowners and water managers.

Irrigated agriculture with a world average of 70% withdrawal is the largest fresh water user among all- consumptions and is even higher than 80% in some regions such as semi-arid Konya plain of Turkey. It is impossible to make economic crop production in such environments without irrigation especially for summer crops. Over water abstractions from the groundwater reservoir is inevitable for meeting whole current crop water requirements so this situation may result serious environmental problems such as formation of sinkholes in some places. Following necessary precautions can be taken into considerations for sustainable usages of current water supp lies in water shortage ecosystems like Konya plain of Turkey; 1- Crop pattern should be redesigned in accordance of safely available water supplies, 2- Implementing deficit irrigation program. In that regard, up to 25% deficit irrigation can be suggested for some crops, 3-Developing and widely planting drought resistant cultivars, 4- Improving irrigation areas of practicing pressurized irrigation technologies, 5- Replacement of open channels water delivery systems to the pipe networks, 6- Farmers should be trained about correct agro-water management at farm level with rich visual documents, and 7- Rain-fed farming system could be done for some crops.

The greatest fresh water user sector is agriculture worldwide. The optimum utilization of current water supplies is necessarily prerequisites particularly in water poor climates. It is almost impossible to obtain economical crop yield without irrigation in those types of environments. In general, vegetables are high water consuming crops and well responses to the adequate soil moisture levels in rooting depths. Correct irrigation program is vital important for reaching target optimal production. The present study aimed to analyze irrigation programs affect on yield and water use efficiency, WUE, of lettuce plant for different growing conditions. In accordance of previous studies, maximum yield was obtained from full irrigation treatment. Lettuce plants were not tolerant wide irrigation intervals e.g. 2 or 3-day ideal for optimal yield and quality. Evapotranspiration, ETc, was highly dependent on lettuce varieties, availability of soil moisture content in root systems as well as climatological factors, and ranged between 413 mm and 208 mm. The planting geometry also had effect on lettuce yield. The irrigation system is important, but the most important issue is proper water management for enhancing crop production. Use of sprinkler or drip irrigation system should be highly recommended for better yield, quality as well as efficient water usages or water savings in vegetable farming under correct irrigation program.