DRIP IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

摘要

Management options for drip irrigation in Bundaberg area were evaluated and details of commercial management practices are considered. Trials comparing deep and shallow placement of drip tubing showed that both are satisfactory for the soil types tested. More frequent watering is necessary if deep tape placement is used on sandy soils, and water use may be less efficient. A commonly used cheaper alternative - second-hand tape on the soil surface - is described. Fertigation through the drip tape showed no difference in crop response compared to conventional solid fertiliser application, and may be more practical and convenient in some situations. Drip was found to be more efficient than furrow irrigation; but differences under trial conditions were not as marked as those under commercial conditions, where it may not be possible to operate furrow irrigations as efficiently. The standard row spacing of 1.5 m and a 1.65 m spacing showed similar yields, and adoption of the 1.65 m spacing would result in a cost saving of 10% for drip tubing. A range of management practices for drip irrigation are discussed including filtration, chlorina-tion, irrigation scheduling, automation and aspects of system design.