A research on site specific irrigation in irrigated maize in Cukurova region for energy and water saving

摘要

The effective use of agricultural input is only possible when spatial variability is recognized in the field by using information and precision farming technology then managed according to it. Effective and productive plant production requires the most appropriate water application strategies that take soil, climate, and farming operations into account. In addition to this, inputs used must be applied to where it is required without giving any harmful effects to the environment. In this study, spatial soil texture maps were created. Based on this soil maps, a total available water map was developed. According to the available water distribution map in the field, a variable rate water application map was produced in real farming data. Based on these variable rate water application maps, an economic evaluation was made to see the potential of energy and water savings. An estimation of the total water and energy saving in Adana, Cukurova has shown very promising results. According to evaluation of site specific irrigation for 38,8 ha maize field irrigation in Adana, Cukurova, 5.3% water saving which is equal to 847 m~3 was possible for the 2009 irrigation season. It is also proved that using site specific irrigation technique offers a considerable energy saving with 587 to 1300 toe (tons of oil equivalent) according to different irrigation scenario for the 125000 ha field for maize in Adana, Cukurova.