Role of Transpiration Reduction during Center-Pivot Sprinkler Irrigation in Application Efficiency
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 3
Abstract
The magnitude and duration of corn transpiration reduction during center-pivot sprinkler irrigation was analyzed on a commercial plot. The irrigation event was defined as the period during which the pivot arm was passing over the transect AC and water droplets were moistening the plants (moist treatment). Corn transpiration rates were measured at three spots of that transect and simultaneously at another spot (dry treatment) located approximately 270 m east from the transect AC. Corn transpiration rates for the moist treatment location were reduced by 30–36% compared to the dry treatment location during the irrigation event. After irrigation, the transpiration reduction lasted for 1.8–2.6 h, and ranged from 22–29%. The gross wind drift and evaporation losses ranged from 10–13% of the applied water, whereas the net interception losses were 2% of the applied water. Considering the observed corn transpiration reduction during and after the irrigation, the net sprinkler evaporation losses ranged from 11–13% of the applied water, with no relevant differences along the pivot arm.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by the project AGL-2007-66716-CO3-01 (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación). The authors express their gratitude to Manuel Labrador for allowing the use of his farm and his complete support over the course of the experiment. We also thank Ana Bielsa, Miguel Izquierdo, Jesús Gaudó, Juan Manuel Acín, and Ricardo Santolaria for field assistance.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 3 • March 2013
Pages: 221 - 232
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 19, 2011
Accepted: Aug 8, 2012
Published online: Feb 15, 2013
Published in print: Mar 1, 2013
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