Agronomy journal, Vol. 69 No. 4, 2007.
Original scientific paper
WATER DOSAGE USING THE COEFFICIENT OF IRRIGATION
I. Šimunić
F. Tomić
Abstract
The goal of the investigations was to determine the onset of irrigation using the coefficient of irrigation, which is based on the calculation of everyday evapotranspiration. The coefficient of irrigation represents the water consumption (mm) per one degree of mean daily air temperature (oC). Three-year investigations (1999-2001) were carried out in Međimurje, on the soil type Calcaric Fluvisol (Anthrosol). Irrigation was applied by means of mini sprinklers. Irrigation rate was calculated by the standard method and amounted to 47.9 mm apple, 36.0 mm for sugarbeet and potato. The coefficient of irrigation was estimated for ten-day periods (decades) according to the data on: soil moisture, precipitation, mean daily air temperature and the amount of water added with irrigation.
The average three-year coefficient of irrigation ranged for apple from 0.16 mm/oC in the first decade of May to 0.40 mm/oC in the first decade of August, sugarbeet from 0.10 mm/oC in the first decade of May to 0.23 mm/oC in the second decade of August and for potato from 0.11 mm/oC in the first decade of May to 0.21 mm/oC in the second decade of July. Water consumption for a particular day is calculated by multiplying the coefficient of irrigation by the mean daily air temperature (oC). When, in adding up the consumption of water per days, the previously added irrigation rate is spent, irrigation should be applied again.
This practical procedure of determining the onset of irrigation can also be applied in crop production also in a wider area with equal or similar pedological and climatic conditions.
Keywords
coefficient of irrigation; apple; sugarbeet; potato
Hrčak ID:
19821
URI
Publication date:
20.8.2007.
Visits: 3.513 *