Abstract
Subsurface drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation technology available to agricultural producers. The dimensions of wetted areas, affected by subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) system design and initial soil moisture conditions, were evaluated around emitters in three different indoor soil bins with a growing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) crop. To investigate the dynamics of soil moisture an emitter flow rate of 0.432 L hr−1 was implemented for 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 h of continuous irrigation application in all three bins. Moreover, a normal single pulse application (6 h) to three multi-pulse [three 2-h pulses separated by 4 h (3 × 2 h), a 2-h and 4-h pulse separated by 6 h (2 + 4 h), a 4-h and 2-h pulse separated by 6 h (4 + 2 h)] were compared. The results showed that at applications of five or more hours, single irrigation events in the Clay loam (CL) and Loamy sand (LS) bins could generate connected wetted areas around emitters along driplines with width (W) values larger than 60 cm. In the LS bin, without separation between dry and wet initial conditions, the increase of height (H) as a function of application duration was steeper than in the CL and C bins. Soil moisture differences between multi-pulse and single-pulse irrigation applications disappeared within 24 h after the start of the first irrigation event. Therefore, sub-daily multi- pulse irrigation is not relevant for crop water management.
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Acknowledgements
Funding for this research was provided by Southern Irrigation, Lethbridge College, the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC ARD2 522528-17), and Regional Innovation Network Southern Alberta (RINSA). We thank John Wubs, Antonie van Rijswijk, Ben van Driesten for installing the SDI systems and providing assistance with determining and programming irrigation applications. Special thanks to Nathan Linder who was responsible for day-to-day operations of the SDI systems, crop management, data collection, and maintenance and replacement of soil moisture sensors when required.
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Karimi, R., Appels, W.M. Soil moisture dynamics in a new indoor facility for subsurface drip irrigation of field crops. Irrig Sci 39, 715–724 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-021-00741-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-021-00741-3