International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 001-007, February, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Emitter clogging and effects on drip irrigation systems performances

Muharrem Yetis Yavuz^*, Kursad Demırel, Okan Erken, Erdem Bahar and Merve Devecıler

Department of Agricultural Structures and Irrigation, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey.

Accepted 22 November, 2016

Abstract

Emitter clogging is one of the most important factors that affect the performances on drip irrigation systems. Emitter clogging, which is formed in a short time due to irrigation systems’ running under an inadequate pressure or owing to water quality, not only negatively influences uniformity of water distribution but also causes inadequate irrigation. In this survey, the clogging level determination of the emitters used in drip irrigation systems of some agricultural farms situated in Canakkale and their effects on irrigation performances were observed. The emitters were obtained from different farms in the investigated area, and were tested under the pressures of 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 kPa in hydraulic laboratories. The clogging extend of emitters, flushing of clogging increased pressure and also performance values as coefficient of variation (Cv) under 100 kPa pressure, statistical uniformity (Us), emission uniformity (Eu) and Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient (Cu) were established through the tests. Acquired performance values must be matched with emitter performances that have not been used in irrigation. As a result of the study it was determined that some emitters are plugged on laterals used for 2 or 3 years in consequence of the tests. It as also determined that emitter coefficient of variation varied in the ranges of 0.43 and 0.63, 0.43 and 0.69, 0.48 and 0.58, 0.56 and 0.73 for unused emitters, for one year, for two years and for three years used emitters. Coefficient of variation between emitter flows remained within the limit of 5% in all laterals, except for one of the laterals used for one year. Coefficient of variation of emitters along two of the laterals used two years and all of those used three years remained out of 5% limitation. Similar results to CVm (manufacturing variation coefficient) were determined for performance parameters in respect of statistical uniformity (Us), emission uniformity (Eu) and Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient (Cu).

Key words: Drip irrigation, emitter clogging, drip irrigation performance.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 4 (1), pp. 001-004, January, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The effect of irrigation by domestic waste water on soil properties

Hossein Hassanpour Darvishi¹, Mohammad Manshouri² and Hossein Aliabadi Farahani³*

¹Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Iran.

²Department of Water Sciences and Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

³Member of Young Researchers Club, Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Iran.

Accepted 07 May, 2016

Abstract

To investigate the beneficial impacts of domestic waste water on soil properties, we conducted an experiment in the lysimeter by measuring certain features essentially related to soil characteristics. The objectives in this study were (i) the domestic waste water in filtration by soil and (ii) the effect of domestic waste water on soil properties. In this experiment, we had 15 lysimeters that 1 - 5 lysimeters were irrigated by domestic waste water and primary drainage water was accumulated from these lysimeters and 6 - 9 lysimeters were irrigated by primary drainage water and secondary drainage water was accumulated and 10, 11 and 12 lysimeters were irrigated by secondary drainage water. In order to compare soil properties, 13, 14 and 15 lysimeters were irrigated by agronomical water and finally, soil and water properties were analyzed in each stage. The results showed that, soil could filter the domestic waste water and reduced BOD₅ and COD of domestic waste water. Also, irrigation with domestic waste water increased nutritive elements in soil that can be source of nutrition for plants. The findings may give applicable advice to commercial farmers and agricultural researchers for management and proper use of water.

Key words: Irrigation, domestic waste water, soil properties.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 3 (12), pp. 001-008, December, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Neural network approach for modeling the mass transfer of potato slices during osmotic dehydration using genetic algorithm

M. R. Amiryousefi* and M. Mohebbi

Department of Food Science and Technology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, P. O. Box: 91775-1163, Mashhad, Iran.

Accepted 08 July, 2016

Abstract

In this study, an approach for designing a neural network based on genetic algorithm has been used to model mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of potato slices. The experimental data were obtained through a complete randomized design with different osmotic solutions (5, 10 and 15% w/w) and potato to solution ratios (1:6, 1:8 and 1:10) at varying temperatures (30, 40 and 60°C) and the best model obtained with optimization of a multi-layer perceptron neural network had a mean absolute error of 0.260, 0.516 and 0.137 for moisture content, water loss and solid gain of osmotically dehydrated slices respectively.

Key words: Osmotic dehydration, potato, neural network, genetic algorithm, modeling, mass transfer.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 001-008, October, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of irrigation management on yield and quality of tomatoes grown in different soilless media in a glasshouse

S. Metin Sezen^1*, Gülendam Celikel², Attila Yazar³, Servet Tekin³ and Burcak Kapur³

¹Department of Water Management, Soil and Water Resources Tarsus Research Institute, PO Box 23, 33400, Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey.

²Alata Horticultural Research Institute, 33740, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey.

³Department of Irrigation and Agricultural Structures, Faculty of Agriculture, Cukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey.

Accepted 09 July, 2016

Abstract

Global warming and resulting drought is the most important constraint affecting plant production in the Mediterranean Region. Therefore, effective management of scarce water resources is of paramount importance in this region. This research was conducted to determine the optimal irrigation strategy for drip irrigated fresh market tomato grown in different soilless culture in a glasshouse in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey. Volcanic ash, peat and their mixture were used as growth media. Four different irrigation levels (WL₁=75%; WL₂=100%; WL ₃=125% and WL₄=150% of Class A Pan evaporation) and two watering frequencies (once and twice daily applications) were evaluated. Highest yield and fruit number were obtained from the ash+peat mixture (1:1) with twice a day watering at WL₄ irrigation level. Soluble solids of tomato fruit decreased with increasing available water. The highest irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) value of 121.4 kg m ^-3 was obtained from once a day irrigation WL₁ irrigation level with peat+ash (1:1). IWUE decreased in all treatments as the amount of irrigation water increased.

Key words: Peat, volcanic ash, substrate, drip irrigation, class A Pan, irrigation water use efficiency.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 3 (9), pp. 001-005, September, 2016. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Occurrence of ESCHERICHIA  COLI  O157 in a river used for fresh produce irrigation in Nigeria

V. N. Chigor^1*, V. J. Umoh² and S. I. Smith³

¹Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

²Department of Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

³Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Division, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.

Accepted 17 February, 2016

Abstract

Concerns about the persistence of ESCHERICHIA COLI O157 in irrigation waters and its transmission to fresh produce makes investigation of irrigation waters imperative. The prevalence of this pathogen and seasonal levels of water quality parameters in Kubanni River were studied, using standard methods, over a 10-month period. Detection rate for E. COLI O157 confirmed by slide agglutination was 2.1%. Faecal coliform counts (FCC) exceeded acceptable limits and was significantly higher in the dry season than during the rainy season (p<0.05). Remarkably, nitrate level was significantly higher in the rainy season than dry season (p<0.05). A significant (p<0.05) correlation was established between FCC and each of nitrate (r = 0.25), biochemical oxygen demand (r = 0.51) and electrical conductivity (r = 0.55). It was concluded that the Kubanni River represents a potential public health risk, being unfit for fresh produce irrigation. Perhaps, this is the first report on the isolation of E. COLI O157 from water sources in Nigeria.

Key words: Escherichia coli O157, contamination, irrigation water, nitrate, fresh produce, surface waters.