Stream Size Optimization for Furrow Irrigation in Clay Loam Soil

Surface irrigation is most common method of irrigation and most widely used in the world, due to low costin the initial stage and easy to operate. Realizing the fact that surface irrigation will remain as the mostadoptable irrigation method for the farmers of India, a surface irrigation method which is a modification ofsurge irrigation is proposed in the present study. In the proposed irrigation method irrigation is accomplishedby applying inlet stream into furrows intermittently in place of conventional continuous stream application.The hydraulic behavior is studied under intermittent water application. The study involves developmentof relationship between advance function. The analysis of variance was also carried out for water frontadvance length, depth of infiltration time and water required under different spells of irrigation.The advanceunder first spell was found similar to continuous application while during second spell and subsequentspells the water front travel fast over the portion which was already wetted by previous spells. Fasteradvance in intermittent irrigation suggested reduction in infiltration rate relative to continuous application.Stream size significantly affected water front advance time and water utilized. Stream size of 1.5 lps streamin spell irrigation resulted in to maximum saving in time (13.0 %) and water (12.8 %) followed by 1.0 lpsstream. However 2.0 lps stream consumed more time and water to cover a targeted furrow length in spellirrigation. Intermittent water application in furrow irrigation saved water front advance time and volumeof water. A saving of 11- 23% in time of water front advance and saving of 16-22 % water was obtained whenwater was applied in 2- spells rather than continuous application for stream size of 1.0 lps and 1.5 lps.