Comparison between Hydro-Flume and Open Field Head Ditch Irrigation Systems at Kenana Sugar Scheme, Sudan
- 1 Agricultural Engineering Section, Research and Development Department, Kenana Sugar Company, Rabak City, Sudan
- 2 Irrigation and Water Management Institute, Gezira University, Wad Medani, Sudan
Abstract
A study was undertaken in Kenana Sugar Scheme, Sudan during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons. In this study, the gated pipe (hydro-flume) for ? furrow irrigation was compared with the conventional open field head ditch irrigation system concerning the volume of irrigation water applied to the field, irrigation efficiencies, the time of cutoff, water and irrigation time saved and the irrigation production efficiency (IPE). To achieve these objectives, two commercial cane fields having the same furrow lengths (2100 m) and slopes were chosen. The study shows that in the open field head ditch irrigation, the irrigation water added was 69.1 mm in the top, 75.7 mm in the ? middle and 66.1 mm in the end of the furrow. Whereas, the irrigation water added in the gated pipe system was 132.7 mm, 46.1 mm and 101.9 mm, respectively. The present study indicates that the gated-pipe system has a high value of application efficiency (79% - 88%) compared with the open field head ditch (69% - 71%). The percent of deep percolation (PDP) for the gated-pipe system is greater than the PDP obtained under open field head ditch irrigation conditions. Also the percent of runoff (PRO) is higher under the open field head ditch system and the water conveyance efficiency for the open field head ditch is 88%. While the gated pipe needs more advance time but can save 20 to 65 m 3 of water/irrigation cycle with better uniformity coefficient (CU) and irrigation production efficiency (IPE) compared with the open field head ditch. From the above mentioned results, it is concluded that under Kenana conditions the gated-pipe system is better than the open field head ditch irrigation system keeping in mind that for more uniform water distribution through irrigated furrows of the long fields of Kenana, increased pressure head at the inlet and/or larger openings of the hydro-flume gates may be necessary.
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