Research Article, J Hydrogeol Hydrol Eng Vol: 5 Issue: 1
Irrigation Uniformity Impacts on Water Use Efficiency and Soil Salinity: Case Study of Tomato Crop under Trickle Irrigation System in the NorthEast of Tunisia
| Ahmed Saidi1*, Moncef Hammami2, Hedi Daghari1, Amor Boughdiri3, and Hedi Ben Ali4 | |
| 1Carthage University, National Agronomic Institute of Tunis, 43 Charles Nicolle Street, Mahrajene City, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia | |
| 2Carthage University, Higher Agronomic School of Mateur, Road of Tabarka, 7030 Mateur, Tunisia | |
| 3Jendouba University, Higher School of Rural Equipment Engineers, Road of Kef , 9070, Medjez El Bab, Beja Tunisia | |
| 4Agency of agricultural investment promotion, 6000 Gabes, Tunisia | |
| Corresponding author : Ahmed Saidi Carthage University, National Agronomic Institute of Tunis Mahrajene City, 1082 Tunis, Tunisia Tel: +216 97 88 77 36; Fax: +216 71 79 93 91; E-mail: saidiahmed44@gmail.com |
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| Received: November 19, 2015 Accepted: January 10, 2016 Published: January 16, 2016 | |
| Citation: Saidi A, Hammami M, Daghari H, Boughdiri A, Ben Ali H (2016) Irrigation Uniformity Impacts on Water Use Efficiency and Soil Salinity: Case Study of Tomato Crop under Trickle Irrigation System in the North-East of Tunisia. J Hydrogeol Hydrol Eng 5:1. doi:10.4172/2325-9647.1000130 |
Abstract
Water distribution uniformity remains one of the most used criteria for irrigation performance evaluation. In this paper, the effects of emitters’ discharges spatial-temporal variations on water supply and salt accumulation underneath trickle irrigated crop were assessed. The survey was performed in a private tomato plot in Kalaat El Andalous district (northern-east of Tunisia). Emitters’ discharges spatial variation measurements were made according to Keller and Karmeli method. These measurements were repeated four times throughout irrigation season. Recorded results show that outlets flow rates were significantly lower (-23% to -62%) than their nominal value (4 l/h) for all tested emitters. In fact, emitters’ discharges heterogeneity, recorded within four sites, were 3 l/h, 2.5 l/h, 2 l/h and 1.5 l/h. Nevertheless, for the same locus, emitter discharge variation ranged between -3% and +3% during the irrigation season. Consequently, applied water amounts were ranging between -48% to +6% of the needed water volume with an average uniformity coefficient of 71%. Because of such water supply spatial-temporal heterogeneity, salts leaching fractions were ranging between 8% and 69% of the total loaded salts amount whereas accumulated fractions were ranging between 21% and 90%.
