SF Irrigation

SF Irrigation

1. abstraction licence for >20m3/day

2. EU water framework directive

   • sustainable water use
   • river basin management

3. Groundwater directive

   • protection of groundwater resources

4. Environmental liability directive

   • prevent environmental damage
   • polluter pays

5. Water Bill 2003

   • time restricted abstractions
     • seasonal or 1,5,12years
   • ability to revoke abstractions

6. planning

   • previous 20years rainfall
     • 5th driest year
       • 3rd if high value
   • pressure is more important
     • cost of maintaining
     • too low = large droplets
       • excessively wet perimeter
     • too high = small droplets
       • wet near sprinkler
         • more susceptible to wind
     • if reel is driven by water pressure requires 12bar
       • expensive

7. can only put fert through tape

   • water through tape requires filtration
     • suppose to increase marketable yield

8. run-off

   • app rate too high for infiltration
   • app rate too high for slopes
   • incorrect pressures or set up
   • poor soil MC
   • poor soil structure
     • no structure in potato field

9. thermal imaging

   • hot plants are the ones struggling to get water

10. can save upto 50% of water using

    • Regulated deficit irrigation
      • below needs for certain periods
    • Partial Rootzone Drying
      • alternate cycles to either side of roots
        • yield loss is worth the irrigation saving
          • Dorji et al, 2005