Ingeniería de Sistemas de Riego y Drenaje

Determination of Appropriate Furrow Length and Inflow Rate for Furrow Irrigation Practice under Werer Climatic Condition for Cotton Production at Middle Awash, Ethiopia

Abstract

Fikadu Robi*, Jemal Mohammed, Kebede Nanesa, Nigussie Abebe, Tesema Mitiku, Wondimu Tolcha and Melese Mulu

This article explains how to determine appropriate furrow length and flow rate for furrow irrigation system that is accurate and simple to use in semi-arid climates. The experiment was carried out from April to November 2019 and April to November 2021. Cotton was grown in Middle Awash, Ethiopia, thus field tests were conducted there. The yield and water productivity were significantly affected by the interaction of furrow length and inflow rate. Furrow length of 50 m combined with (1.2 l/s) inflow rate for 35.6 minutes produced the highest water application efficiency (65.0 %), water productivity (1.37 kg/m³), and lint yield (6.86 t/ha). The lowest water application efficiency (38.3 %), with inflow rate (1.6 l/s) for 9.75 minutes, and water productivity (0.85 kg/m³) were achieved from 10 m furrow length.