SANTANA, E. N. F.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/4908886943458037; SANTANA, Ed Naldo Fernandes de Santana.
Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to perform a seasonal monitoring of the furrow
irrigation system performance in the São Gonçalo-Pb irrigation district, looking forward to
a systematic control of the hydraulic conditions of each irrigation event that would favour
a better system performance. To perform this monitoring, it was done: a quantification of
the spatial and temporal variations in field parameters; an advance phase monitoring;
system performance evaluations; and a monitoring of its operational parameters. The
results identified spatial and temporal variations in the furrow cross section. The furrow
base was the dimension that showed to be most vulnerable to variations over the season,
with a percentage of variation equal to 63%. The advance phases exhibited only temporal
variations in the soil infiltration characteristics. In the last four events these variations
were insignificant. The advance phase monitoring contributed substantially to balance
the deep percolation and runoff water losses. The monitoring of the operational
parameters resulted in a significant improvement in the system performance over the
season. The application efficiency increased from 41% to 71%, where its seasonal average
value was 62%. This application efficiency improvement did not sacrificed the condition
of complete irrigation, which was the goal of this research. Without a systematic and
adequate management on the operational parameters, the spatial and temporal variations in
field parameters might compromise sensitively the furrow irrigation system performance.
