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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130677

Title: IRRIGATION SYSTEM EFFICIENCIES

Author
item Howell, Terry

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/23/2002
Publication Date: 2/5/2002
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Irrigation efficiency is a basic engineering term to measure irrigation system performance. The value of irrigation efficiency and its definition are important to the societal views of irrigated agriculture and its benefit in supplying the high quality, abundant food supply needed to meet our growing world's population. Irrigation efficiency is defined in terms of A) the irrigation system performance, B) the uniformity of the water application, and C) the response of the crop to irrigation. Each of these irrigation efficiency measures is interrelated and will vary with scale and time.

Technical Abstract: Irrigation efficiency is a critical measure of irrigation performance in terms of the water needed to irrigate a field, farm, basin, irrigation district, or an entire watershed. The value of irrigation efficiency and its definition are important to the societal views of irrigated agriculture and its benefit in supplying the high quality, abundant food supply needed to meet our growing world's population. "Irrigation efficiency" is a basic engineering term used in irrigation science to characterize irrigation performance, evaluate irrigation water use, and to promote better or improved use of water resources, particularly those used in agriculture and turf/landscape management. Irrigation efficiency is defined in terms of A) the irrigation system performance, B) the uniformity of the water application, and C) the response of the crop to irrigation. Each of these irrigation efficiency measures is interrelated and will vary with scale and time.