Performance Evaluation of Gated Pipes Technique for Improving Surface Irrigation Efficiency in Maize Hybrids

Abstract

Waterlogging and low application efficiency are the main problems inherent with surface irriga-tion in the Nile Delta. Develop surface irrigation using gated pipes (GP) is a new method to be used to distribute water into furrow irrigated fields as strategy based on water saving. Laboratory cali-bration was conducted out to evaluate the hydraulic characteristics of pipe gates. Field experi-ments were conducted at the Experimental Farm of the Agriculture Faculty, Minufiya University during 2013 and 2014 seasons to evaluate the performance of utilize gated pipes technique for ir-rigating five maize varieties (S.C 10, S.C 130, S.C 131, S.C 2031 and T.W.C 321). The results revealed that the highest amount of water applied was with traditional surface irrigation (6423.81 m 3 • ha −1). Use of gated pipes system GP1 as compared to traditional irrigation reduced water application by 923.81 m 3 • ha −1 with grain and stover yields increases of 5.7% and 3.4%, respectively. Traditional irrigation system achieved lowest irrigation performance parameters compared to gated pipes systems. Maize physiological attributes, yield, water use efficiency (WUE) and nitrogen accumula-tion were significantly decreased by either deficit or surplus irrigation than of GP1 rate. S.C 2031 variety significantly surpassed other varieties in abovementioned traits. Significant interaction effects were detected in both seasons. Maize varieties respond differently to irrigation systems. The highest values of grain yield (11062.6 and 10911.8 kg • ha −1) and stover yield (13639.0 and 13902.2 kg • ha −1) were obtained by S.C 2031 irrigated with GP1 system in both seasons. From the above mentioned results, it is concluded that the gated pipes technique is better than traditional irrigation for improving WUE and maize productivity under Nile Delta conditions.