Comparison between Hydro-Flume and Open Field Head Ditch Irrigation Systems at Kenana Sugar Scheme, Sudan

A study was undertaken in Kenana Sugar Scheme, Sudan during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons. In this study, the gated pipe (hydro-flume) for ?furrow irrigation was compared with the conventional open field head ditch irrigation system concerning the volume of irrigation water applied to the field, irrigation efficiencies, the time of cutoff, water and irrigation time saved and the irrigation production efficiency (IPE). To achieve these objectives, two commercial cane fields having the same furrow lengths (2100 m) and slopes were chosen. The study shows that in the open field head ditch irrigation, the irrigation water added was 69.1 mm in the top, 75.7 mm in the ?middle and 66.1 mm in the end of the furrow. Whereas, the irrigation water added in the gated pipe system was 132.7 mm, 46.1 mm and 101.9 mm, respectively. The present study indicates that the gated-pipe system has a high value of application efficiency (79% - 88%) compared with the open field head ditch (69% - 71%). The percent of deep percolation (PDP) for the gated-pipe system is greater than the PDP obtained under open field head ditch irrigation conditions. Also the percent of runoff (PRO) is higher under the open field head ditch system and the water conveyance efficiency for the open field head ditch is 88%. While the gated pipe needs more advance time but can save 20 to 65 m3 of water/irrigation cycle with better uniformity coefficient (CU) and irrigation production efficiency (IPE) compared with the open field head ditch. From the above mentioned results, it is concluded that under Kenana conditions the gated-pipe system is better than the open field head ditch irrigation system keeping in mind that for more uniform water distribution through irrigated furrows of the long fields of Kenana, increased pressure head at the inlet and/or larger openings of the hydro-flume gates may be necessary.

Introduction of Fertigation in Sugarcane Production for Optimization of Water and Fertilizers Use

A fertigation experiment was conducted during 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons under com-mercial field conditions in Kenana Sugar Scheme, Sudan (latitude 13.10’N and longitude 32.40’E) in heavy clay soils, with 65% clay, 24% silt, 11% sand and pH 7.5 - 8.5. The primary objective of this study was to compare different strategies for timing of injection, to develop management practices on the efficient use of water and fertilizers in production of sugarcane, maximize yield, and improve quality. In both seasons four treatments were studied in a randomized complete block design with three replications as: Injection of the dissolved urea (46% N) during entire irrigation time (100%), during the first half of the irrigation time, during the second half of the irrigation time, and Mechanical application of urea. The first three treatments were applied with the third irrigation cycle through the irrigation water so that nitrogen fertilizer in form of dissolved urea (46% N) was injected in irrigation water by means of pressure differential tank system which is based on the principle of a pressure differential being created by a valve and flow regulator forcing and injecting a varying amount of dissolved fertilizer into the irrigation water. In the fourth treatment the fertilizer spreader and rigid tine cultivator were used for urea application just before the third irrigation event. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and the amount of water required for irrigating sugarcane plants were calculated according to its phenological stages using Peman-Monteith approach. The results of this study support the general finding that the injection during the entire irrigation (100% of the irrigation) produced the best distribution uniformity of added urea. In this study, injection during the first half of the irrigation was not statistically different from injection during 100% of the irrigation.