Evaluation of centre pivot sprinkler irrigation system performance and its effect on sugar cane yield at Kagera Sugar Estate.
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Date
2010
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Centre pivot irrigation is a medium to low pressure sprinkler system capable of irrigating
large circular areas. It consists of a galvanised steel lateral supported by “A" - shaped
frame mounted on powered wheels. It rotates about a fixed point at the centre of the irrigated field.
The study evaluated the performance of a centre pivot spray nozzle irrigation system and its effects on sugarcane yield at Kagera Sugar Estate, Tanzania. The specific objectives were to assess: (i) the performance of the centre pivot spray nozzle sprinkler system (ii) soil parameters that influence cane yields and (iii) irrigation water quality. High and low yielding areas were represented by centre pivot GP7 and BP5. The results showed that low yields were contributed by poor performance of centre pivots and soil parameters. Centre pivot GP7 had average coefficient of uniformity (CU) of 96.91% while it was 86.28% for BP5; average distribution uniformity (DU) of 95.1% and 78.23%; average potential application efficiency (PELQ) of 86.83% and 79.14%; average application efficiency (AELQ) of 64.97% and 59.36%, respectively. The minimum recommended values for CU, DU, PELQ, and AELQ were 85%, 75%, 90%, and 85%.The performance parameters for GP7 were within the recommended values except AELQ and PELQ which was lower than the recommended value. The PELQ and ALQ for BP5 were lower than the recommended value. In general, the performance parameter estimated for GP7 were higher than for BP5 as the result of differences in sugarcane yield. For instance, fields under GP7 and BP5 had average yields of 123 and 74 tonnes per hectare respectively. Soil parameters that contributed to low yield were low water holding capacity., low cation exchange capacity; high acidity; poor structure and compaction by
farm machinery. Irrigation water quality was high that could not contribute to low yield.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Pivot System, Evaporation, Physical-Chemical, Soil chemical, Water irrigation