Nov 6, 2012 - MANAGEMENT OF DRIP/TRICKLE OR MICRO IRRIGATION, EDITED BY MEGH ... filtration systems, automation, chloration, service and main-.
IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE
Irrig. and Drain. 61: 705–706 (2012)
BOOK REVIEW
MANAGEMENT OF DRIP/TRICKLE OR MICRO IRRIGATION, EDITED BY MEGH RAJ GOYAL. APPLE ACADEMIC PRESS, TORONTO AND NEW JERSEY, 2012. ISBN 978-1-926895-12-3 (HARDBACK), 408 PP. In the agricultural sector, the prospects of increasing the gross cultivated area are limited by the dwindling number of economically attractive sites for large-scale irrigation projects. Therefore the required increase in agricultural production will necessarily rely largely on major improvements in the construction, operation and management of existing irrigation systems. The failure of the present systems can be attributed, essentially, to poor planning, design, system management and development. To take full advantage of investments in agriculture, a major effort is required to modernize irrigation systems and further develop appropriate management strategies compatible with both financial and socio-economic trends and the environment. This calls for a holistic approach to irrigation technology so as to increase food production, conserve water, prevent soil salinity and waterlogging and preserve the environment. All these factors and constraints compel professionals and decision-makers to review the strengths and weaknesses of current trends in irrigation and rethink technology, institutional and financial patterns and research thrust so that irrigation system efficiency can be improved in a sustainable pattern. New irrigation systems, technology and design are continually being developed and tested in an effort to obtain the highest efficiency of water application. The starting points for irrigation development are the world’s population, its growth and its standards of living. The challenge is to provide food for billions of people, while increasing domestic and industrial water demand. Worldwide, the use of drip/trickle or micro irrigation methods has been steadily increasing in order to cope with declining water withdrawals to irrigation, better use of other farm inputs like seed, fertilizers and chemicals, energy besides increasing crop yields. At the same time, these pressurized irrigation technologies should not be considered as a panacea for improved on-farm water management. Experience has shown that if these systems are not designed, operated and maintained properly, they may not give the expected benefits and even, in some situations, may adversely affect crop growth. It is, therefore, essential to
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
carry out periodic diagnostic analysis and performance evaluation of pressurized irrigation systems to ensure that they are operating optimally. Drip,/trickle or micro irrigation is a method with highfrequency application of water in and around the root zone of plants and consists of a network of pipes with emitting devices. The emitted water moves because the soil is unsaturated. Thus, favourable conditions of soil moisture in the root zone are maintained. This causes optimum development of the crop. Drip irrigation is adaptable for almost all soils. Moreover, with adequate design, and use of pressure-compensating drippers and pressure-regulating valves, drip irrigation can be adapted to almost any topography. The system is suitable for all crops except rice and can be extended to wasteland, hilly areas, coastal sandy belts, water-scarce areas, semi-arid zones and well-irrigated areas. By using drip irrigation, the water saving compared to conventional surface irrigation is about 40–60% and the yield can be increased up to 100%. Compared with other irrigation systems, the efficiencies in surface, sprinkler and drip irrigation are 30–40, 60–70 and 85–95%, respectively. Apart from this, saving of labour and fertilizer used and less weed growth are other advantages. On the whole, studies conducted and information gathered from farmers in different countries revealed that this method is technically feasible, and economically both viable and acceptable. With reference to these issues, the book focuses on knowledge and techniques suitable for developing and managing an effective and efficient drip/trickle or micro irrigation system. The mission of the volume is to serve as a text or a reference compendium for graduate and undergraduate students of agricultural, biological and civil engineering, horticulture, soil science and agronomy. The book includes the basic considerations relating to soil–water–plant interactions, with topics such as methods for soil moisture measurement, evapotranspiration, irrigation systems, tensiometer use and installation, principles of drip/trickle/micro irrigation, filtration systems, automation, chloration, service and maintenance, design of drip irrigation and lateral lines, and an economic analysis for selecting irrigation technology. It also
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BOOK REVIEW
contains a glossary of terms and a comprehensive and updated bibliography. The chapters of the book are based on the research and publications of the editor, during his long term as a Professor of Agricultural and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, and on a valuable worldwide cooperation of a group of engineers, agronomists and students.
Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PROFESSOR DANIELE DE WRACHIEN EurAgEng Past President Associate Editor of Irrigation and Drainage
Published online 6 November 2012 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com)
Irrig. and Drain. 61: 705–706 (2012)
