Lect 5 - Irrigation Scheduling

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE
1st Semester, SY 2016-2017

Module No. 5
IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
Objectives:
After reading this module, you will be able to:
a. Appreciate the importance of pump irrigation in rainfed agriculture;
b. Be knowledgeable and skillful on the different irrigation scheduling methods;
c. Comprehend the concept about application of right amount at the right time and
explain the theories behind it;
d. Develop a sound irrigation schedule for different crops using the calculation method;
and
e. draw conclusions about agriculture as a business enterprise.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
I.
Introduction
In rainfed agriculture, farmlands can be productive throughout the year. Where rainfall is
scarce during the growing period and surface irrigation water is not readily available, pumping
groundwater is imperative. Rather than just leave the farmland fallow and generate no income
at all, crop production during the dry season is a viable option using pump irrigation. This can be
done through sprinkler, drip or surface irrigation method.
Crops are irrigated over a wide range of soil conditions and crop production practices.
Irrigating effectively a specific crop grown in a specific soil requires the development of a good
irrigation schedule. Irrigation scheduling is simply knowing when to irrigate and how much
irrigation water to apply. It implies efficient use of water and energy by applying the right
amount of water to crops at the right time.
Maximum yield usually does not equate to maximum profit. The main goal of irrigation
scheduling is to maximize profit by producing the maximum potential yield with minimum
production cost. Studies have shown that a well-planned irrigation schedule can save 15 to 35
percent of the irrigation water normally pumped without reducing yield. The cost of manpower
and energy for pumping this supposed excess irrigation water can be a significant amount in the
reduction of production cost, which subsequently translates to more profit.
II.
Application of Right Amount at the Right Time
Considered as good agriculture practice (GAP), irrigation scheduling is a fine-tuning

process that minimizes yield loss due to drought stress and waterlogging. The concept of
application of right amount of water at the right time is based on the theoretical relationship of
yield and water applied. This relationship is depicted in Figure 1, which connotes that:
a. even without irrigation, yield is still possible (point 1);
b. with too little water (under-application), yield increases (points 1 to 2)
c. irrigation contributes to continued yield increase (points 2 to 3);
Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

Associate Professor V
ISPSC, Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur

d. optimum water application attains maximum potential yield (point 3, the target
amount of irrigation scheduling);
e. more water causes no increase in yield (somewhere before and after the immediate
vicinity of point 3); and
f. with too much water (over-application), yield declines due to waterlogging (points
3 to 4).
Under-application of irrigation water results to drought stress and inhibits crop

physiological processes which result to stunted growth, and thus reduced yield. On the other
hand, over-application unnecessarily wastes water, energy and labor; leaches soil nutrients
below the root zone; and reduces soil aeration due to waterlogging, and thus yield is reduced.
The optimum amount of irrigation water to be applied is between points 2 and 3, the target of
irrigation scheduling.
III.
Irrigation Scheduling Methods
There are several ways to determine when to irrigate. From simple method to more
complex ones, these include: (a) plant observation; (b) package of technology; (c) soil moisture
monitoring and measurement; and (d) calculation methods. The plant observation method is
normally used by farmers based on their experiences; while the package of technology method
is based on research results. Both the soil moisture and measurement and the calculation
methods are science-based techniques wherein the former utilizes metering devices in
monitoring soil moisture; while the latter employs mathematical calculations based on scientific
information and principles.
In this module, we will discuss only in passing the first three methods. The fourth method is
given much emphasis because agricultural engineers like you someday are supposed to be
knowledgeable and skillful in developing irrigation schedules appropriate for any given crop to
be irrigated using any irrigation method particularly sprinkler, drip, or furrow irrigation system.


Plant Observation Method. It determines when the plants have to be irrigated and is
based on observing changes in the plant characteristics, such as changes in color of the plants,
curling of the leaves and ultimately plant wilting. The changes can often only be detected by
looking at the crop as a whole rather than at the individual plants. When the crop comes under
water stress, the appearance changes from vigorous growth to slow or stunted growth. To use
the plant observation method successfully, experience and good knowledge of the local
environment are required. Without any doubt, the farmers are skillful and competent along
these requirements.
The disadvantage of the plant observation method is that by the time the symptoms are
evident, the irrigation water has already been withheld too long and potential yield losses are
already inevitable. It is important to note that it is not advisable to wait for the symptoms
become observable. Irrigation water has to be applied before the symptoms are evident
especially in the initial and crop development stages.
Package of Technology. Irrigation scheduling as part of the whole package of
technology is relatively more accurate than the observation method but relatively less accurate
than the calculation method. Throughout the years, numerous studies on various crops grown on
different locations and agronomic environments have been conducted by agricultural
researchers. Based on the results, crop-specific and location-specific recommendations are
formulated. These science-based results eventually form part of the technology package that
are published in the form of Techno Guides, or as Philippines Recommends in the case of the
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development
(PCAARRD).
Majority of the farmers nowadays employ both the observation and the package of
technology methods at the same time. This indicates that the governments efforts on
disseminating agricultural technologies at the grassroots level is quite successful. Seemingly in the
near future, the calculation method for irrigation scheduling will be introduced without much
difficulty particularly to modern farmers who practice farming as a business enterprise where
net profit is of utmost consideration.
Soil Moisture Monitoring and Measurement. The two most common instrument in use in
the field are tensiometers and electrical resistance meter.
A tensiometer is a sealed, water-filled tube with a porous ceramic tip on the lower end
and a vacuum gauge on the upper end. The tube is installed in the soil with the ceramic tip
placed at the desired root zone depth and with the gauge above ground. Figure 2 shows the
essential parts of a tensiometer.
In dry soil, water is drawn out of the instrument, reducing the water volume in the tube
and creating a partial vacuum which is registered on the gauge. The drier the soil, the higher the
reading. When the soil receives water through rainfall or irrigation, the action is reversed. The
vacuum inside the tube draws water from the soil back into the instrument which, in turn, results
in lower gauge readings. The amount of vacuum reflected by the gauge is a direct measure of
soil water tension or soil suction.


Figure 2. Parts of a tensiometer

The standard unit of measurement of soil water tension, or soil suction, is bar. The bar is a
unit of pressure (or vacuum) in the metric system and is approximately equivalent to one
atmosphere or 14.5 psi. Most tensiometer gauges are calibrated in hundredths of a bar (called
centibars) and graduated from zero to 100. In these units of calibration a tensiometer can
operate in a range of 0 to 80 centibars. Plant roots must overcome the soil suction or the
attraction that soil particles have for water in the soil in order to withdraw and use this water. The
measurement of soil suction is a direct indication of the amount of work the plant roots must do
to get water from the soil.
Tensiometer readings reflect the relative wetness of the soil high readings indicate a dry
soil and low readings a wet soil. The following general guidelines to interpreting gauge readings
may be used under most conditions:
Readings 0 to 5:
This range indicates a nearly saturated soil and often occurs

for one or two days following a rain or irrigation. Plant roots
may suffer from lack of oxygen if readings in this range
persist.


Readings 5 to 20:
This range indicates field capacity. Discontinue irrigation in

this range to prevent waste of water by percolation and also
to prevent leaching of nutrients below the root zone.
Readings 20 to 60:
This is the usual range for starting irrigation. Most field plants
having root systems 18 inches deep or more will not suffer
until readings reach the 40 to 50 range. Starting irrigations in
this range ensure maintaining readily available soil water at
all times. It also provides a safety factor to compensate for
practical problems such as delayed irrigation, or inability to
obtain uniform distribution of water to all portions of the field.
Readings 70 and higher:
This is the stress range for most soils and crops. Deeper
rooted crops in medium textured soils may not show signs of
stress before readings reach 70. A reading of 70 does not
necessarily indicate that all available water is used up, but
that readily available water is below that required for
maximum growth.
An electrical resistance meter determines soil water by measuring the electrical

resistance between two wire grids embedded in a block of gypsum or similar material that is
permanently embedded in the soil. The electrical resistance of the block varies with its water
content, which in turn is dependent upon the water content of the soil in contact with it. As the
soil dries, the block loses water and the electrical resistance increases. Therefore, resistance
changes within the block as measured by the meter can be interpreted in terms of soil water
content. The blocks, which have stainless steel electrodes embedded in them, are installed
permanently at desired locations and depths in the soil. Insulated wires from each block are
brought above the soil surface where they can be plugged into a portable meter for reading.
Resistance blocks are generally calibrated in terms of soil water tension so as to make
readings applicable across soil textures. Blocks should be calibrated for each soil type. The way
blocks manufactured by different companies respond to changes in soil water tension varies
considerably. For this reason each manufacturer furnishes calibration curves for their own
instruments and blocks.
The same guidelines above also apply to interpreting electrical resistance readings as to
the availability of soil water in the field.
IV.
Calculation Method for Determining Irrigation Schedule
Inasmuch as irrigation scheduling requires knowledge of the soil-water-plant relationships

and crop water use (ETc), there is a need to recapitulate the lessons from our previous modules
and include additional information if only to enhance better understanding of the topic at
hand.
The soil is composed of three major parts: air, water, and solids. The solid component
composed of minerals and organic matter forms the framework of the soil where plant roots are
anchored and absorb soil nutrients and water. The mineral fraction is made up of sand, silt, and
clay particles. Their relative proportion defines the soil texture which, in turn, defines its water


holding capacity. Sandy soils have low water holding capacity; while clayey soils have high
water holding capacity.
The proportion of the soil occupied by water and air is referred to as the pore volume.
The ratio of air to water stored in the pores changes as water is added to or lost from the soil. The
pore volume is a reservoir for holding water. Not all of the water in the reservoir is available for
plant use.
After heavy rainfall or too much application of irrigation water where all the pores are
filled with water, a saturated soil condition persists. This is schematically shown in Figure3 as the
topmost dotted line. By gravity, some of the water will go down through the soil profile and
beyond the root zone, and deposited in the aquifer. This is called gravitational water, which is
not available to plants.
Figure 3. Schematic diagram of terminologies and concepts on irrigation scheduling

After about 2-3 days of percolation of gravitational water, the soil is at field capacity
(FC), the dotted line below the saturation point. Under FC condition, the soil contains the
greatest amount of water that is potentially available to plants. This is called capillary water. The
amount of moisture present when the soil is at FC depends on the soil texture.


Surface tension (suction) holds capillary water around the soil particles. As water is
absorbed by plant or removed through evaporation from the soil surface, the films of water
remaining around the soil particles become thinner and are held by the soil particles more
tightly. When the surface tension becomes high, the plant can hardly take up water and wilts
during daytime but recovers during nighttime. The water content of the soil at this point is called
temporary wilting point (TWP, the 4th dotted line below the saturation point). Still when no water
is added and the plant has removed all available water, the water content of the soil has
reached the permanent wilting point (PWP, the dotted line below TWP). Below the PWP is the
oven-dry soil condition, which is not possible in natural condition. Oven-dry soil can be attained
only under controlled laboratory conditions.
From Figure 3, the difference between the volume of water stored when the soil is at field
capacity and the volume still remaining when the soil reaches the permanent wilting point is
called total available moisture (TAM), sometimes called plant-available water (PAW).
Mathematically,
TAM = FC PWP
(Eq. 1)
The water holding capacity of different soils in terms of field capacity and permanent
wilting point are presented in Table 1. The apparent specific gravity is also included for reference
in the discussion on depth of readily available moisture.
Table 1. Water holding capacity and apparent specific gravity of different soils
Soil
Field
Permanent
TAM = FC PWP2
Apparent
1
1
Texture
Capacity
Wilting Point
(%)
Specific
(FC, %)
(PWP, %)
Gravity3
Sand
7 17
27
5 10
1.65 (1.55 1.80)
Loamy sand
11 19
3 10
89
Sandy loam
18 28
6 16
12
1.50 (1.40 1.60)
Sandy clay loam
27
17
10
Loam
20 30
7 17
13
1.40 (1.35 1.50)
Sandy clay
36
25
11
Silt loam
22 36
9 21
13 15
Silt
28 36
12 22
14 16
Clay loam
36
22
14
1.35 (1.30 1.40)
Silty clay loam
30 37
17 24
13
Silty clay
30 42
17 29
13
1.30 (1.30 1.40)
Clay
32 40
20 24
12 16
1.25 (1.20 1.30)
1 Ranges are from Allen, Raes & Smith (1998) and whole numbers are from Saxton & Rawls (2006)
2 Use mean in the calculation.
3 From Orcullo (1997). Normal ranges are shown in parenthesis. Use mean in the calculation.
Values for blank spaces ( ) can be interpolated.
As the plant extracts water from the soil, the amount of TAM remaining in the soil
decreases. The TAM removed is the depletion volume. Irrigation scheduling decisions are often


based on the assumption that crop yield or quality will not be reduced as long as there is
enough amount of water to be used by the crop, which does not exceed the amount of
management allowed depletion or maximum allowable depletion (MAD). The MAD is the
percentage of available water that can be depleted during the crops most sensitive growth
stage.
The MAD depends on the soil and the crop. Most crops will recover overnight from
temporary wilting if less than 50 percent of the TAM has been depleted. Thus, a 50 percent MAD
represents a reasonable overall value for most purposes (UTIA, 2009). When accuracy is desired,
however, MAD values in Appendix Table 1 (abridged list from Allen, Raes & Smith, 1998) can be
used.
Although soil moisture is theoretically available until wilting point, crop water absorption
rate is continuously reduced until permanent wilting point is reached. Where the soil is sufficiently
wet, the soil supplies water fast enough to meet the atmospheric demand of the crop, and
water uptake equals ETc. As the soil moisture content decreases, water becomes more strongly
bound to the soil particles and is more difficult to extract. When the soil water content drops
below a threshold value, soil moisture can no longer be transported quickly enough towards the
roots to respond to the transpiration demand and the crop begins to experience stress.
When the crop evapotranspiration is low, MAD will be up to 20 percent more than the
values listed in Appendix Table 1. A numerical approximation for adjusting MAD for ETc rate is
(Allen, Raes & Smith, 1998):
MADAdj = MADTable + 0.04 (5 ETc)

where:
(Eq. 2)
the adjusted MAD is limited to 0.1< MAD Adj <0.8,

ETc is the crop evapotranspiration (mm day-1).
The fraction of TAM that a crop can extract from the root zone without suffering water
stress is called the readily available moisture (RAM). It is the soil moisture held between field
capacity and a nominated refill point for unrestricted growth. In this range of soil moisture, plants
are neither waterlogged nor water-stressed. Mathematically,
RAM = MADAdj x TAM

where:
(Eq. 3)
RAM is the readily available moisture or soil water in the root zone (mm),
MADAdj is the average fraction of total available moisture (TAM) that can
be depleted from the root zone before moisture stress or reduction in ET occurs
(0 1).
As reflected in Figure 3, the lower limit of RAM represents the moisture content of the soil
(Pw) every time irrigation water must be is applied. It is the minimum amount of soil moisture
which the plant can tolerate. Below this level could result to drought stress wherein crop yield
and quality is adversely decreased and affected. Pw can be determined using the following
equation:


Pw = FC RAM
(Eq. 4)
Application of irrigation water is normally expressed in unit depth (mm) of water. The
depth of RAM (dRAM) can be determined using the formula:
dRAM = [(FC Pw) / 100] (As) (RZD)

where:
(Eq. 5)
dRAM is the depth of readily available moisture (same unit of RZD),

FC & Pw = as defined earlier (%),
As = apparent specific gravity of the soil from Table 1 (dimensionless),
RZD = crop root zone depth (same unit of dRAM).
Rooting depth is the depth of the soil reservoir that the plant can reach to get TAM. Crop
roots do not extract water uniformly from the entire root zone. Thus, the effective root depth is
that portion of the potential rooting depth where the crop extracts the majority of its water. The
potential rooting depth is the maximum root depth of a crop when grown in a moist soil with no
barriers or restrictions that inhibit root elongation.
Water uptake by a specific crop is closely related to its root distribution in the soil. About
70 percent of plant's roots are found in the upper half of the crop's maximum rooting depth as
reflected in Figure 4. Thus, about 70 percent of the water used by the crop comes from the
upper half of the root zone. This zone is the effective root depth which should be used to
compute the volume of TAM in the soil reservoir. Hence, use 50 percent of the crop RZD in the
calculation of dRAM using Eq. 5. This condition is true only when the root depth is not specifically
specified as effective root zone depth. Otherwise, the data on effective RZD as in Appendix
Table 1 can be used directly in Eq. 5.
Figure 4. Proportion of moisture absorption at various root depths


The irrigation interval (Ii) indicates the number of days required to deplete dRAM
between two irrigation occasions. The depletion rate is dependent on several factors such as
location, climate, type of soil and kind of crop, which is referred to as crop evapotranspiration
(ETc) or crop water use. Ii in days can be calculated with the following formula:
Iiday = dRAM / ETc
(Eq. 6)
The computed number of days irrigation interval in Eq. 6 implies a gap after the last
irrigation application and the following round of application, assuming there is no rainfall
between the said schedules.
Example Determining irrigation schedule for off-season rice
What would be the irrigation schedule for our previous Examples 5, 7 and 8 on off-season rice
grown on a clayey soil using furrow irrigation method? Assume ETo for the entire growing period
is 3.4 mm day-1. In Module 4, the following kc curve (Figure 5) for off-season rice was
determined:
10


From Table 1,
determine TAM for
clayey soil:
TAM = (12 + 16) / 2 =
14 %
From Appendix
Table 1, determine
MAD for rice:
MADTable =
20 %
Solve for ETc at

different growth
stages of rice:
ETc (ini) = 0.32 (3.4) =

ETc (mid) = 1.16 (3.4) =
ETc (end) = 0.72 (3.4) =
1.1 mm day-1
3.9 mm day-1
2.4 mm day-1
Using Eq. 2, solve for

MADAdj at different
growth stages:
MADAdj (ini) = MADTable + 0.04 (5 ETc) = 0.20 +

0.04 (5 1.1) =
MADAdj (mid) = 0.20 + 0.04 (5 3.9) =
MADAdj (end) = 0.20 + 0.04 (5 2.4) =

readily available
moisture at different
growth stages:
RAM (ini) = MADAdj x TAM = (0.356) (0.14) x 100 =

RAM (mid) = 0.244 (0.14) x 100 =
RAM (end) = 0.304 (0.14) x 100 =
5.0 %
3.4 %
4.3 %
From Table 1, field

capacity for clayey
soil:
FC = (32 + 40) / 2 =
36 %

moisture content of
the soil at different
growth stages:
Pw (ini) = FC RAMj = 36 5.0 =

Pw (mid) = 36 3.4 =
Pw (end) = 36 4.3 =
31.0 %
32.6 %
31.7 %
From Table 1,
determine apparent
specific gravity for
clayey soil:
As =
1.25 -
From Appendix
Table 1, determine
effective root zone
depth for rice:
RZD =
0.50 m

depth of readily
available moisture at
different growth
stages:
dRAM (ini) = [(FC Pw) / 100] (As) (RZD) =

[(36 31)/100] (1.25) (0.50) =
dRAM (mid) = [(36 32.6)/100] (1.25) (0.50) =
dRAM (end) = [(36 31.7)/100] (1.25) (0.50) =
31.2 mm
27.5 mm
26.9 mm

irrigation interval at
different growth
stages:
Iiday (ini) = dRAM / ETc = 31.2 / 1.1 =

Iiday (mid) = dRAM / ETc = 27.5 / 3.9 =
Iiday (end) = dRAM / ETc = 26.9 / 2.4 =
28.4 days
7.1 days
11.2 days
35.6 %
24.4 %
30.4 %
Therefore, the depth of irrigation water application and irrigation interval are, as follows:
Day 0
11
For direct seeding, about 32 mm depth of irrigation water should be

applied and the next application should be done not later than 28 days
after seeding (DAS). However, ETc sharply increases after the 20th day

(initial growth stage), which renders the said applied amount not to last
until 28 DAS. Thus, the next application should be on 21 DAS.
Days 21, 28, 35, 42,

49, 56, 63, 70, 77, 84,
91 to Day 98
Day 109
Note:
For transplanted rice, the paddy should be at saturation point at

transplanting and the next application should be done on 21 DAS.
Apply 27.5 mm depth of irrigation water and repeat application every 7
days thereafter until 98 DAT for a total of 12 schedules. Next application
will be 11 days after 98 DAT or on Day 109.
Last application of 26.9 mm depth.
The above irrigation schedule is true only when there is no rainfall throughout the
duration of the growing period. If rainfall occurs, the schedule should be adjusted
accordingly depending on the amount of effective rainfall.
Student Activity:
1. Why pump irrigation is so important to rainfed agriculture? Discuss in

relation to the farmers and to society as a whole.
2. Enumerate at least 5 specific examples of observation method used
by farmers to determine or decide as to when to irrigate their crops.
3. Make a scholarly review or synopsis of not more than 100 words on a
given package of technology on irrigation management for any given
crop.
4. If you were to install tensiometers in your family farm, how would you do
it. Discuss the step-by-step procedure.
5. Summarize in your own words the theories behind the concept about
application of right amount at the right time.
6. Develop a sound irrigation schedule for the crop assigned to you in our
previous topic on ETc determination. Assume other conditions, if
necessary.
7. Elucidate the concept about farming is a business enterprise.
References:
Allen, R.G., Pereira, L.S., Raes, D., and Smith, M. (1998). Crop Evapotranspiration:
Guidelines for Computing Crop Water Requirements. FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56.
Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-104219-5.
Evans, Robert, D.K. Cassel and R.E. Sneed. 1996. Irrigation scheduling to improve waterand energy-use efficiencies. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. AG 452-4.
_______________. 1996. Soil, water, and crop characteristics important to irrigation
scheduling. North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. AG 452-1.
12


Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). n.d. Chapter 3: Determination of the irrigation
schedule for crops other than rice. Downloaded on November 23, 2016 from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/t720e/t720e06.htm#3.
Integrated Publishing, Inc. n.d. Bulk and specific gravity. Downloaded on November 28,
2016 from http://www.tpub.com.
Saxton, K.E. and W.J. Rawls. 2006. Soil water characteristic estimates by texture and
organic matter for hydrologic solutions. Published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal.
70:1569-1578.
University of California at Davis (UCD). n.d. MAD of selected crops during their most
sensitive growth stage. Downloaded on November 23, 2016 from
ucmanagedrought.ucdavis.edu//IRRIG%20sched%20allow%20depltn.DOC.
University of Georgia Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (UGDBAE).
2012. Irrigation scheduling methods. Bulletin No. 974 prepared by Kerry Harrison, Extension
Engineer.
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA). 2009. Water holding capacity and
plant available water. Downloaded on November 23, 2016 from
http://agriculture.tennessee.edu.
13


Appendix Table 1. Maximum allowable depletion and maximum root depth for selected field
crops and orchards during their most sensitive growth stage and grown under normal conditions
Maximum Allowable Depletion
(MAD)1
(for ET 5 mm/day)
Effective
Root Zone Depth (RZD)2
(m)
Broccoli
0.45
0.40 0.60
Cabbage
0.45
0.50 0.80
Carrots
0.35
0.50 1.00
Cauliflower
0.45
0.40 0.70
Celery
0.20
0.30 0.50
Garlic
0.30
0.30 0.50
Lettuce
0.30
0.30 0.50
0.30 0.60
0.30
Spinach
0.20
0.30 0.50
Radish
0.30
0.30 0.50
Eggplant
0.45
0.7-1.2
Sweet pepper (bell)
0.30
0.5-1.0
Tomato
0.40
0.7-1.5
0.45
0.9-1.5
0.7-1.2
0.50
Squash
0.50
0.6-1.0
Watermelon
0.40
0.8-1.5
- year 1
0.5-0.8
0.35
- year 2
0.7-1.0
0.40
Potato
0.35
0.4-0.6
Sweet Potato
0.65
1.0-1.5
Beans, green
0.45
0.5-0.7
Beans, dry
0.45
0.6-0.9
Beans, lima, large vines
0.45
0.8-1.2
Chickpea
0.50
0.6-1.0
Crop
A. Small Vegetables
Onion
B. Vegetables Solarium
C. Vegetables Cucurbitaceae
Cantaloupe
Cucumber
D. Roots and tubers

Cassava
E. Leguminoceae
14


Appendix Table 1 (continued)
Crop

(MAD)1
(for ET 5 mm/day)

(m)
Cowpea
0.45
0.60 1.00
Garbanzo
0.45
0.6-1.0
Groundnut (Peanut)
0.50
0.5-1.0
Soybeans
0.50
0.6-1.3
Asparagus
0.45
1.2-1.8
Strawberries
0.20
0.2-0.3
0.65
1.0-1.7
Castor bean
0.50
1.0-2.0
Rapeseed, Canola
0.60
1.0-1.5
Sesame
0.60
1.0-1.5
Sunflower
0.45
0.8-1.5
Maize, grain
0.55
1.0-1.7
Maize, sweet
0.50
0.8-1.2
- grain
1.0-2.0
0.55
- sweet
1.0-2.0
0.50
0.20
0.5-1.0
1.00 1.50
0.55
- Rotated grazing
0.5-1.5
0.60
- Extensive grazing
0.5-1.5
0.60
F.
Perennial vegetables
G. Fiber crops
Cotton
H. Oil crops
I.
Cereals
Sorghum
Rice
J.
Forages
Bermuda
Grazing pasture
K. Plantation crops, Tropical fruits, and orchards

Banana
- 1st year
0.5-0.9
0.35
0.5-0.9
0.35
Cacao
0.30
0.7-1.0
Coffee
0.40
0.9-1.5
2nd
15
year


Appendix Table 1 (continued)
Crop

(MAD)1
(for ET 5 mm/day)

(m)
Pineapple
0.50
0.3-0.6
Rubber Trees
0.40
1.0-1.5
Sugarcane
0.65
1.2-2.0
- Table or Raisin
1.0-2.0
0.35
- Wine
1.0-2.0
0.45
0.70
0.5-1.0
- 70% canopy
1.2-1.5
0.50
- 50% canopy
1.1-1.5
0.50
- 20% canopy
0.8-1.1
0.50
L.
Grapes
Grapes
M. Fruit trees
Avocado
Citrus
The values for MAD apply for ETc 5 mm day-1, which can be adjusted for different ETc
according to: MAD = MADTable + 0.04 (5 ETc ); where MAD is expressed as a fraction and ETc as
mm day-1.
The larger values for RZD are for soils having no significant layering or other characteristics that
can restrict rooting depth. The smaller values must be used for irrigation scheduling and the
larger values for modeling soil water stress or for rainfed conditions.
Sugar beets often experience late afternoon wilting in arid climates even at MAD< 0.55, with
usually only minor impact on sugar yield.
16


Lect 5 - Irrigation Scheduling

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Lect 5 - Irrigation Scheduling

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AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

1st Semester, SY 2016-2017

Application of Right Amount at the Right Time

Considered as good agriculture practice (GAP), irrigation scheduling is a fine-tuning

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Under-application of irrigation water results to drought stress and inhibits crop

Irrigation Scheduling Methods

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Figure 2. Parts of a tensiometer

This range indicates a nearly saturated soil and often occurs

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

This range indicates field capacity. Discontinue irrigation in

Readings 70 and higher:

An electrical resistance meter determines soil water by measuring the electrical

Calculation Method for Determining Irrigation Schedule

Inasmuch as irrigation scheduling requires knowledge of the soil-water-plant relationships

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Figure 3. Schematic diagram of terminologies and concepts on irrigation scheduling

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

MADAdj = MADTable + 0.04 (5 ETc)

the adjusted MAD is limited to 0.1< MAD Adj <0.8,

RAM = MADAdj x TAM

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

dRAM = [(FC Pw) / 100] (As) (RZD)

dRAM is the depth of readily available moisture (same unit of RZD),

Figure 4. Proportion of moisture absorption at various root depths

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Iiday = dRAM / ETc

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

TAM = (12 + 16) / 2 =

Solve for ETc at

ETc (ini) = 0.32 (3.4) =

Using Eq. 2, solve for

MADAdj (ini) = MADTable + 0.04 (5 ETc) = 0.20 +

Using Eq. 3, solve for

RAM (ini) = MADAdj x TAM = (0.356) (0.14) x 100 =

From Table 1, field

Using Eq. 4, solve for

Pw (ini) = FC RAMj = 36 5.0 =

Using Eq. 5, solve for

dRAM (ini) = [(FC Pw) / 100] (As) (RZD) =

Using Eq. 6, solve for

Iiday (ini) = dRAM / ETc = 31.2 / 1.1 =

For direct seeding, about 32 mm depth of irrigation water should be

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Days 21, 28, 35, 42,

For transplanted rice, the paddy should be at saturation point at

1. Why pump irrigation is so important to rainfed agriculture? Discuss in

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE

Gregorio S. Roa, Jr., PhD, RPAE

AE 152 IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE