Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
20.1 INTRODUCTION
According to the limited water resources of 55.5 billion-m 3 /year in Egypt from
the River Nile, the required demand for reclamation more land, to facilitate the fast
growing population climate, must use more efficient irrigation systems and tech-
nique than that of the traditional surface one.
Nowadays, all concerned with irrigation must plan to use more modifi ed irrigation
methods. Hence increasing water use effi ciency through decreasing water losses, plant
selection and fertilization is one of the important factors in irrigation policy. In addi-
tion, increasing fertilizers use effi ciency through fertigation may increase both plant
yield and water use effi ciency.
Most of the agricultural land in the Valley (Wadi and Delta) of the River Nile in
Egypt are mainly irrigated by using surface irrigation method, with an irrigation ef-
fi ciency of less than 40%. Therefore, one will save irrigation water and fertilizer using
the more developed irrigation methods and systems to replace the surface irrigation
Grape is the second major fruit crops in Egypt and it is the fourth crop of high
potentiality for export. World production is 64.4 million tons and the total area is 7.6
million-hectare (8.5 tons/ha). The total grape production in Egypt is 1.196 million
tons. The grape area in the Wadi valley occupies 50% of total area. In 2004 it reached
about 155,743 Feddans.
This chapter discusses the response of grapevines (var. Thomposon seedless) and
attributed changes in some soil physical and chemical properties under localized ir-
rigation systems, maximizing water and fertilizers use effi ciencies, and improving the
quality of grape fruits.
20.1.1 IRRIGATIONSYSTEMS
20.1.1.1 DRIPIRRIGATION
In Egypt, the first drip irrigation system was installed and tested in 1975, however, it
was operated at a very low pressure of about 40 cm head [23]. Tsipori and Shimshi [78]
described the drip irrigation as a discharge of a low flow of water from small diameter
orifices connected to, or a part of distribution tubing's situated on above or immedi-
ately below the soil surface. Nakayama and Bucks [64] defined trickle irrigation as
a slow application of water on above or beneath the soil by surface drip, subsurface
drip, bubbler spray, mechanical-move, or pulse systems. Water is applied as discrete
or continuous drops, tiny screams, or miniature spray through emitters or applicators
placed along a water delivery line near the plant. Larry [53] described the drip irriga-
tion system as the frequent slow application of water onto the land surface or into the
root-zone of crop. He stated also that drip irrigation encompasses several methods of
irrigation, including drip, surface, and spray and bubbler irrigation system.
Hillel [39] mentioned that several problems have been encountered in the me-
chanics of applying water with drip equipment for some soils, water qualities, and
environmental conditions. Some of the more important possible disadvantages of drip
irrigation compared with other irrigation methods include: 1) emitter clogging, 2) ro-
dent or other animal damage, 3) salt accumulation near plant, 4) inadequate soil water
 
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