A synergetic system to produce sugarcane using surface irrigation

作者：Lecler N L^*

来源：International Sugar Journal, 2016, 118(1413): 674-676.

• irrigation efficiency
• surface irrigation
• sugarcane
• farming systems
• energy
• economics

In 2008, a novel irrigation system, named 'automated short furrow'(ASF) was developed and implemented in a 0.6 ha trial at the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Ukulinga research farm. ASF was shown to have potential to be a relatively low cost, efficient and easy to manage irrigation system.Further development and testing was required before it could be easily adopted by commercial growers. The purpose of the project described in this paper was to further develop, refine and test ASF and associated sugarcane farming systems for implementation in a commercial environment. In the current project, a unique and synergetic production system for sugarcane was developed using surface irrigation similar to ASF. The new system, as described in this paper, permitted efficient use of mechanical equipment and precise low energy surface irrigation, even on relatively shallow soils. The system was demonstrated at the Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station. At the demonstration site, water use productivity (WUP) was 2.72 tons of estimated recoverable crystal (ERC) per mega litre (ML) of irrigation water applied. This WUP was exceptionally high relative to even the better performing plant-cane fields in the surrounding area. In an industry and country where water supplies are limited, the WUP value obtained at the demonstration site showed a potential to permit a substantial reduction in water withdrawals or a major expansion of the irrigated area using existing water supplies.

• 出版日期2016-9