COMPARISON BETWEEN CONTINUOUS AND SURGE FLOW IRRIGATION IN BORDERS AND FURROWS (SEGRE BASIN, SPAIN)

Six furrow trials and two border trials were carried out to compare surge and continuous irrigation. Some indicators were determined to compare both types of irrigation. One needed the infiltration function and others did not. The Infiltration function for different surges was determined with a volume balance technique.

No significant differences were observed in furrow irrigation with high input discharges. There was a saving of 21% of total advance time in the first season border irrigation with surge, but no difference for following irrigation events. For these soil conditions it is recommended to use surge irrigation only for the first season irrigation.

A significant reduction in the infiltration rate was measured with surges.