ESTIMATION OF YIELD RESPONSES TO OPERATION ALTERNATIVES IN SMALL DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Experimental evaluation of drip irrigation systems, as those operated in eastern Almería, is a part of the present paper. Water applied by drippers fits well to the gaussian distribution function. A good uniformity was achieved. Thus, fraction of useful water, relative to gross water application (i. e. irrigation efficiency) might be high.

Irrigation performance is discussed by relating parameters characterizing water efficiency and estimated yield with the time of irrigation. A sensibility analysis of water efficiency and deficit is complemented with an estimation of relative yield based on the production function concept. The amount of water applied is referred as a fraction of the water demand. The expected yield response is shown as a function of the irrigation time.

The theoretical and experimental basis of this research sustain an operative method to manage small drip irrigation systems. These are typical of greenhouse units. Suggested criteria are thus reasonably general.