The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2018, Volume 64 Issue 4 (15.12.2018)
| Year : | 2018 |
| Volume : | 64 |
| Issue : | 4 (15.12.2018) |
| Authors : | Marija MARKOČ, Milica ČOLOVIĆ,Gamal Abd Elnasser ALLAM, Shawkat BASEL and Qotada AL-ALI |
| Title : | DESIGN OF LARGE SCALE ON-DEMAND IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN THE AGRICULTURAL AREA OF CORATO, APULIA, ITALY |
| Abstract : | The objective of this project was to design a collective, on-demand irrigation network for an agricultural area near Corato, province of Bari, Apulia region, southern Italy. For this purpose, a study integrating agronomic, engineering, economic and environmental aspects has been conducted. The goal was to evaluate the ability to supply agricultural lands with irrigation water in order to cover the cropping pattern requirements in this district during the peak period of a dry year. After collecting and processing the climatic data for 30 years period, as well soil characteristics, crop water requirements have been determined. Besides that, modelling tool CROPWAT generated curves of yield response to different amounts of irrigation applied. The most optimal cropping pattern is chosen in socio-economic part through a predictive model, consisting of 3 annual (watermelon, tomato, lettuce) and 3 permanent crops (peach, grapevine, olive). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis have been done in order to avoid future risk and to predict farmers’ behaviour. The irrigation network was designed based on the specific continuous discharge (0.422 ls-1ha-1) which was computed on GIR values for the peak month of the dry year. A layout of the distribution network is computed by Geographical Information System (GIS) including reservoir, main pipelines, secondary pipelines, nodes, 38 hydrants with a module of 5 ls-1 and 23 hydrants with a module of 10 ls-1. Several tools (air and relief valves, control gates) are included in the network as well. Optimization model was used in order to calculate pipe diameter and their length (13271.7 m). In addition, storage reservoir was designed, as well as pumping station with 4 horizontal and 2 submerged pumps and pressurized regulating tank that controls opening and closure of the pumps. Cost and benefit analysis showed that the project is cost-effective on social basis and will fully recover its investment in two years, with an economic rate of return of 129%. An environmental impact assessment was conducted for the project and neighbouring area and it showed that they are not affected negatively. In addition, good management and monitoring practices to minimize the potential negative environmental impact are required and proposed for long-term sustainability of the irrigation project. |
| For citation : | Markoč, M., Čolović, M., Allam, G. A. E., Basel, S., Al-Ali, Q. (2018): Design of large scale on-demand irrigation system in the agricultural area of Corato, Apulia, Italy. Agriculture and Forestry, 64 (4): 89-103. DOI:10.17707/AgricultForest.64.4.11 |
| Keywords : | irrigation, hydrant, discharge, crop water requirements, precipitation, yield, groundwater |
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