International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 7 pages. © International Scholars Journals                           

Full Length Research Paper

Irrigation wastewater and heavy metals in agricultural soils of Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo, Mexico

Jazmin C. Repper, R. Pavel Martinez, Aleida J Rueda and A.L Alonso

Postgrado de Hidrociencias, Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, Carretera México Texcoco, km 36.5. C.P. 56230, Texcoco, México.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: jasminreppergmail.com.

Accepted 28 September, 2011

Abstract

Agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater pose a significant risk in the accumulation of heavy metals, a problem that affects agriculture and human health. An investigation was conducted on the concentration of heavy metals in agricultural soils and wastewater used for irrigation in plots of Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo. It analyzed the potential of hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and total extractable heavy metals in water and soil: As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Heavy metals were determined by using an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Perkin Elmer Optima 5300 (Inductively Coupled Plasma), using the methods recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and APHA (American Public Health Association). The study was conducted in November 2009. The sampling was conducted in two replications for both soils and wastewater. It compared the concentration of heavy metals with the criterion of Norma Oficial Mexicana-001-ECOL-1996. Based on these results, the concentration of extractable metals in agricultural soils of Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo, was presented in the following order: Pb > Ni > Cd > As > Cr > Hg. Water for agricultural irrigation did not present problems for use based on the concentration of As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Cr and Zn. However, lead concentration exceeded the maximum permissible limits in 40% of water samples analyzed. Considering the limits established in Spain, the concentrations of As, Ni and Cd exceeded permissible levels in 20, 60 and 60% respectively, of the samples analyzed.

Key words: Heavy metals, agricultural soil, maximum permissible limits.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 6 pages. © International Scholars Journals                           

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of health hazards associated with wastewater irrigation in Yola Adamawa State, Nigeria

Brine N. Bibonga, Drambi Joseph, Emmanuel A.A Omatsogunwa and Timidigi J. George

Department of Agricultural Sciences, School of Agriculture and Agriculture Technology, Federal University of Technology Minna,, Niger State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 June, 2014

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the health risks from the use of wastewater for irrigation to ensure a sustainable and safer agricultural production. Samples of wastewater and lettuce wash-water were analyzed to determine the faecal coliform count and the presence of helminth eggs. Besides, the opinion of the public was seeked through the use of questionnaire. The data collected were analysed using some statistical analysis (ANOVA), correlation analysis and simple statistics. The result shows that there were significant differences (p ≥ 0.05) among the faecal coliform counts in the wastewater of the study area. However, in the case of the lettuce wash-water, there were no significant differences (P ≥ 0.05) among the values of the faecal coliform in the area except that of Bajabure which differed significantly from the rest. The result also shows that there was no correlation (r = - 0.15) between the faecal coliform in the wastewater and that in the lettuce wash-water. Helthminth eggs were found to be present in some of the wastewater and the lettuce wash-water of the study area.

Key words: Wastewater, health risk, coliform, helminth, irrigation, lettuce.

Key words: Drip-irrigation, jujube, crop coefficients.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 8 pages. © International Scholars Journals                           

Full Length Research Paper

The results of irrigation schemes on input use and yields of sugarbeet in Central Anatolia, Turkey

Ferhat A. Elik and Sinan D. Demirel

Department of Agricultural Economics, Adana Science and Technology University, Adana, Turkey.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 June, 2014

Abstract

Today, global climate change and the decrease in ground and surface water sources have increased the importance of the rational and economic use of water as a scarce resource. The selection of irrigation systems in the cultivation of agricultural products is also very important. In this study, sugarbeet which is one of the first established agricultural industries, forms the basis of contract-based production, constitutes a substantial share of farmers income, and requires a great amount of water during its growing stage is examined. The effects of irrigation systems on cost, productivity and level of input use are examined within the scope of Central Anatolia in Turkey where sugarbeet is grown on the largest scale. A comparative calculation is made for irrigation methods widely used in the region, such as sprinkler, furrow and with its increase in recent years, drip irrigation to determine their effect on input use, productivity level and profit in sugarbeet production. It is found that drip irrigation in sugarbeet production allows for saving in input use more than sprinkler and furrow irrigation systems, and that it increases productivity and profit. The spread of especially drip irrigation in sugarbeet production has increased the economic use of water and profitability, through savings in input and reduction of costs.

Key words: Sugarbeet, irrigation, input, net income, Turkey.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 5 pages. © International Scholars Journals                           

Full Length Research Paper

Growth of a low-cost tensiometer driven irrigation control unit and assessment of its aptness for irrigation of lychee trees in the uplands of Northern Thailand in a participatory approach

Pokky F. Lanla, Sinmon Za and Jeerasak J. Chaipaet

Department of Irrigation Management and Drainage Engineering, Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University, Thailand.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 09 July, 2014

Abstract

In upland areas of Northern Thailand, lychee (Litchi chinensis, Sonn.) is one of the predominant fruit crops. Fruit development takes place during the dry season (January until June). Therefore, high lychee yields can only be obtained under irrigation. As water is an increasingly scarce resource in the hillsides, strategies for more efficient water use are fundamental for a sustainable increase in agricultural production. An Automatic Tensio Control (ATC) unit was developed to use soil matric potential to open and close the inlet valve of a micro-irrigation lateral. In order to test the functioning of the ATC in the field, four different irrigation regimes have been tested in cooperation with local farmers on 10 year old lychee trees on a commercial orchard in Mae Sa Mai, close to Chiang Mai, Thailand. Testing the ATC on station and under field conditions, it has proven its reliability in maintaining a favorable moisture regime in the soil. The irrigated lychee trees responded to ATC irrigation with a higher yield and higher fruit weight compared to the other treatments. ATC works without electric components, so that it can be operated in areas without electricity. Furthermore, it is assembled from cheap and simple materials. Thus, it can be easily copied and adapted to different agro-ecological and socio-economic environments.

Key words: Litchi chinensis, automatic irrigation, appropriate technology, soil moisture.

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management Volume (2014), 8 pages. © International Scholars Journals                           

Full Length Research Paper

Assessment of organization shift of irrigation scheme in Düzce valley situated in Western Black Sea Region of Turkey

Ali Çetin

Department of Agricultural Sciences, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.Email: [email protected]

Accepted 04 May, 2014

Abstract

Management transfer of Düzce irrigation scheme was evaluated using appropriate performance indicators and the effects of farmers' opinions on water using and agricultural effectiveness. The results of the analysis indicated that the transfer process was not useful for farmers generally. Transfer management had no effect on sufficiency, equality, and irrigation time. However, maintenance of irrigation channels has gone better even though yet to be improved. Transfer affected management interest in the farmers' wish and suggestion positively, and farmers trusted the irrigation association. But, it is still needed that irrigation association should work on water distribution in the district. The irrigation association should repair the existing ones and construct new irrigation and drainage channel in the scheme network and organize meetings how to increase higher performance of irrigation management for farmers.

Key words: Irrigation, irrigation system performance, irrigation management transfer, Düzce irrigation scheme.