| Author | Rasheed, Sarmad |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Water Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The sustainable management of drip irrigation systems aims towards an efficient use of different inputs and resources like energy, water and finance, but drip irrigation systems may, gradually become less efficient due to the use of inferior quality water, fertigation and poor management. This study was conducted to investigate the performance of drip irrigation systems using drip line and drip tape and to compare them in technical and economic terms, as well as to evaluate their impact on GHG emission. Seventy drip irrigation systems that use drip line (higher wall thickness) and were installed between seven years ago to one year ago, and ten systems with drip tape on cucumber plantations were evaluated. To evaluate their performance, emitter discharge measurements were done at selected locations of the drip lines and drip tapes. From the results of the emitter discharge data, the coefficient of variation (Cv), Emission uniformity (Eu), Uniformity coefficient (Uc), and Discharge variation (qv) were studied. The results reveal that there is a significant decrease in emitter discharge with age. It was also noticed from the results that emitter discharge reduction at the lateral end was higher compared to the head and middle, locations. Emitter discharge reduction rates at the lateral head, middle and end are 0.640 %, 1.17 %, and 1.69 % per year, respectively. The analysis of the performance results shows a 1.21 % per year decrease in emitter discharge and 3.45 % decrease in uniformity coefficient. The performance evaluation results of drip irrigation systems using drip tape were also found to be technically sound. A survey was conducted on selected drip irrigation systems to identify the factors affecting performance. Farmers were interviewed regarding the operation and maintenance practices of their drip irrigation systems. Statistical analysis was carried out on the information gathered through the surveys. The use of mixed (incompatible) fertilizers and the lack of acid treatments are found to be significant factors affecting the performance of the systems. The flushing of laterals was also found to be statistically significant. An environmental analysis was carried out to analyze the impact of the performances on GHG emission through irrigation. We observed an increase in GHG emission at 0.0813 t CO2 e/ha/year due to diesel usage and 0.056 t CO2 e/ha/year due to electricity from one to seven years’ age of the systems. The water productivity analysis results show water productivity to be 29.03 kg /m3 for DI systems that are one year old and 27.21 kg/m3 for systems that are seven years old, with a decreasing rate of 0.321 kg/m3. Drip irrigation systems using drip tape have water productivity of 28.27 kg/m3 for cucumber crop.
The net present value of future returns was discounted using the prevailing rate of interest. The B-C ratio analysis was carried out on the net present value under different life scenarios for both alternatives. The results from the B-C ratio analysis were evaluated on the basis of GHG emission due to the production of laterals during the assumed life of drip line and drip tape under different scenarios.
Drip lines were found to be the best option to continue unless drip tapes’ life of two years is not ensured. It was found that for better economic benefits and less GHG emission arising due to the manufacturing of a lateral line, the maximum life of a drip line should be ensured. For the longevity and sustainable life of drip lines, an effective follow-up and evaluation program must be initiated.
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| Year | 2018 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Babel, Mukand S.;Soni, Peeyush ; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shresth, Sangam;Datta, Avishek ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | World Bank/ Punjab Agriculture Department, Pakistan ; |