Evaluation of Alfa Alfa water productivity under center pivot irrigation system at New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, Sudan

Abstract

This study was conducted under center pivot irrigation systems at the farm of Authority of Merowe Dam Area for Agricultural Development (AMDAD) in New Hamdab Scheme, Northern State, during November, 2011 to December, 2012. The objectives of this study were to assess and evaluate the water productivity of alfalfa under the center pivot irrigation system in desert areas. Operation hours (O.H) and fuel consumption (F.C) were calculated for thirteenth cuts, applied water (AW) was measured using flow meter and then the observed forage yield was sampled and weight in the field in (ton/ha). The results showed that there was a variation in operation hours (hr/ha), applied water (m3/ha) and forage yield (kg/ha), which was affected the water productivity (kg/m3) of alfalfa. The results showed that the water productivity (WP) was 0.46, 0.33, 0.43 and 0.48 kg/ m3 for center pivot number one, two, three and four, respectively. The mean average of water productivity was 0.42 kg/m3. Generally, the water productivity values were below the recorder value (Steduto et al.,2012). However, since the applied water was not equally distributed at all centers, this resulted in poor forage yield. From these results it could be recommended that alfalfa should be irrigated according to its water requirements using proper irrigation schedule.