Technical evaluation of implemented drip irrigation systems in the gardens of Golestan Province

Today, due to the decrease in water resources, the authorities intend to increase application of modern irrigation systems in farms and gardens. Therefore, evaluation and monitoring of drip irrigation systems are performed with the goal of improving systems performance. For this study, 20 samples of implemented drip irrigation systems in different cities of Golestan province have been studied in 2011-2012. The evaluation has been performed based on the guideline of Soil Conservation Service (SCS). Measurements in any field were included pressure and discharge of emitters, check the status of the central control, applied water, wetted area, water quality and talk to farmers about the state of the system strategy. The results showed that average amounts of emission uniformity (EU), statistical uniformity coefficient (UC), efficiency reduction factor (ERF), potential application efficiency of low quarter (PELQ) and application efficiency of low quarter (AELQ) were 79. 85, 90, 65 and 73%, respectively showing that the performance of drip irrigation systems is average. In general, the main problems of drip irrigation systems in the province can be classified in four main categories based on, design, implementation, management and operation of social and natural division, in each of which the most important are design and improper implementation, lack of cleaning filters, clogging and improper number of emitters, not-adjustment of inlet valve on manifold, inappropriate pressure and its nonuniform distribution, low wetted area and extreme weakness in operation management by the users.