Evaluation of Date Palm Irrigation Systems in Bushehr and Determination of the Best Irrigation System Using AHP Approach

In recent years, application of pressurized irrigation systems in palm fields has increased. The objective of this study was to evaluate the irrigation systems and determine the best irrigation system for date palm trees in Iran. In order to achieve this purpose, the methodology of the study was defined in the form of water consumption measurement, evaluation of the efficiency of the irrigation systems, and produce a decision making model. In this study, effective technical- executive criteria to Irrigation system selection 39.1, economic criteria 8.9, social criteria 21.0, operation and maintenance criteria 19.9 and environmental criteria 11.0 percent in determining the best system played a role. According to the multi criteria decision-making model in Bushehr, the bubbler irrigation system is found to be the most suitable system. In those conditions that the bubbler irrigation system cannot implemented, replacing the traditional flood irrigation system with alternate furrow irrigation system would result in lower use of water. Results of the bubbler irrigation systems evaluation in Dashtestan district showed that the lowest irrigation efficiency is equal to 36.6 percent and the average value is 56.5 percent, the lowest irrigation efficiency is equal to 31.4 percent and the average value is 57.8 percent in Tangestan district, and the lowest irrigation efficiency in Jam district is equal to 40.1 percent and the average is 65.2 percent.