Comparative Evaluation of localized Irrigation System (Bubbler) and Surface Irrigation (Basin) of Palm Trees: The Case Study of Bastak Region of Hormozgan Province

Facing to drought in recent years has lead to focus on promoting the use of localized irrigation in the country. Due to the shortage of available water resources, farmers have also realized the need to use a drip irrigation system. Monitoring and evaluation of existing and operating systems is of particular importance that can prevent the waste of capital and achieve the main goals of the application of pressurized irrigation systems. Date is one of the garden products that play an important role in food security and national economy. Hence the purpose of this research is technical and hydraulic evaluation of the performance of localized irrigation system (bubbler) on palm trees located in Bastak city in Hormozgan province and also comparing water productivity of this method with the basin irrigation system, which is common in this area. For this purpose, two farms were selected and evaluation parameters were determinrd by measuring the flow rate and pressure of the bubblers in two stages. According to the results of this study, the potential application efficiency of low quarter (PELQ) and actual efficiency application of low quarter (AELQ), which represent the overall performance of the localized irrigation system (bubbler), were 29.21% and 32.44% on March 2019, and 32.64% and 36.26% on June 2019, respectively. Therefore, the performance of proposed irrigation system was evaluated to be in a poor condition. By training the operator to wash the filtration system properly and timely and to contorol the semi-main pipe valves adjustment, the performance of the localized irrigation system can improve. Water productivity of the date cultivar Khanizi was 0.18 kg/m3 for the garden irrigated with basin surface irrigation method. However, it was 0.33 kg/m3 for the garden irrigated with bubbler system. Therefore, the bubbler irrigation system had a higher water efficiency in comparison to the surface irrigation. The results showed due to lack of training to operator, absence of design engineer at the project site, lack of accurate information from the project site and also the lack of proper supervision over the implementation of the drip irrigation system, the performance of the system has not been at an acceptable level.