Investigating the effect of slope, furrow length and discharge on the use efficiency and water storage efficiency in the irrigation of sugarcane fields

Furrow irrigation is one of the most common and suitable methods of surface irrigation that is used in the fields of Mirzakochek Khan Sugarcane Company in the southwest of Khuzestan. Considering the problems that sugarcane companies have recently had due to the water resources scarcity, increasing the efficiency of surface irrigation systems with the aim of reducing water supply from Karun River is necessary. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of slope, furrow length and discharge on water application (Ea) and storage efficiencies (Es) as split-split plots and randomized complete blocks design with three replications from August 2018 to September 2019 in one of the farms of Mirza Kochakh Khan Company. This study was carried out with three treatments, each at three levels, including: slope of 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06%, length of 150, 200 and 250 meters and flow rate of 2, 2.5 and 3 l/s. Ea was obtained between 64.7% and 77.4% and Es between 65.2% and 100%. The highest Ea was corresponded to a slope of 0.04%, a flow rate of 2 l/s and a length of 250 meters. The highest Es was corresponded to the slopes of 0.04 and 0.06%, flow rate of 2 l/s and the length of 250 meters. Consequently, the slope of 0.04%, the flow rate of 2 l/s and the length of 250 meters are sujestted for furrow irrigation system of the sugarcane lands in the south of Ahvaz due to the optimal value of Ea and Es.