Session 3: Cereals can be conducted well under drip irrigation: trials results in the irrigated area of Haouz (Morocco)

Released	13/05/2008
Geographical coverage	Morocco

De : ANAFIDE [mailto:lanoebenchokroun@hotmail.com]
Envoyé : samedi 3 mai 2008 13:11
À : economie d'eau
Objet : [economie-eau] Session 3: Cereals can be conducted well under drip
irrigation: trials results in the irrigated area of Haouz (Morocco)

Dear participants,

Mr. Ouzine Lacen, Head of Service of irrigation and drainage networks management in the Regional Agency of Irrigation and Agricultural Development of Haouz (ORMVAH) in Morocco contributes to session 3 of the conference by a significant paper about the results of two trials carried out by ORMVAH on winter cereals under drip irrigation. These trials show, contrary to what is known, that these crops adapt well to drip irrigation with a water valorization exceeding 4 Dh/m 3.

This will allow farmers practicing vegetables under drip irrigation to make a crop rotation including winter cereals without having to change irrigation mode.
 
Summary :
 
First, the author underlines the objectives of two trials carried out by ORMVAH about winter cereals under drip irrigation: (i) to allow farmers practicing vegetables under drip irrigation to make a crop rotation including winter cereals without having to change irrigation mode; and (ii) to assess water saving and economic results permitted by drip irrigation of winter cereals.
 
Trial conducted in the irrigation techniques center of Sâada:

Trial schedule: surface:  3000 m2, period: December at May, soil:
silty-clay, previous crop: tomato, irrigation technique: integrated drippers
(1 m   X  0.5 m, 2 l/h under 1 bar), fertilizers: NPK, water supply:
effective rain 129 mm, irrigation 300 mm with pre-irrigation, and finally crop treatment: chemical weed control.

 Results: grain yield: 82 q/ha, straw yield 233 bunches/ha, production cost:
9820 Dh/ha, production value: 23296 Dh/ha, gross margin: 13470 Dh/ha, water
valorization: 4.49 Dh/m3.   
 
Trial carried out at one farmer in Aït Ourir:

Trial schedule: surface:  9 400 m2, soil: balanced texture, previous crop:
cereal, irrigation technique: integrated drippers (1 m   X  0.4 m, 2 l/h
under 1 bar), fertilizers: NPK, irrigation:  287 mm.  

Results: grain yield: 66 q/ha, straw yield 400 bunches /ha, production cost:
9300 Dh/ha, production value: 21300 Dh/ha, gross margin: 12000 Dh/ha, water
valorization: 4.18 Dh/m3.   
 
As conclusion, these first trials appear encouraging as to economic results and the possibility for farmers practicing vegetables under drip irrigation to make a crop rotation (vegetables-cereals) whose advantages are obvious.

Moreover, they can be improved (choice of varieties having a better potential of production and advance of the sowing date).  
 
To download this communication, please click on the following link:
 
http://www.dgroups.org/groups/fao/economie-eau/index.cfm?op=dsp_resource_details&resource_id=47376&cat_id=22225
 
Sincerely yours.
 
The Moderator.

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