Evaluating Irrigation Efficiency

Jensen, Marvin E. (1967) Evaluating Irrigation Efficiency. Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 95(IRI):83-98.

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Abstract

Irrigated agriculture is and has been the largest user of fresh water, but
it also has been accused of being an inefficient and uneconomical user. A major
part of the water used by irrigated agriculture is vaporized (evapotranspiration),
in contrast to other uses that do not "consume" water. Evapotranspiration
is largely controlled by meteorological conditions when adequate water is provided,
and a full crop canopy exists. Significant reductions in evapotranspiration,
without corresponding yield reductions, on the bulk of the 44,000,000 acres
of irrigated land in the United States is possible, but is not economically
feasible now (in 1967), or in the near future. In contrast, significant reductions
in canal seepage, deep percolation, runoff, and operational wastes may be
economically feasible now.
The agricultural industry has, during the past two decades, increased its
efficiency of producing food and fiber per unit of water vaporized by using better
crop varieties, insect control, improved irrigation and agronomic practices,
and inorganic fertilizers. Further increases are possible and are being
developed through research, but additional increases are not expected to be
proportionally as great as those that have occurred during the past quarter
century (since the 1940's).

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0068
Additional Information:	Closure: Proceedings of the American Society of Civil Engineers 95(IRI):213-214, 1969.
Subjects:	Practical farm efficiency Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:58
Last Modified:	25 Oct 2016 18:06
Item ID:	1208
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/1208