Productivity of water and energy use of potato in sprinkler irrigation systems ( Case study: Dehgolan Plain, Kurdistan Province)

IntroductionAgriculture, while being a supplier of energy, is also its most important consumer. Agriculture is also the largest consumer of water. The optimal use of the two main inputs of agriculture, namely water and energy resources, in the agricultural sector is one of the important priorities of the country's water and agriculture industry (Ahmad & Khan, 2009). One of the most important programs for agricultural development in the country should be to increase the productivity of water and energy consumption. So far, about 2.9 million hectares in Iran have been covered by pressurized irrigation systems, which has led to an improvement in the water productivity index from 0.87 kg/m3 in 2005 to 1.32 kg/m3 in 2015, and the target is 1.6 kg/m3 in 2025. The Dehgolan plain, with an area of 84,982 square kilometers, is located to the east of the city of Sanandaj. The Dehgolan prohibited aquifer is the only source of agricultural water in the region. The solid set sprinkler irrigation system is the most common irrigation system in the region, and in some areas, farmers also use the wheel-move sprinkler irrigation system. In addition, due to the annual decline in the groundwater level, the energy consumption for pumping water has also increased; therefore, it seems necessary to study the water productivity indices as well as the electricity consumption efficiency and the total energy consumption in the mentioned plain. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the water and energy productivity indices of the important potato crop in farmers' fields, with solid set sprinkler and wheel-move sprinkler irrigation systems. In addition, an attempt was made to study both electricand diesel fuel sources.MethodologyA study involving 19 farms with a combined area of 177 hectares investigated water and energy use in irrigation systems. The farms were divided into three categories: solid set sprinkler systems with mobile sprinklers powered by electricity (CE), solid set sprinkler systems with mobile sprinklers powered by diesel fuel (CD), and wheel move sprinkler systems powered by electricity (WE). To measure flow rate, an ultrasonic flow meter was used on each farm. Electricity consumption data was obtained from the regional electricity company at the conclusion of the irrigation season. Farms using diesel-powered pumps had their monthly diesel consumption documented. The yield was alsomeasured by sampling method. other necessary and complementary information a