Performance Automation Controller of Drip Irrigation Systems Using Saline Water for Wheat Yield and Water Productivity in Egypt

AbstractThe use of automation controllers for irrigation systems using saline water in irrigated agriculture, as a means of its disposal, was evaluated in a field experiment that was conducted in three successful seasons (2012, 2013, and 2014) at sites at the National Research Center (NRC) farm, Egypt. The purpose of the research was to study the effect of injected saline water (0, 15, and 30%), using three automation controller drip irrigation systems [surface drip (SD) and subsurface drip at both 10-cm (SSD10) and 20-cm (SSD20) soil depths] on the vegetative growth and water productivity (WP) of a wheat variety (Triticum aestivum L. CV. Gemmaiza 9). The results showed that subsurface drip irrigation (SSD20) has a preemptive effect on both wheat grain and straw yield, and the percentage of the increase was 7.11 and 6.12%, respectively, as compared with an automation controller (SD) irrigation system. Additionally, the percentage of the increase was 1.68 and 1.83% compared between automation controller (SSD20) and both (SSD10; SD) irrigation systems for grain and straw yield, respectively. Increasing water salinity to 14.82% reduced WP and straw 11.62 and 16.23%. The reductions were 37.52 and 39.79% of saline water, and 30.23% for same sequences. Responses of wheat growth to water deficits vary depending on the wheat species and growth stages of the plants being used. A highly positive correlation coefficient was attained among wheat plant characteristics, except for water consumption during the growing season of the wheat plant.