Analysis and Design of Furrow Irrigation Systems

Application efficiency is the primary criterion for furrow irrigation system design and management. In this study, the application efficiency function of a furrow irrigation system is analyzed. The application efficiency function is unimodal with respect to inlet flow rate and furrow length. Optimality conditions are derived for the cases in which application efficiency is a function of either furrow length or flow rate. Simple and sufficiently accurate equations and design and management rules are developed.