ROLE OF SURFACE ALTERNATIVE IRRIGATION IN WATER MANAGEMETN OF CORN

Two fiefd experiments were carried out during summer seasons. of 2002 and
2003. at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr EI-Sheikh. Egypt. Three
treatments, of furrow length 30. 40 and 50 m, were studied under two surface
irrigation methods; traditional and alternative. Data showed that. both water advance
time and recession time were increased under traditional furrow irrigation. white
opportunity time decreased under alternative irrigation.
The results also revealed that, the applied irrigation water amount was less
under altemative method. Values of amount were 2673. 2727 and 2856 mJ/fed. for
30, 40 and 50 m furrow lengths. under alternate irrigation. While these values were
3177,3282 and 3378, under traditional irrigation. for the studied lengths, respectively.
Water application efficiency (Ea), was higher under the alternative
technique. The average values of (Ea), for traditional irrigation method were 60.2.
64.3 and 59%. The corresponding vatues for alternate irrigation method were 77.5,
86.3 and 80.3% under furrow length of 30.40 and 50 m respectively. Average values
of water use efficiency (WUE), for altemative irrigation method were 1.34, 1.40 and
1.3 I<g/m³under 30, 40 an 50 m furrow length respectively. Meanwhile, correspondin~
values under traditional irrigation method were 1.06, 1.07 and 1.00 kg/m,
respectively.