Response of sugar beet to non-uniform irrigation

A field experiment was conducted using a linear-move irrigation machine to test the interactive effects of irrigation uniformity, a representative length of nonuniformity and water quality on crop yield and growth responses. Christiansen's uniformity coefficient values of 60, 80, and 90% were achieved with a sinusoidal pattern of applied water superimposed on the 60 and 80% uniformity treatments. Two wave-lengths 2.4 m (S) and 4.9 m (L), were used. Water qualities used were: 0.3 dS m^-1 and 3 to 5 dS m^-1. Results showed that both the magnitude and the scale of the nonuniformity affect the water use efficiency. Sugar yields were not affected by water quality. Yields on a row basis were significantly correlated to applied water in the 60% uniformity, long scale length (60-L) treatment.