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Water (General)

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Irrigation Channels

Predicting the optimum time to apply monolayers

 Evaporation water losses from irrigation channels are an important component of total irrigation system losses and could be as much as 12% in the Goulburn Murray channel network. The effectiveness of monolayers has been widely studied in still water storages. This research project investigated the potential of using chemical monolayers on irrigation channels in order to suppress evaporation.

Drip irrigation Special Interest Group members and conference presenters include

Efficient application of irrigation water

NPSI has assisted Irrigation Australia with production of a manual about understanding drip irrigation (above ground and sub surface) and how best to apply it.

Making better use of stored water

Along with the CRC for Irrigation Futures, the CRC for Polymers, and various other parties, NPSI has contributed to knowledge and techniques that will make better use of stored water, including reduction of evaporative loss.

Pictured with Alison McCarthy are Peter Egglestone of Goulburn Murray Water and

Investing in people

Each year NPSI provides summer scholarships enabling several students to gain supervised experience in various aspects of irrigation research. Travel fellowships are also offered. These programs aim to provide experience, expand knowledge and encourage smart young people into careers in irrigation research.

Oxygation researcher Surya Bhattarai

Investing in technology

The Irrigation Australia conference presentations and exhibition showed many advances in applied irrigation technologies.

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Sensor and control system development for autonomous site-specific irrigation

NPSI/IAL Travel Fellowship 2010

The NPSI/IAL Travel Fellowship 2010 aimed to investigate developments toward autonomous site-specific irrigation control systems. Site-specific irrigation systems offer improvements in water use efficiency and crop performance by differentially applying irrigation to the field when and where it is required.

Bruce Cockroft

Soil is a key to boosting irrigation productivity

Food production in Australia can be greatly increased without putting pressure on limited water supplies.

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Guidelines for Managing Soil Structure in Irrigated Vineyards

Update

Good soil structure is essential for healthy, resilient plants because it allows them to develop extensive, active root systems. This promotes efficient use of water and nutrients, encourages biological activity and cushions plants against drought and other hardship.

The general perception of a soil with good structure is that it is well-drained, easy to penetrate and crumbles readily into aggregates of about 1-10 mm that remain intact when they are wet.

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Increasing the Resilience of Eastern Australia Irrigated Farm Businesses

Case Study

This case study looks at trialling retention of corn stubble as an inexpensive way to reduce soil water evaporation.

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Soil Management for Australian Irrigated Agriculture - Orchard Yields

Case Study

This case study looks at improving soil preparation and management to increase orchard yields.