Modelo balístico para estimar a distribuição de gotículas aplicadas por microaspersores

A determinação experimental dos diâmetros de gotas em sistemas de microaspersão é trabalhosa e demorada. Essa determinação pode, entretanto, ser obtida empregando-se modelos balísticos. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar valores medidos experimentalmente com valores simulados de diâmetros de gotas aplicadas por microaspersores. Os dados experimentais foram obtidos empregando-se o método da farinha. As simulações foram realizadas usando o modelo balístico adotado pelo programa computacional SIRIAS. Os diâmetros médios de gotas determinados experimentalmente variaram entre 0,30 mm e 1,30 mm, enquanto que os simulados ficaram entre 0,28 mm e 1,06 mm. As maiores diferenças entre valores medidos e simulados foram registradas nas maiores distâncias em relação ao microaspersor. O modelo apresentou um desempenho classificado como ótimo na simulação da distribuição de gotas em microaspersores.Experimental determination of microsprinkler droplets is difficult and time-consuming. This determination, however, could be achieved using ballistic models. The present study aimed to compare simulated and measured values of microsprinkler droplet diameters. Experimental measurements were made using the flour method, and simulations using a ballistic model adopted by the SIRIAS computational software. Drop diameters quantified in the experiment varied between 0.30 mm and 1.30 mm, while the simulated between 0.28 mm and 1.06 mm. The greatest differences between simulated and measured values were registered at the highest radial distance from the emitter. The model presented a performance classified as excellent for simulating microsprinkler drop distribution

Simulação do efeito do vento na distribuição de água em microaspersores

Wind incidence can affect microsprinkler water distribution. Evaluations of those conditions can be facilitated using simulations by computational models. The present work evaluates the performance of a ballistic model on simulating the wind effect on microsprinkler water distribution. Experimental tests were carried out using self-compensating microsprinklers, nozzle sizes 1.00 mm (gray), 1.10 mm (brown), 1.48 mm (orange), and 1.75 mm (yellow). The gray and brown nozzles used black swivels and the orange and yellow nozzles used blue swivels. The wind effect was artificially caused by fourteen 200 W fans. Computational simulations were realized using SIRIAS software, based on a ballistic model originally developed for sprinkler systems. The correlation coefficients (r) varied from 0.619 to 0.880, while the exactness coefficients (d) varied from 0.842 to 0.944. Swivels internal geometry influenced results. Tested models presented performances classified as very good for the black swivel nozzles and regular for the blue swivel nozzles.A incidência de ventos pode afetar a distribuição da água aplicada por microaspersores. As avaliações nessas condições podem ser facilitadas empregando-se simulações através de modelos computacionais. No presente trabalho avaliou-se o desempenho de um modelo balístico para simular o efeito do vento na distribuição de água em microaspersores. Os ensaios experimentais foram realizados com emissores autocompensantes, com diâmetros de bocais iguais a 1,00 mm (cinza), 1,10 mm (marrom), 1,48 mm (laranja) e 1,75 mm (amarelo). Os bocais cinza e marrom operaram com rotor preto e os bocais laranja e amarelo utilizaram rotor azul. O efeito do vento foi provocado artificialmente empregando-se um conjunto de quatorze ventiladores de 200 W de potência. As simulações computacionais foram realizadas empregando-se o programa SIRIAS, que tem por base um modelo balístico originalmente desenvolvido para sistemas de aspersão convencional. Os coeficientes de correlação (r) variaram de 0,619 a 0,880, enquanto os coeficientes de exatidão (d) ficaram entre 0,842 e 0,944. As geometrias internas dos rotores influenciaram os resultados, sendo que o modelo apresentou um classificado como muito bom para os bocais com rotor preto e um desempenho regular para os bocais que trabalharam com rotor azul

Tecnologia da irrigação na África do Sul e no Quênia

This paper reviews various irrigation technologies in both South Africa and Kenya that enable improvements in their socio-economic conditions. The two countries are located in semi-arid areas that experience extreme fluctuations in the availability of rain water for plant growth. Population growth exceeds the ability to produce food in numerous countries around the world and the two countries are not an exception. This experiment examined the constraints that farmers face and the role of government and nongovernmental organization in the uptake of modern technologies for irrigation. Detailed mechanisms and options to secure sustainable irrigation which are economically viable are considered. Despite the higher production of cereals and grains, fruits, and flowers also thrive in the two countries. Total irrigated area, crops grown and irrigation systems used in the two countries are discussed.Este trabalho aborda as tecnologias de irrigação utilizadas na África do Sul e no Quênia que possibilitam melhorias nas suas condições sócio-econômicas. Localizados em regiões semiáridas, esses países estão susceptíveis à extrema flutuação na disponibilidade de precipitação pluviométrica para o desenvolvimento das plantas. O crescimento populacional, como em muitos países, excede à capacidade de produção alimentar. Neste trabalho foram levantados as dificuldades que enfrentam os produtores rurais e o papel do governo e das instituições de pesquisa não governamentais na captação de tecnologias modernas para a irrigação. Detalhados mecanismos de execução e opções para garantir a irrigação sustentável e economicamente viável foram considerados. Apesar da maior produção de cereais e grãos, a fruticultura e a floricultura também prosperam nesses países. A área irrigada total, as culturas beneficiadas e os sistemas de irrigação usados nesses países também foram discutidos

Effect of partial soil wetting on transpiration, vegetative growth and root system of young orange trees

The wetted area fraction is a factor critical to the success of drip irrigation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of partial soil wetting on transpiration, vegetative growth and root system of young orange trees. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse where plants were grown in 0.5 m3boxes internally divided into compartments. The wetting of 12 % of soil area was tested on two types of soil cultivated with ‘Valencia’ orange trees grafted onto Rangpur lime and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstocks. Transpiration was determined in 40 plants. Water extraction and root density were evaluated in the compartments. Transpiration is reduced by restriction in wetted soil area, and such reduction is influenced by the number of days after the beginning of partial irrigation, atmospheric evaporative demand and plant phenological stage. Mean transpiration of plants with partial irrigation was equivalent to 84 % of the mean transpiration of plants with 100 % of wetted soil area in the period studied. However, after 156 days of imposing partial irrigation there was no difference in transpiration between treatments. Plant acclimation was caused by an increase in root concentration in the irrigated area. After a period of acclimation, if the entire root system is wetted, soil water extraction becomes proportional to the percentage of wetted area after a short period of time. Despite the reduction in transpiration, there was no difference between treatments with 12 % and 100 % of wetted soil area in terms of vegetative growth

Simulation of irrigated Thanzania grass growth based on photothermal units, nitrogen fertilization and water availability

A modelagem da produção de forragem com o uso de unidades fototérmicas (UF) foi utilizada com sucesso nos capins elefante cv. Napier, Tanzânia e Brachiaria em condições ótimas de adubação e disponibilidade hídrica. Havendo a necessidade de modelos de produção de forragens para diferentes níveis de adubação e de irrigação. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é propor modelos para o capim Tanzânia (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv Tanzânia) sob diferentes lâminas de irrigação (25, 50,75, 100 e 125% da ETc) e adubação nitrogenada em diferentes localidades do Brasil, a partir de unidades fototérmicas. Os modelos foram ajustados para as doses de 0, 30, 60, 110 e 270 kg de N ha-1, doses divididas em aplicações após cada corte, com um ciclo de 35 dias de descanso. Os modelos de produtividade ajustados apresentaram r² de 0,9999, de boa confiança para estimativa da produção de matéria seca do capim Tanzânia. Sendo assim, pode-se estimar a produção de matéria seca do capim Tanzânia para várias regiões do país, desde que se conheça a latitude local e as temperaturas máxima e mínima.The mathematical model to predict the forage yield using photothermal units was utilized with success in Elephant grass, Thanzania and Brachiaria ruziziensis in the absence of water stress and nitrogen stress. The aim of this study was to propose models to estimate the forage yield of Thanzania grass under different irrigation (25, 50,75, 100 e 125% of ETc) and nitrogen level in various regions of Brazil. As such, models were developed to estimate the dry matter production of Panicum maximum Jacq. frass cv Thanzania in different irrigation and nitrogen levels, using photothermal units. The models were adjusted to doses of 0, 30, 60, 110 and 270 kg of N ha-1, doses were divided in applications after each evaluation, with a rest cycle of 35 days. The adjusted model presented good performance in predicting dry matter production of Thanzania grass, with r² = 0.9999. The results made it possible to verify that the proposed model can be used to predict forage production in different regions of Brazil. It can be estimated, with good precision. The production of Thanzania grass dry matter can be accurately estimated in specific places (in function of latitude and time of year), with the maximum and minimum temperature values

WATER USE IN IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE: AN APPROACH TO WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN DRIP AND SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Irrigation plays an important role in agriculture and the increase in the irrigated area and scarce water resources have encouraged the use of irrigation systems and management systems that increase the efficiency of water use. Thus, maximize water productivity has been one of the most important challenges in agriculture. The present study aimed to relate information on water productivity for two irrigation systems, drip and sprinkler systems, with the purpose of understanding the characteristics of these systems and contributing to the advancement of studies and research carried out in the area. Technological innovations aimed at reducing consumption and increasing water productivity through improved water management practices have had limited impact and still need to be adopted on a large scale. It should be emphasized that future research and studies should focus on strengthening the relationships between yield and water consumption to improve productivity. In addition, the techniques and technologies to be deployed in the field must be preceded by a cost analysis for each specific situation in order to verify the economic viability of its adoption

Prototype emitter for use in subsurface drip irrigation: Manufacturing, hydraulic evaluation and experimental analyses

The current research aims to analyse theoretically and evaluate a self-manufactured simple design for subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) emitter to avoid root and soil intrusion. It was composed of three concentric cylindrical elements: an elastic silicone membrane; a polyethylene tube with two holes drilled on its wall for water discharge; and a vinyl polychloride protector system to wrap the other elements. The discharge of the emitter depends on the change in the membrane diameter when it is deformed by the water pressure. The study of the operation of this emitter is a new approach that considers mechanical and hydraulic principles. Thus, the estimation on the membrane deformation was based on classical mechanical stress theories in composite cylinders. The hydraulic principles considered the solid deformation due to force based on water pressure and the general Darcy–Weisbach head-loss equation. Twenty emitter units, with the selected design, were handcrafted in a lathe and were used in this study. The measured pressure/discharge relationship for the emitters showed good agreement with that calculated by the theoretical approach. The variation coefficient of the handcrafted emitters was high compared to commercial emitters. Results from field evaluations showed variable values for the relative flow variation, water emission uniformity and relative flow rate coefficients, but no emitter was obstructed. Therefore, the current emitter design could be suitable for SDI following further studies to develop a final prototype

Método de dissipação térmica para a estimativa da transpiração de plantas jovens de laranjeira 'Valência'

Most studies on measures of transpiration of plants, especially woody fruit, relies on methods of heat supply in the trunk. This study aimed to calibrate the Thermal Dissipation Probe Method (TDP) to estimate the transpiration, study the effects of natural thermal gradients and determine the relation between outside diameter and area of xylem in 'Valencia' orange young plants. TDP were installed in 40 orange plants of 15 months old, planted in boxes of 500 L, in a greenhouse. It was tested the correction of the natural thermal differences (DTN) for the estimation based on two unheated probes. The area of the conductive section was related to the outside diameter of the stem by means of polynomial regression. The equation for estimation of sap flow was calibrated having as standard lysimeter measures of a representative plant. The angular coefficient of the equation for estimating sap flow was adjusted by minimizing the absolute deviation between the sap flow and daily transpiration measured by lysimeter. Based on these results, it was concluded that the method of TDP, adjusting the original calibration and correction of the DTN, was effective in transpiration assessment

Transpiration of young plants of valencia orange in rootstock rangpur and swingle in two types of soil

A área total irrigada em pomares cítricos no Brasil tem aumentado ao longo das décadas. A principal causa desse aumento deve-se ao uso de porta-enxertos tolerantes à Morte Súbita dos Citros, porém menos tolerantes à seca que o limão Cravo. Este trabalho tem como objetivo estudar a influência do porta-enxerto e do tipo de solo na transpiração de plantas jovens de laranjeira Valência. O experimento foi conduzido em estufa, nas dependências do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas da ESALQ/USP. Mudas de laranjeira foram plantadas em caixas de 500 L. Determinou-se, simultaneamente, a transpiração de 20 plantas por meio de sondas de dissipação térmica (fluxo de seiva). Foram medidas a radiação solar global, a umidade relativa e a temperatura do ar com sensores instalados a 2 m de altura no centro da estufa. A evapotranspiração de referência (EToPM) foi calculada pelo método de Penman-Monteith proposto pela FAO. De acordo com os resultados encontrados, conclui-se que a transpiração das plantas de laranjeira Valência é influenciada não só pelo tipo de porta-enxerto utilizado, como também pelo crescimento em área foliar e estádio fenológico, sendo que sua relação com a EToPM não é linear em toda a faixa de demanda evaporativa da atmosfera