Water and energy savings in micro irrigation systems design using optimization models

The main disadvantage of trickle irrigation systems is its comparatively high initial cost, which depends on the layout, design, and management of its hydraulic network. Designing the sub-main and lateral lines aiming the emitter uniformity maximization can reduce the microirrigation system costs. This research aimed to compare linear and nonlinear programming models and maximization versus minimization criteria to optimize the crop net benefit, considering the water and energy savings. Two versions of LP and NLP models were developed: the first minimized the equivalent annual cost of the irrigation system considering the pipeline cost and the energy cost; the second maximized the yearly increment in the net benefit (Bn) of the irrigated crop. In both cases, uncertainty about the crop price was considered. The models were applied in a 40 ha citrus orchard in São Paulo State, Brazil. The highest net benefit was found using the NLP model with the maximization criterion. The worst result was obtained with the LP model and the minimization of the total annual cost. The layout and management previously established by the designer are subjective and rarely results in the best solution, although the linear programming model always gets the global optimum. The NLP models get local optimal, but they defined the layout, design, and management of the systems, with more chance to obtain a higher net benefit. The NLP model for maximization showed to be an adequate option for designing microsprinkler irrigation systems, defining the hydraulic network and the operational conditions that maximize Bn and WUE, with the lowest water consumption and lowest energy cost

Otimização do Dimensionamento de um Sistema de Irrigação Localizado Utilizando Programação Linear / Optimization of the Dimensioning of a Localized Irrigation System Using Linear Programming

Neste trabalho desenvolveu-se um modelo de Programação Linear (PL) visando minimização do custo anual da rede hidráulica de um sistema de irrigação por microaspersão e operacionais, em uma área de 8,16 ha. A função objetiva do modelo foi a minimização dos custos fixos, relativos aos equipamentos de irrigação e operacionais relativos a energia elétrica. O problema de otimização foi solucionado utilizando-software GAMS/CPLEX. O sistema foi dividido em doze unidades operacionais e foram avaliados diferentes combinações de diâmetros de tubulações. O menor custo anual foi obtido no modelo de PL. de US$1.501,03 ha-1.ano-1, valor este 7,65$ 1.615,90 ha-1

USCID fourth international conference

Presented at the Role of irrigation and drainage in a sustainable future: USCID fourth international conference on irrigation and drainage on October 3-6, 2007 in Sacramento, California.Includes bibliographical references.The bean culture is part of crop rotation used by irrigators from the southwestern region of the state of São Paulo, who perform the no-tillage soil management as a form of sustainable soil use. The effect of this conservationist practice on soil compaction, root development and bean culture production components in relation to the conventional management was the objective of this work. The experiment was conducted at the Buriti-Mirim Farm, Angatuba, SP, Brazil, using an 18ha area irrigated through center pivot system divided into two types of soil managements: conventional management and no-tillage management. Crop production components, soil cone index and root development components (distribution in the soil profile, length, surface, diameter and dry matter) were evaluated. Although the no-tillage management had presented lower compaction at the most superficial layers and more uniform root distribution in the soil profile, the managements evaluated were not significantly different in relation to crop productivity

Uso de hidrogel na sobrevivência de mudas de Eucalyptus urograndis produzidas com diferentes substratos e manejos hídricos.

This study aimed to evaluate the use of hydrogel in the survival of cuttings of Eucalyptus urograndis produced with different types of substrate and water management. The experiment was carried out using cuttings of the same clone, produced up to 50 days after the cutting, in two different nurseries (“C” and “E"). Then, all the cuttings were allocated to the same nursery for 80 days, where they received irrigation at different frequencies. After this period, the cuttings were transplanted into polyethylene pots, in clay soil, with and without hydrogel. The results obtained were subjected to the variance technique for totally randomized experiments. Data analysis revealed that the plants with hydrogel displayed delayed symptoms of water deficit. Regardless of the cutting's origin (“C” or “E”), the hydrogel influenced survival, guaranteeing 37 days without additional irrigation. The nursery water management only influenced the plants from nursery "E", and the plants adapted to the lack of water (water management with one daily irrigation) took more time to present symptoms of water deficit.A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de hidrogel na sobrevivência de mudas clonais de Eucalyptus urograndis produzidas com diferentes substratos e manejos hídricos. O experimento foi conduzido com mudas do mesmo clone, produzidas até os 50 dias após estaqueamento em dois viveiros distintos (“C” e “E”). Em seguida, todas as mudas foram alocadas num mesmo viveiro, durante 80 dias as quais receberam diferentes frequências de irrigação. Após esse período, as mudas foram transplantadas para vasos de polietileno, em solo argiloso, com e sem hidrogel. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à técnica de variância para experimentos inteiramente casualizado. A análise dos dados permitiu inferir que as plantas com hidrogel tiveram seus sintomas de falta de água retardados. Independentemente da origem da muda (“C” ou “E”), o hidrogel, exerceu influência na sobrevivência, garantindo 37 dias sem irrigação adicional. O manejo hídrico do viveiro exerceu influência somente para as mudas denominadas “E”, sendo que plantas adaptadas à falta de água (manejo hídrico com uma irrigação diária) demoraram mais tempo para apresentar sintomas de déficit hídrico

Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019 : A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). Measuring effective coverage at the health-system level is important for understanding whether health services are aligned with countries' health profiles and are of sufficient quality to produce health gains for populations of all ages. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we assessed UHC effective coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Drawing from a measurement framework developed through WHO's GPW13 consultation, we mapped 23 effective coverage indicators to a matrix representing health service types (eg, promotion, prevention, and treatment) and five population-age groups spanning from reproductive and newborn to older adults (≥65 years). Effective coverage indicators were based on intervention coverage or outcome-based measures such as mortality-to-incidence ratios to approximate access to quality care; outcome-based measures were transformed to values on a scale of 0–100 based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of location-year values. We constructed the UHC effective coverage index by weighting each effective coverage indicator relative to its associated potential health gains, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years for each location-year and population-age group. For three tests of validity (content, known-groups, and convergent), UHC effective coverage index performance was generally better than that of other UHC service coverage indices from WHO (ie, the current metric for SDG indicator 3.8.1 on UHC service coverage), the World Bank, and GBD 2017. We quantified frontiers of UHC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita, representing UHC effective coverage index levels achieved in 2019 relative to country-level government health spending, prepaid private expenditures, and development assistance for health. To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—we estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023. Findings Globally, performance on the UHC effective coverage index improved from 45·8 (95% uncertainty interval 44·2–47·5) in 1990 to 60·3 (58·7–61·9) in 2019, yet country-level UHC effective coverage in 2019 still spanned from 95 or higher in Japan and Iceland to lower than 25 in Somalia and the Central African Republic. Since 2010, sub-Saharan Africa showed accelerated gains on the UHC effective coverage index (at an average increase of 2·6% [1·9–3·3] per year up to 2019); by contrast, most other GBD super-regions had slowed rates of progress in 2010–2019 relative to 1990–2010. Many countries showed lagging performance on effective coverage indicators for non-communicable diseases relative to those for communicable diseases and maternal and child health, despite non-communicable diseases accounting for a greater proportion of potential health gains in 2019, suggesting that many health systems are not keeping pace with the rising non-communicable disease burden and associated population health needs. In 2019, the UHC effective coverage index was associated with pooled health spending per capita (r=0·79), although countries across the development spectrum had much lower UHC effective coverage than is potentially achievable relative to their health spending. Under maximum efficiency of translating health spending into UHC effective coverage performance, countries would need to reach $1398 pooled health spending per capita (US$ adjusted for purchasing power parity) in order to achieve 80 on the UHC effective coverage index. From 2018 to 2023, an estimated 388·9 million (358·6–421·3) more population equivalents would have UHC effective coverage, falling well short of the GPW13 target of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC during this time. Current projections point to an estimated 3·1 billion (3·0–3·2) population equivalents still lacking UHC effective coverage in 2023, with nearly a third (968·1 million [903·5–1040·3]) residing in south Asia. Interpretation The present study demonstrates the utility of measuring effective coverage and its role in supporting improved health outcomes for all people—the ultimate goal of UHC and its achievement. Global ambitions to accelerate progress on UHC service coverage are increasingly unlikely unless concerted action on non-communicable diseases occurs and countries can better translate health spending into improved performance. Focusing on effective coverage and accounting for the world's evolving health needs lays the groundwork for better understanding how close—or how far—all populations are in benefiting from UHC

Measuring universal health coverage based on an index of effective coverage of health services in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) involves all people receiving the health services they need, of high quality, without experiencing financial hardship. Making progress towards UHC is a policy priority for both countries and global institutions, as highlighted by the agenda of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and WHO's Thirteenth General Programme of Work (GPW13). Measuring effective coverage at the health-system level is important for understanding whether health services are aligned with countries' health profiles and are of sufficient quality to produce health gains for populations of all ages. Methods Based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, we assessed UHC effective coverage for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019. Drawing from a measurement framework developed through WHO's GPW13 consultation, we mapped 23 effective coverage indicators to a matrix representing health service types (eg, promotion, prevention, and treatment) and five population-age groups spanning from reproductive and newborn to older adults (≥65 years). Effective coverage indicators were based on intervention coverage or outcome-based measures such as mortality-to-incidence ratios to approximate access to quality care; outcome-based measures were transformed to values on a scale of 0–100 based on the 2·5th and 97·5th percentile of location-year values. We constructed the UHC effective coverage index by weighting each effective coverage indicator relative to its associated potential health gains, as measured by disability-adjusted life-years for each location-year and population-age group. For three tests of validity (content, known-groups, and convergent), UHC effective coverage index performance was generally better than that of other UHC service coverage indices from WHO (ie, the current metric for SDG indicator 3.8.1 on UHC service coverage), the World Bank, and GBD 2017. We quantified frontiers of UHC effective coverage performance on the basis of pooled health spending per capita, representing UHC effective coverage index levels achieved in 2019 relative to country-level government health spending, prepaid private expenditures, and development assistance for health. To assess current trajectories towards the GPW13 UHC billion target—1 billion more people benefiting from UHC by 2023—we estimated additional population equivalents with UHC effective coverage from 2018 to 2023. Findings Globally, performance on the UHC effective coverage index improved from 45·8 (95% uncertainty interval 44·2–47·5) in 1990 to 60·3 (58·7–61·9) in 2019, yet country-level UHC effective coverage in 2019 still spanned from 95 or higher in Japan and Iceland to lower than 25 in Somalia and the Central African Republic. Since 2010, sub-Saharan Africa showed accelerated gains on the UHC effective coverage index (at an average increase of 2·6% [1·9–3·3] per year up to 2019); by contrast, most other GBD super-regions had slowed rates of progress in 2010–2019 relative to 1990–2010. Many countries showed lagging performance on effective coverage indicators for non-communicable diseases relative to those for communicable diseases and maternal and child health, despite non-communicable diseases accounting for a greater proportion of potential health gains in 2019, suggesting that many health systems are not keeping pace with the rising non-communicable disease burden and associated population health needs. In 2019, the UHC effective coverage index was associated with pooled health spending per capita (r=0·79), although countries across the development spectrum had much lower UHC effective coverage than is potentially achievable relative to their health spending. Under maximum efficiency of translating health spending into UHC effective coverage performance, countries would need to reach $1398 pooled health spending per capita (US$ adjusted for purchasing power parity) in order to achieve 80 on the UHC effective coverage index. From 2018 to 2023, an estimated 388·9 million (358·6–421·3) more population equivalents would have UHC effective coverage, falling well short of the GPW13 target of 1 billion more people benefiting from UHC during this time. Current projections point to an estimated 3·1 billion (3·0–3·2) population equivalents still lacking UHC effective coverage in 2023, with nearly a third (968·1 million [903·5–1040·3]) residing in south Asia. Interpretation The present study demonstrates the utility of measuring effective coverage and its role in supporting improved health outcomes for all people—the ultimate goal of UHC and its achievement. Global ambitions to accelerate progress on UHC service coverage are increasingly unlikely unless concerted action on non-communicable diseases occurs and countries can better translate health spending into improved performance. Focusing on effective coverage and accounting for the world's evolving health needs lays the groundwork for better understanding how close—or how far—all populations are in benefiting from UHC

Increasing the Lateral Line Length of Drip Irrigation Systems

Aims: The hypothesis of this research is that it is possible to increase the drip irrigation lateral line length by using a larger spacing between emitters at the beginning of the lateral line and a smaller one after a certain distance, which would allow for a higher pressure variation along the lateral line under an acceptable value of distribution uniformity. Study Design: Non-pressure compensating drip hose is widely utilized for vegetables and orchards irrigation. Though there is a limitation, which is the lateral line length must be short to maintain uniformity due to head loss and slope, any procedure to increase the length is appropriate because it represents low initial cost of the irrigation system. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the College of Agricultural Sciences of Sao Paulo State University in Botucatu, SP, during the year 2011. Methodology: To evaluate this hypothesis, a nonlinear programming model (NLP) was developed. The input data were: diameter, roughness coefficient, pressure variation, emitter operational pressure, relationship between emitter discharge and pressure. The output data were: line length, discharge and length of the each section with different spacing between drippers, total discharge in the lateral line, multiple outlet adjustment coefficient, head losses, localized head loss, pressure variation, number of emitters, spacing between emitters, discharge in each emitter, and discharge per linear meter. Results: The mathematical model developed was compared with the lateral line length obtained with the algebraic solution generated by the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The NLP model showed the best results since it generated a greater gain in the lateral line length, maintaining the uniformity and the flow variation under acceptable standards. It also had lower flow variation. Conclusion: NLP model showed the best results when compared with the conventional procedure, generating gain in the lateral line length, keeping the uniformity and flow variation under acceptable standards

Increasing the lateral line length of drip irrigation systems

Aims: The hypothesis of this research is that it is possible to increase the drip irrigation lateral line length by using a larger spacing between emitters at the beginning of the lateral line and a smaller one after a certain distance, which would allow for a higher pressure variation along the lateral line under an acceptable value of distribution uniformity. Study Design: Non-pressure compensating drip hose is widely utilized for vegetables and orchards irrigation. Though there is a limitation, which is the lateral line length must be short to maintain uniformity due to head loss and slope, any procedure to increase the length is appropriate because it represents low initial cost of the irrigation system. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the College of Agricultural Sciences of Sao Paulo State University in Botucatu, SP, during the year 2011. Methodology: To evaluate this hypothesis, a nonlinear programming model (NLP) was developed. The input data were: diameter, roughness coefficient, pressure variation, emitter operational pressure, relationship between emitter discharge and pressure. The output data were: line length, discharge and length of the each section with different spacing between drippers, total discharge in the lateral line, multiple outlet adjustment coefficient, head losses, localized head loss, pressure variation, number of emitters, spacing between emitters, discharge in each emitter, and discharge per linear meter. Results: The mathematical model developed was compared with the lateral line length obtained with the algebraic solution generated by the Darcy-Weisbach equation. The NLP model showed the best results since it generated a greater gain in the lateral line length, maintaining the uniformity and the flow variation under acceptable standards. It also had lower flow variation. Conclusion: NLP model showed the best results when compared with the conventional procedure, generating gain in the lateral line length, keeping the uniformity and flow variation under acceptable standards.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq