Journal of Agriculture
and Environmental Sciences

Net Irrigation Requirements for Maize in Isra-Nioro, Province of Kaolack (Senegal)
Demba Diakhate

Abstract
The aim of this work is to provide an easy methodology for the estimation of the Net Irrigation Water Requirements (Irnet) to be used in any developing country as first step in irrigation systems design. The present study uses state-of-the-art software to allow answering the question “Is the introduction of irrigation useful in the specific agro-climatic conditions in order to increase crop yield?”. For better understanding, the present study applied the suggested methodology to one typical hot climate crop as maize - Zea mays, cultivated in the Nioro of Rip area, Kaolack region (Republic of Senegal). To estimate and examine all required data, different software were utilized. FAO software (CROPWAT 8.0 and New_LocClim) were adopted to compute Reference Evapotranspiration (ETo), Crop Water Requirements (CWR) and Net Irrigation Water Requirements (Irnet) of the two analysed crops. Excel (version 2007) was used to examine the rainfall data from a statistical point of view in order to have a frequency analysis for the considered events. Daily climatic data for a seven-year time period (January 2001 - December 2007) were analysed to calculate ETo. These data were obtained from the Agro-meteorological Station of ISRA-Nioro research (Kaolack region, Republic of Senegal). During the considered seven-year time period, in almost all cases, total rainfall is over 760.6 mm per year. It means that effective rainfall (computed utilizing the USDA S.C. Method) is around 536.4 mm. In rainy season, CWR for maize was 414.0 mm and 417.6 mm obtained respectively from New_LocClim method and Meteorological station method. And his Irnet was 9.9 mm and 5 mm obtained respectively from New_LocClim method and Meteorological station method. In rainy season condition maize, yield reduction has been equal to 0.0%. Knowing the CROPWAT approximation level, for practical purposes those values can be neglected and maize can be assumed to produce at their maximum. Given that in rainfed conditions no water stress is practically observed along the entire crop cycle, we can affirm that no irrigation system is needed to be designed in such a specific climate and soil conditions. In conclusion, the best choice for seeding in dry season in Nioro area is to seed in November. Indeed, seeding in November can be beneficial for maize. In this situation, plantation still produces its maximum and yield reduction equal 0.0%.

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