Irrigation and Water Management (AGRI30016)

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Describe the scale and distribution of the major irrigation systems in south-eastern Australia

• Evaluate plant water requirements in terms of water quality and frequency of supply

• Apply basic principles of hydraulics to the selection of irrigation systems appurtenances and structures

• Assess irrigation systems in terms of efficiency, economy, energy-use and environmental impact

• Recognise the advantages and disadvantages of common irrigation systems

• Recognise the need for efficient irrigation drainage as well as water supply

The content includes:

• Water supply potential for the development of irrigation systems, management planning and operation of water allocations, water law, cost benefit analysis, environmental and energy-use implications of resource utilisation and development, efficiency of irrigation systems and long-term viability

• Climatic factors in irrigation development, rainfall, evaporation, evapotranspiration and hydrology

• Plant physiology and plant water use, transpiration crop water requirements in terms of water quality and quantity

• Soils and water, soil moisture retention and movement, plant root zones and development, infiltration and leaching

• Irrigation scheduling, soil moisture measurement

• Types of irrigation systems, selection of irrigation systems, irrigation drainage, seepage, surface and subsurface drainage systems, salinity, conveyance and disposal of drained effluent, re-use systems, management of irrigation systems, operations and maintenance requirements