Increased furrow irrigation efficiency through better design and management of cane fields

The application efficiency of furrow irrigation for sugar cane production was studied in the Burdekin region. Average commercial irrigation efficiencies in this area varied between 31% and 62% with individual irrigation efficiencies ranging from 14% to 90%. Differences in efficiency were directly related to farm design, type of soil irrigated and specific management practices. Application efficiency decreased with both increasing furrow length and amount of cultivation. Other factors that affected efficiency were irrigation cut-off time, water application rate, soil type, furrow shape and tailwater recycling practices. These results indicate that significant improvements in irrigation efficiency could be achieved through the adoption of design and management practices that are appropriate to the farm's environmental and management constraints.