Soil Moisture and Water Tension Dynamics During Subsurface Drip Irrigation Cycles on Two Contrasting Soils from Northern Victoria

摘要: Ongoing water shortages and projected long term reductions in supply are focussing irrigators policy makers on the need to make best use of available water. Subsurface drip (SSD) irrigation is potentially efficient by delivering plant rootzone through emitters thus reducing potential evaporation, runoff drainage losses. Adoption SSD dairy farms may also benefit regional quality altering movement pathways off farm. However, farmers will not invest until they confident that it can withstand cattle grazing be economically viable. A field experiment being conducted investigate performance pasture production a 'light' 'medium' textured soil northern Victoria. Regular measurement moisture matric provides interesting insights into differing patterns during cycles two soils. This paper outlines findings from 2008/09 season. Soil distribution with this system influenced strongly structure hydraulic behaviour, greater spatial variation light soil. Evaporation surface loss was minimal both With SSD, behaviour affected more frequency than tape spacing. Under daily regime, some occurred each event Drainage timing rapid response did consistently occur under '4 days' regime later season less evident medium