Water and energy productivities in a solid-set sprinkler irrigation system for wheat production (Case Study: Qorveh plain)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

2 Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran.

3 Department of Water Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Kurdistan, Iran.

Abstract

Objective:  This study aimed to evaluate and compare energy consumption and energy productivity in a solid-set irrigation system with portable sprinklers powered by different energy sources (electricity and diesel) for irrigated wheat production in the Qorveh Plain of Kurdistan Province.
 
Method:  In this research, 15 irrigated wheat farms with a total area of 90 hectares, planted with the "Pishgam" cultivar, were randomly selected in the Qorveh Plain and classified into two groups: CE (electric energy source) and CD (diesel fuel energy source). GPS devices were used to measure the farm areas, and the irrigation water consumption volume was measured using an ultrasonic flow meter. Data on energy consumption (electricity and diesel), crop yield (measured through sampling), and other agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilizer, pesticides, and machinery were collected from farmers through questionnaires. Additionally, at the end of the 2023–2024 growing season, the calculated yields were cross-checked with actual farm sales data.
 
Results:  The results showed that the highest energy consumption in the wheat farming systems using CE and CD systems was allocated to the electric power and diesel fuel, respectively which were required as irrigation head. The total energy input to the farms was calculated to be 73,173.01 and 88,507.83 MJ/ha for CE and CD systems, respectively, while the total energy output was 118,815 and 118,896 MJ/ha, respectively. Water productivity was 1.47 and 1.31 kg/m³, respectively. Energy ratios were calculated as 1.66 for CE and 1.34 for CD farms, and specific energy was 10.26 and 12.86 MJ/kg, respectively. Moreover, electricity productivity was 3.01 and 2.20 kg/kWh, and overall energy productivity was 0.09 and 0.07 kg/MJ, respectively.
 
Conclusions:  In CD farms, the average total energy input and output were higher than CE farms; however, the water productivity index in CD farms was about 12% lower than in the CE group. Also, specific energy use was higher in diesel-powered farms, indicating higher energy consumption for wheat production. Overall, electric irrigation systems (CE) performed better in terms of energy efficiency, and it is recommended that electrification of diesel-powered wells (CD) be prioritized in national agricultural programs

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Advanced Technologies in Water Efficiency
Volume 6, Issue 1
February 2026
Pages 44-64

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 23 September 2025

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