Spatial distribution of irrigation water depth, soil moisture and bean yield

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate irrigation uniformity effects on soil moisture uniformity and on bean yield. Water was applied by conventional sprinkler irrigation system. Applied water depth was obtained from measurements of soil moisture and from soil water retention capacity. Applied water depth was the same at four different uniformity levels, imposed by four different sprinklers spacing, of 12 x 12m, 18 x 18m, 18 x 24m and 24 x 24m. Spatial distributions of applied water, soil moisture and bean yield were evaluated using statistical exploratory techniques, mainly that called “simplified” box-plot, obtained from each line and column data, accordingly to each treatment lay-out. It was verified that irrigation uniformity affected spatial distribution of soil moisture and bean yield, but the higher yield did not achieve the best irrigation uniformity treatment.