Abstract

SIFUENTES, Ernesto et al. Irrigation Management for Potato Crops Based on Climate Variability: Application in Irrigation District 075, Fuerte River, Sinaloa, Mexico. Tecnol. cienc. agua [online]. 2016, vol.7, n.2, pp.149-168. ISSN 2007-2422.

A computer platform was developed for integrated irrigation scheduling and management of potato crops based on information and communications technology using the internet. This technology adjusted the water demands of the potato crop according to the climate variability observed over recent years in the Valle del Fuerte, Sinaloa, Mexico. The basis of the technology was an integrated irrigation scheduling model based on increasing degree-days, with the integration of Irrimodel software operated over the internet. The system has the following capabilities: a) generates irrigation plans based on different scenarios related to climate, water availability and water management; b) produces a highly accurate irrigation prognosis according to the development of the crop and the accumulation of degree-days, and c) generates and sends irrigation requests to the service providers. The technology was transferred to producers over three months and covered over 3 000 ha. Two levels of use were identified -a high application level by 56% of the area (1 738 ha) and a medium level by the remaining area. The area with a high application level was composed of 396 ha which used gravity irrigation and 1 334 ha which used sprinkler irrigation. In both areas, with gravity irrigation as well as sprinkler irrigation, there was an increase in application efficiency (18%), yield (7 t) and water productivity (1.5 kg·m-3). The increase was greater with gravity than with traditional management. This work presents an analysis of the use of this technology on a large scale, as an option to adapt irrigation scheduling to the effects of climate change.

Keywords : Precision irrigation; degree days; climate change; irrigation areas.