2023

Technologies for the Efficient Use of Irrigated Water

Name: Technologies for the Efficient Use of Irrigated Water
Code: ERU12715M
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Rural Engineering

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese, English
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

Since water is an increasingly scarce commodity, not only in quantity but also in quality, it becomes
imperative to increase efficiency in its use. Nowadays there are a series of techniques, equipment and
tools that allow to significantly improve its use. The main objective of this curricular unit is to introduce
students to these techniques and tools, to provide the theoretical and practical bases necessary for their
use, and to help them develop analytical skills to choose appropriate strategies for water use, with the aim
of increasing the productivity of agricultural production, but also from an environmental perspective of
preserving soil and water resources.

Contents

Soil water. Measurement and monitoring. Infiltration and Redistribution of soil water. Crops water use. Soil
and crop water balance. Crop water requirements and irrigation scheduling. Calculation m. Mathematical
models for irrigation management. Irrigation criteria. Supplemental irrigation and controlled deficit
irrigation. New technologies for irrigation management. Irrigation methods and systems. Description.
Evaluation and management of irrigation systems. Performance indicators. Efficiency, use and
consumption of water. Energy efficiency in irrigation systems. Mechanization and automation of irrigation
systems. Control, regulation and safety equipment. Telecontrol. Salinity and irrigation water quality.
Precision irrigation. Definition. Advantages and disadvantages of differential irrigation management. Key
points of a precision irrigation system. Evaluation of spatial variability. Definition of management units.
Differential water application. Systems evaluation and control.

Teaching Methods

Theoretical-practical classes. Seminars: experts will be invited on certain subjects in order to allow the
deepening of some subjects.

Evaluation with written tests.