Analyse and diagnosis of underground irrigation in the sahraoui region (Hassi Ben AbdAllah-Ourgla)
Dalila Oulhaci, Lina Manel Kadi, كنزة خميس
كلية العلوم التطبيقية-جامعة قاصدى مرباح ورقلة · الجزائر
The choice of an irrigation system in arid and semi-arid regions is influenced by various physical, economic, and human factors. Due to the difficulty of quantitatively assessing all these elements, decisions are often based on personal preferences and field experience rather than scientific analysis. In the Ouargla region, widespread use of inefficient irrigation methods has caused several environmental problems, including a rise in groundwater levels and the formation of surface ponds, which negatively affect the local ecosystem, this study aims to enhance drip irrigation performance using the buried bottle technique. This method involves placing plastic bottles underground near plant roots to deliver water slowly and directly to the soil. Field trials were conducted on lettuce and pea crops using 2-liter bottles with a flow rate of 0.5 liters per hour. Experimental results were compared with simulations from CROPWAT and AquaCrop models, which are widely used to calculate crop water requirements under various environmental and soil conditions, the results demonstrated significant water savings and increased irrigation efficiency. The buried bottle system ensures better moisture retention near the root zone, reduces infiltration and evaporation losses, and improves plant water uptake. Additionally, it contributes to soil salinity control and protects groundwater reserves. This approach presents an environmentally friendly and economically viable irrigation alternative, particularly suited for water-scarce regions.