Modernisation de l'irrigation de surface : acquis et perspectives

Surface irrigation modernization: acquirements and prospects

ENGREF Centre Montpellier - BP 5093 - 34033 Montpellier Cedex 1; Tél. : 67 04 71 00 - Fax : 67 04 71 01

Abstract

Surface irrigation in France (15 % of the irrigated area had been recently modernized with particular emphasis on labor saving and water application efficiency increasing. * Improvements in field levelling and water distribution had occured. Many distributors have been successfully tested : gated pipe, layflat tubing, cable gation, low pressure buried pipe, ... However there still are improvments to make on the surface irrigation parameters assessment (inflow and irrigation time). * The rehabilitation of the distribution network to satisfy the modern surface irrigation requirements is often needed. * Last, surface irrigation modernization must also be debate in terms of water resources management at a regional scale.