| A framework that explicitly considers the impact of different trickle irrigation design and management options on relative crop yield was developed. The basis for this framework is a plant water accessibility function that delineates the pattern of crop yield distribution around emitters. Crop type, emitter spacing, discharge rates, irrigation amounts, irrigation frequency, and soils and climate conditions determine the pattern of crop yield distribution around emitters.;Results from a field experiment demonstrate that corn yield remains constant up to a certain distance, RE, from the nearest emitter, after which it gradually decreases up to a distance RN where corn yield was no different than for nonirrigated plants. Relationships were established between RE and the volume of water per application and between the size of the reduction zone (RN-RE) and RE.;Relative crop yield predictions from this framework were used to analyze the performance of different design and management strategies. Results indicated that the plant water accessibility function can be used as a screening tool for identifying potential ranges of emitter spacing and irrigation interval. |
