62
crops were calculated using BISm model (Snyder et al. 2004). Irrigation application
efficiency assumed to be 60% in the old lands under surface irrigation and 75% and
85% under sprinkler and drip systems, respectively in the new lands.
For Egyptian clover and sugar beet, five production alternatives were quantified
on governorate level as followed:
1. Traditional cultivation: The cultivated area and productivity per hectare of each
crop in 2017 were multiplied to calculate total production. In addition, water
requirements for each crop were calculated.
2. Raised beds cultivation: We assumed that cultivation on raised beds will
increase productivity per hectare by 15%, and then the increase in the total production was calculated. We also assumed that 20% of the applied water under
surface irrigation will be saved. The saved irrigation water will be used to irrigate
new areas with each crop and this area will be added to the total cultivated area
of the studied crops to increase its total production.
3. Application of deficit irrigation: The effect of application of deficit irrigation
for both crops cultivated on raised beds. Because the amount of irrigation water
resulted from cultivation on raised beds produced higher yield than the traditional cultivation, we applied deficit irrigation to raised beds and the losses in
yield resulted from raised beds cultivation was calculated. The saved irrigation
water will be used to irrigate new areas with each crop and this area will be
added to the total cultivated area of the studied crops to increase its total production and compensate the loss in the productivity per hectare.
4. Calculation of production without investing the saved water in adding new
area: Under cultivation on raised beds, we assumed that the saved water will be
assigned to increase the cultivated area of another winter crop.
5. Calculation of production without investing the saved water in adding new
area: Under application of deficit irrigation, we assumed that the saved water
will be assigned to increase the cultivated area of another winter crop.
Water productivity values for each crop were calculated under these five production alternatives. Water productivity is a quantitative term used to define the relationship between crop produced and the amount of water involved in crop production
(Igbadun et al. 2006). It is a good indicator to compare between the five productions
alternatives, because it involves both crop production amount, and its applied irrigation water to produce this amount.
4.2 Egyptian Clover Production and Deficit Irrigation
Egyptian clover is one of the most important leguminous forages in the Mediterranean
region and the Middle-East (De Santis et al. 2004). It contributes to soil fertility,
improves soil physical characteristics (Graves et al. 1996) and its forage is superior
to grasses in protein and mineral contents (Laghari et al. 2000). Egyptian clover is
the major winter forage crop cultivated in the Nile Delta and Valley in both the old
and the new lands. It occupies almost half of the cultivated area in the winter season.
S. Ouda et al.
crops were calculated using BISm model (Snyder et al. 2004). Irrigation application
efficiency assumed to be 60% in the old lands under surface irrigation and 75% and
85% under sprinkler and drip systems, respectively in the new lands.
For Egyptian clover and sugar beet, five production alternatives were quantified
on governorate level as followed:
1. Traditional cultivation: The cultivated area and productivity per hectare of each
crop in 2017 were multiplied to calculate total production. In addition, water
requirements for each crop were calculated.
2. Raised beds cultivation: We assumed that cultivation on raised beds will
increase productivity per hectare by 15%, and then the increase in the total production was calculated. We also assumed that 20% of the applied water under
surface irrigation will be saved. The saved irrigation water will be used to irrigate
new areas with each crop and this area will be added to the total cultivated area
of the studied crops to increase its total production.
3. Application of deficit irrigation: The effect of application of deficit irrigation
for both crops cultivated on raised beds. Because the amount of irrigation water
resulted from cultivation on raised beds produced higher yield than the traditional cultivation, we applied deficit irrigation to raised beds and the losses in
yield resulted from raised beds cultivation was calculated. The saved irrigation
water will be used to irrigate new areas with each crop and this area will be
added to the total cultivated area of the studied crops to increase its total production and compensate the loss in the productivity per hectare.
4. Calculation of production without investing the saved water in adding new
area: Under cultivation on raised beds, we assumed that the saved water will be
assigned to increase the cultivated area of another winter crop.
5. Calculation of production without investing the saved water in adding new
area: Under application of deficit irrigation, we assumed that the saved water
will be assigned to increase the cultivated area of another winter crop.
Water productivity values for each crop were calculated under these five production alternatives. Water productivity is a quantitative term used to define the relationship between crop produced and the amount of water involved in crop production
(Igbadun et al. 2006). It is a good indicator to compare between the five productions
alternatives, because it involves both crop production amount, and its applied irrigation water to produce this amount.
4.2 Egyptian Clover Production and Deficit Irrigation
Egyptian clover is one of the most important leguminous forages in the Mediterranean
region and the Middle-East (De Santis et al. 2004). It contributes to soil fertility,
improves soil physical characteristics (Graves et al. 1996) and its forage is superior
to grasses in protein and mineral contents (Laghari et al. 2000). Egyptian clover is
the major winter forage crop cultivated in the Nile Delta and Valley in both the old
and the new lands. It occupies almost half of the cultivated area in the winter season.
S. Ouda et al.