National Program for Sustainable Irrigation

Reports

Some recent NPSI reports are listed below. A full list can be found by searching the Knowledge Base, using NPSI as the keyword. For older studies you may need to enter NPIRD as the keyword.

A Review of Dr Bruce Cockroft's Work for Australian Irrigated Horticulture

For more than 50 years Dr Bruce Cockroft has conducted research aimed at increasing the productivity of irrigated Australian horticulture through improved soil and irrigation management.

His work over the last fifteen years has focussed on the creation and maintenance of "super soil", a soil which regularly produces 2-3 times Australia's best productivity. A theme of this work has been the growth of extensive root systems, improving productivity and yields.

pdf Review of Cockroft's Research Milestone 2 (pdf - 284KB)

Water Recycling in Australia (pdf 888Kb)

A free publication for people seeking more detailed information on recycled water use in Australia, particularly for agricultural and amenity uses.

This free publication is available for order via Land & Water Australia's online catalogue or by contacting Canprint Communications on 1800776616 - quote product code PX061130

Using Recycled Water in Australia - Growers Guide (pdf 851Kb)

This Growers Guide is designed to assist growers in managing irrigation with recycled water.

This free publication is available for order via Land & Water Australia's online catalogue or by contacting Canprint Communications on 180776616 - quote product code PX061131

Scoping Study: Common Hydrological Features in Australian Irrigation Areas

This scoping project investigated the following two questions:

· What is the best way to present material on the common hydro-geological systems where irrigation areas are situated.

· Which hydro-geological systems should be represented?

Scoping Study: Smart systems and system harmonisation (pdf 1.07MB)

Harmonisation is the adaptation of parts to each other in any system or combination of things intended to form a connected whole. How do you achieve an irrigation system within a region that is absolutely resource efficient (resources = natural, human, economic)?

Total System Harmonisation (TSH) requires the use of smart systems that may operate independently but are able to be incorporated into a total irrigation system.

Scoping Study: Soil-water and salt movement associated with precision irrigation systems - research investment opportunities CRCIF technical report 3.13/1

Precision irrigation is defined as: the accurate and precise application of water to meet the specific requirements of individual plants or management units and minimise adverse environmental impact. An important characteristic of a precision irrigation system is that the timing, placement and volume of water applied should match plant water demand.

The concept of precision irrigation can be applied to all forms of irrigation application but is exemplified by a well managed and maintained drip irrigation system where the water is placed either on the surface or in the root zone (subsurface).

Scoping Study: Improving plants' water use efficiency and potential impacts from soil structure change - research investment opportunities CRCIF technical report 3.14/1

Water use efficiency (WUE) is considered as the amount of water transpired relative to the amount applied. Any factor which restricts the expansion and efficiency of the plant root system will reduce WUE. Thus, achieving optimal WUE is not a simple task for any irrigation manager.

Some factors, such as irrigation scheduling can provide relatively immediate returns to irrigators. However, other factors such as leaching fraction and efficiency and soil cations are more strategic concerns. The balancing of short-term management needs with longer term strategic concerns is obviously a requirement not only for irrigation managers, but also for organisations involved in irrigation research and development.