Register      Login
Crop and Pasture Science Crop and Pasture Science Society
Plant sciences, sustainable farming systems and food quality
RESEARCH ARTICLE

The modification of climate near the ground by irrigation for pastures on the Riverine plain

Vries DA de and JW Birch

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 12(2) 260 - 272
Published: 1961

Abstract

Methods are described and results reported of meteorological observations made during the irrigation seasons 1936–57 and 1957–58 at three stations in the Nanneella irrigation area (dimensions approximately 6 by 7 km²) and on a dry-land station nearby. The former stations are situated on irrigated pastures, whilst the latter is on a dry-land pasture. Irrigation gives rise to a decrease of air and soil temperatures and an increase of atmospheric humidity- near the surface of the earth. The magnitudes of these effects depend inter alia on the irrigation rate and the distance down wind in the irrigated area. In summer at an irrigation rate of approximately 0.3 cm/day the observed differences between the dry-land station and a station in the centre of the irrigation area amounted to: 1–2°C for air temperature at screen height (125 cm); approximately 10°C for soil temperatures (at depths of 5 and 30 cm); 5–10% for relative humidity at screen height; 0.5–1.5 mm Hg for vapour pressure at screen height. The differences quoted are for average values of the observed quantities taken over a period of 4 weeks. The observations are presented in more detail in graphical form.

https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9610260

© CSIRO 1961

Committee on Publication Ethics


Export Citation Get Permission

View Dimensions