Course code HidZ3029
Credit points 1.50
Soil and Water Conservation III
Total Hours in Course40
Number of hours for lectures8
Number of hours for seminars and practical classes8
Independent study hours24
Date of course confirmation17.02.2015
Responsible UnitInstutute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering
Course developers
Linda Grinberga
Ph.D.
Viesturs Jansons
Dr. sc. ing.
Replaced course
VidEB004 [GVIEB004] Soil and Water Conservation III
Course abstract
Irrigation: history and development in the world, EU and Latvia. Water balance of the soil and irrigation requirement of the agriculural crops. Types of the irrigation systems. Surface irrigation (furrow irrigation, border irrigation, basin irrigation). Sprinkler irrigation, sprinkler equipment and practice. Drip (tricle) irrigation. Subsurface irrigation. Water sources, layout and design of pipelines. Irrigation water quality. Maintenance of irrigation systems.
Learning outcomes and their assessment
• The course develops knowledge and understanding on the development of irrigation and its role to provide suitable soil water balance for crops.
• The course enables students with an ability to evaluate soil moisture balance and use of water resources with the scope on course works, projects and graduation works in the field of their study topic.
• The course elaborates competence to use the basic principles of irrigation that govern the control of soil moisture problems, that students can then bring to elaborate their projects and research approaches on relevant issues of their main field of studies.
Course Content(Calendar)
1. History, development and importance of irrigation in agriculture (globally and in Latvia) (1h)
2. Irrigation techniques (1h)
3. None-pressure surface irrigation. Furrow irrigation (1h)
4. None-pressure surface irrigation. Border and basin irrigation (1h)
5. Sprinkler irrigation. Types and constructions of rain devices (1h)
6. Volume guns, side role systems (1h)
7. Traveling big guns (1h)
8. Centre pivot systems (1h)
9. Drip (trikkle) irrigation system, construction and operating (1h)
10. Double-sided humidity control systems, construction and operating (1h)
11. Water supply network, construction and materials (1h)
12. Pumping stations for irrigation (1h)
13. Water sources for irrigation, quality requirements (1h)
14. Maintenance of irrigation systems (1h)
15. Hydroponics and aquaponics (1h)
16. Final assessment (1h)
Part time extramural studies:
All topics specified for full time studies are accomplished, but the number of contact hours is one half of the number specified in the calendar
Requirements for awarding credit points
Successfully passed final test on the lecture topic
Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work
The student learns the theoretical part by participating in lectures and independently studying the recommended literature. The acquired theoretical knowledge is used to take the final exam at the end of the theoretical part. In the final exam, the student successfully passes the test by answering the questions discussed in the lectures
Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes
The test for the theoretical part is organized in writing in the e-study environment and consists of 50 questions. To pass the test, at least 50% (25 questions) have to be answered correctly.
Compulsory reading
1. Hoffman G.J., Evans R. G., Jensen M. E., Martin D. L., Elliott R. L. Design And Operation of Farm Irrigation Systems. 2nd Edition. American Society of Agricultural Engineers. 2007. 863 p.
2. Irrigation of Agricultural Crops. Co-editors: R.J. Lascano, R.E. Sojka. 2nd ed. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy ; Crop Science Society of America ; Soil Science Society of America, 2007. 664 p.
3. USDA, NRCS Irrigation Handbooks. Part 652 - National Irrigation Guide. PDF Electronic Version, ftp://ftp.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/wntsc/waterMgt/irrigation/NEH15/ch1.pdf
4. USDA mājas lapa par apūdeņošanu http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/
Further reading
1. Labrencis V., Sudārs R.. Meža meliorācija.Latvijas Lauksaimniecības universitāte. Vides un ūdenssaimniecības katedra. Jelgava: LLU, 2005. 165 lpp.
2. Sauka O., Bušmanis P. uc. Lauksaimniecības hidrotehniskā meliorācija.O. Sauka, P. Bušmanis u.c. Rīga: Zvaigzne, 1987. 296 lpp.
3. Melvyn K. Surface irrigation systems and practice. Oxford, England.Cranfield press. 1986. 615 p.
Periodicals and other sources
1. Agro Tops: Zinātniski praktisks žurnāls zemniekiem un lauku uzņēmējiem. www.agrtops.lv. ISSN 1407-5164
2. Saimnieks.LV: Zinātniski praktisks žurnāls zemniekiem un lauku uzņēmējiem. www.saimnieks.lv. ISSN 1691-1590
Notes
Compulsory course in full-time studies of professional bachelor’s study programme “Environment and Water Management” of the Faculty of Environment and Civil Engineering