If you use this worksheet, please acknowledge use as follows: Savage MJ, 2011.

A spreadsheet for irrigation

Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum Research Unit, School of Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZ

Exercise 7: Irrigation schedule

Note: In playing this game we try to eliminate runoff since this is wasted water and possible nutrients if nutrients h
• A rainfall of less than 10 mm is neglected unless it occurs during an irrigation or before or after another rainfall o
• Rainfall are 85 % effective
• Total evaporation = Crop factor x Class A-pan evaporation
• Irrigation is 80 % effective
• Net gain or loss for a day = effective rainfall - total evaporation + effective irrigation
• Amount in soil = previous days amount + net gain or loss
• Assume initial amount in soil is 75 mm
• Assume that the ideal amount in the soil for good plant growth = 100 mm
• Assume that amounts in excess of 100 mm runoff and are wasted - applied chemicals and water

(a) The game

The game is to decide when to irrigate - either 35 mm in column G for Exercise 7(a) or 65 mm per application for E
Exercise 7(c) is similar but for drier weather conditions
Other than column G, do not alter any other cells
Once you have completed the exercise, click on the graphs worksheet to view the results
Copy the graph to Word and include with your hand-in for marking

Exercise 7(a): High frequency, half amount (35 mm per application)

Day Preciptation Class A Crop Total Irrigation

Actual Effective pan factor evaporation Actual Effective
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
1
2 10.0 0.0 3.2 0.8 2.6 0.0 0.0
3 0.0 0.0 4.6 0.8 3.7 0.0 0.0
4 0.0 0.0 7.5 0.8 6.0 0.0 0.0
5 10.0 0.0 1.2 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.0
6 0.0 0.0 8.4 0.8 6.7 0.0 0.0
7 0.2 0.0 10.9 0.8 8.7 0.0 0.0
8 0.0 0.0 8.6 0.8 6.9 0.0 0.0
9 0.0 0.0 6.2 0.8 5.0 0.0 0.0
10 11.2 9.5 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.0
11 0.3 0.3 10.5 0.8 8.4 0.0 0.0
12 0.0 0.0 10.4 0.8 8.3 0.0 0.0
13 0.0 0.0 9.6 0.8 7.7 0.0 0.0
14 0.0 0.0 9.9 0.8 7.9 0.0 0.0
15 0.0 0.0 8.7 0.8 7.0 0.0 0.0
16 0.0 0.0 9.5 0.9 8.6 0.0 0.0
17 0.0 0.0 11.3 0.9 10.2 0.0 0.0
18 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
19 0.0 0.0 10.1 0.9 9.1 0.0 0.0
20 10.2 8.7 5.0 0.9 4.5 0.0 0.0
21 10.3 8.8 6.3 0.9 5.7 0.0 0.0
22 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
23 0.0 0.0 11.2 0.9 10.1 0.0 0.0
24 0.0 0.0 10.2 0.9 9.2 0.0 0.0
25 0.0 0.0 9.7 0.9 8.7 0.0 0.0
26 5.0 0.0 9.2 0.9 8.3 0.0 0.0
27 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
 28 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0
29 0.0 0.0 8.2 0.9 7.4 0.0 0.0
30 10.1 8.6 3.2 0.9 2.9 0.0 0.0
31 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
32 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0

Exercise 7(b): Low frequency, 65 mm per application

Day Preciptation Class A Crop Total Irrigation

Actual Effective pan factor evaporation Actual Effective
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
1
2 10.0 0.0 3.2 0.8 2.6 0.0 0.0
3 0.0 0.0 4.6 0.8 3.7 0.0 0.0
4 0.0 0.0 7.5 0.8 6.0 0.0 0.0
5 10.0 0.0 1.2 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.0
6 0.0 0.0 8.4 0.8 6.7 0.0 0.0
7 0.2 0.0 10.9 0.8 8.7 0.0 0.0
8 0.0 0.0 8.6 0.8 6.9 0.0 0.0
9 0.0 0.0 6.2 0.8 5.0 0.0 0.0
10 11.2 9.5 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.0
11 0.3 0.3 10.5 0.8 8.4 0.0 0.0
12 0.0 0.0 10.4 0.8 8.3 0.0 0.0
13 0.0 0.0 9.6 0.8 7.7 0.0 0.0
14 0.0 0.0 9.9 0.8 7.9 0.0 0.0
15 0.0 0.0 8.7 0.8 7.0 0.0 0.0
16 0.0 0.0 9.5 0.9 8.6 0.0 0.0
17 0.0 0.0 11.3 0.9 10.2 0.0 0.0
18 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
19 0.0 0.0 10.1 0.9 9.1 0.0 0.0
20 10.2 8.7 5.0 0.9 4.5 0.0 0.0
21 10.3 8.8 6.3 0.9 5.7 0.0 0.0
22 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
23 0.0 0.0 11.2 0.9 10.1 0.0 0.0
24 0.0 0.0 10.2 0.9 9.2 0.0 0.0
25 0.0 0.0 9.7 0.9 8.7 0.0 0.0
26 5.0 0.0 9.2 0.9 8.3 0.0 0.0
27 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
28 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0
29 0.0 0.0 8.2 0.9 7.4 0.0 0.0
30 10.1 8.6 3.2 0.9 2.9 0.0 0.0
31 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
32 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0

Exercise 7(c): High frequency, 35 mm per application - drier weather conditions

Day Preciptation Class A Crop Total Irrigation

Actual Effective pan factor evaporation Actual Effective
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
1
2 0.0 0.0 3.2 0.8 2.6 0.0 0.0
3 0.0 0.0 4.6 0.8 3.7 0.0 0.0
4 0.0 0.0 7.5 0.8 6.0 0.0 0.0
 5 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.8 1.0 0.0 0.0
6 0.0 0.0 8.4 0.8 6.7 0.0 0.0
7 0.0 0.0 10.9 0.8 8.7 0.0 0.0
8 0.0 0.0 8.6 0.8 6.9 0.0 0.0
9 0.0 0.0 6.2 0.8 5.0 0.0 0.0
10 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.8 0.9 0.0 0.0
11 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.8 8.4 0.0 0.0
12 0.0 0.0 10.4 0.8 8.3 0.0 0.0
13 0.0 0.0 9.6 0.8 7.7 0.0 0.0
14 0.0 0.0 9.9 0.8 7.9 0.0 0.0
15 0.0 0.0 8.7 0.8 7.0 0.0 0.0
16 0.0 0.0 9.5 0.9 8.6 0.0 0.0
17 0.0 0.0 11.3 0.9 10.2 0.0 0.0
18 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
19 0.0 0.0 10.1 0.9 9.1 0.0 0.0
20 0.0 0.0 5.0 0.9 4.5 0.0 0.0
21 0.0 0.0 6.3 0.9 5.7 0.0 0.0
22 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
23 0.0 0.0 11.2 0.9 10.1 0.0 0.0
24 0.0 0.0 10.2 0.9 9.2 0.0 0.0
25 0.0 0.0 9.7 0.9 8.7 0.0 0.0
26 0.0 0.0 9.2 0.9 8.3 0.0 0.0
27 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
28 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0
29 0.0 0.0 8.2 0.9 7.4 0.0 0.0
30 0.0 0.0 3.2 0.9 2.9 0.0 0.0
31 0.0 0.0 10.5 0.9 9.5 0.0 0.0
32 0.0 0.0 9.1 0.9 8.2 0.0 0.0
. A spreadsheet for irrigation scheduling.
ciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

possible nutrients if nutrients have been added to the water (fertigation).

efore or after another rainfall or irrigation event

als and water

or 65 mm per application for Exercise 7(b)

Net gain Calc am- Actual am- Runoff Warning

or loss ount in soil ount in soil amount
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
75.0 75.0 fine?
-2.6 72.4 72.4 0.0 fine?
-3.7 68.8 68.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.0 62.8 62.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-1.0 61.8 61.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.7 55.1 55.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.7 46.4 46.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.9 39.5 39.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-5.0 34.5 34.5 0.0 Irrigate?
8.6 43.2 43.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.1 35.0 35.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 26.7 26.7 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.7 19.0 19.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.9 11.1 11.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.0 4.1 4.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.6 -4.4 -4.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.2 -14.6 -14.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -24.0 -24.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.1 -33.1 -33.1 0.0 Irrigate?
4.2 -29.0 -29.0 0.0 Irrigate?
3.1 -25.9 -25.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -35.3 -35.3 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.1 -45.4 -45.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.2 -54.6 -54.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.7 -63.3 -63.3 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 -71.6 -71.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -81.0 -81.0 0.0 Irrigate?
 -8.2 -89.2 -89.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.4 -96.6 -96.6 0.0 Irrigate?
5.7 -90.9 -90.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -100.4 -100.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.2 -4.1 -4.1 0.0 Irrigate?

Net gain Calc am- Actual am- Runoff Warning

or loss ount in soil ount in soil amount
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
75.0 75.0 fine?
-2.6 72.4 72.4 0.0 fine?
-3.7 68.8 68.8 0.0 fine?
-6.0 62.8 62.8 0.0 fine?
-1.0 61.8 61.8 0.0 fine?
-6.7 55.1 55.1 0.0 fine?
-8.7 46.4 46.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.9 39.5 39.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-5.0 34.5 34.5 0.0 Irrigate?
8.6 43.2 43.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.1 35.0 35.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 26.7 26.7 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.7 19.0 19.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.9 11.1 11.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.0 4.1 4.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.6 -4.4 -4.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.2 -14.6 -14.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -24.0 -24.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.1 -33.1 -33.1 0.0 Irrigate?
4.2 -29.0 -29.0 0.0 Irrigate?
3.1 -25.9 -25.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -35.3 -35.3 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.1 -45.4 -45.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.2 -54.6 -54.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.7 -63.3 -63.3 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 -71.6 -71.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -81.0 -81.0 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.2 -89.2 -89.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.4 -96.6 -96.6 0.0 Irrigate?
5.7 -90.9 -90.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -100.4 -100.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.2 -4.1 -4.1 0.0 Irrigate?

Net gain Calc am- Actual am- Runoff Warning

or loss ount in soil ount in soil amount
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
75.0 75.0 fine?
-2.6 72.4 72.4 0.0 fine?
-3.7 68.8 68.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.0 62.8 62.8 0.0 Irrigate?
 -1.0 61.8 61.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.7 55.1 55.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.7 46.4 46.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-6.9 39.5 39.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-5.0 34.5 34.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-0.9 33.6 33.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.4 25.2 25.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 16.9 16.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.7 9.2 9.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.9 1.3 1.3 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.0 -5.6 -5.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.6 -14.2 -14.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.2 -24.4 -24.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -33.8 -33.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.1 -42.9 -42.9 0.0 Irrigate?
-4.5 -47.4 -47.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-5.7 -53.1 -53.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -62.5 -62.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-10.1 -72.6 -72.6 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.2 -81.8 -81.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.7 -90.5 -90.5 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.3 -98.8 -98.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -108.2 -108.2 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.2 -116.4 -116.4 0.0 Irrigate?
-7.4 -123.8 -123.8 0.0 Irrigate?
-2.9 -126.7 -126.7 0.0 Irrigate?
-9.5 -136.1 -136.1 0.0 Irrigate?
-8.2 -13.8 -13.8 0.0 Irrigate?
A m ount in soil (m m )

100.0

90.0

80.0

70.0

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0
1 6 11 16 21 26 31
Day
Column K Column K Column K
26 31

mn K