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AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS
Department of Agribusiness
& Supply Chain Management

5814 - Introduction to Environment and to Water Resources Management

Content

Theoretical part

    1. Introduction (hydrologic cycle, importance of irrigation, irrigation in Greece, sustainable agricultural water use
    2. Soil and water relationship
    3. Soil water and plant relationship
    4. Irrigation systems
    5. Crop water needs (evapotranspiration, calculation methods, crop coefficients, crop irrigation needs)
    6. Irrigation planning (irrigation dose, range, etc)
    7. Irrigation water quality
    8. Irrigation methods. Selection Criteria. Advantages and disadvantages of irrigation systems
    9. Irrigation efficiency. Irrigation water management in Greece (institutional framework, Land Reclamation Organizations, management problems)
    10. Principles of agricultural land drainage
    11. Irrigation practices in vineyards, olives, kiwi and vegetables
    12. Irrigation practices in citrus, deciduous trees, maize and cotton
    13. Innovative irrigation techniques (deficit irrigation, partial rhizosphere drying, precision irrigation)

Laboratory exercises

    1. Determination of soil moisture
    2. Determination of soil water velocity and parameters of ground water movement
    3. Quality parameters of irrigation water (hydraulic conductivity, pH)
    4. Irrigation network connection components
    5. Construction of a small irrigation network
    6. Irrigation water losses
    7. Getting to know the FAO's software "The ETo calculator" for the calculation of evapotranspiration
    8. Determination of plants water status by direct and indirect techniques
    9. Study of the effects of water scarcity on different types of plants growing in containers
    10. Calculation of irrigation dose, duration and range for specific crops
    11. Irrigation studies
    12. Use of irrigation network for the fertilization of crops (fertigation)
    13. Use of irrigation network for weed control (herbigation)

Learning results

The course aims at acquiring basic knowledge on sustainable water resources management and on irrigation planning and application.

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  • understand the basic concepts of the hydrological cycle, water sources and the soil-plant-atmosphere relationship
  • understand and handle issues related to sustainable management and application of irrigation water
  • calculate the crops’ water needs
  • recognize the components of an irrigation network as well as their use and connection
  • select and install the most suitable irrigation system
  • understand the basic concepts and importance of drainage in agriculture

General Competences:
Adapting to new situations
Decision-making
Working independently
Teamwork
Working in an international environment
Working in an interdisciplinary environment
Project planning and management
Production of free, creative and inductive thinking

Bibliography

Suggested Bibliography in Greek Language:

  • Χαρτζουλάκης, Κ.Σ. (2019). Η άρδευση των καλλιεργειών: Μέθοδοι, σχεδιασμός, καινοτόμες τεχνικές, ανάγκες σε νερό, ποιότητα νερού, εφαρμογές. Εκδόσεις ΑγροΤύπος, Αθήνα
  • Τερζίδης, Γ.Α., Παπαζαφειρίου, Ζ.Γ. (1997). Γεωργική Υδραυλική. Εκδόσεις Ζήτη. Θεσσαλονίκη
  • Παπαζαφειρίου, Γ.Ζ. (1999). Οι ανάγκες σε νερό των καλλιεργειών. Εκδόσεις Ζήτη, Θεσσαλονίκη
  • Παπαμιχαήλ, Μ.Δ., Μπαμπατζιμόπουλος, Σ.Χ. (2014). Εφαρμοσμένη Γεωργική Υδραυλική. Εκδόσεις Ζήτη, Θεσσαλονίκη
  • Πουλοβασίλης, Α. (2010). Εισαγωγή στις αρδεύσεις. Εκδόσεις Έμβρυο, Αθήνα
  • Τσακίρης, Γ. (2006). Υδραυλικά Έργα: Σχεδιασμός & Διαχείριση. Τόμος ΙΙ: Εγγειοβελτιωτικά Έργα. Εκδόσεις Συμμετρία, Αθήνα

    • Suggested Bibliography in English Language:

  • Bartram, J., Ballance, R. (1996). Water Quality Monitoring: A Practical Guide to the Design and Ιmplementation of Freshwater Quality Studies and Monitoring Programmes. Taylor & Francis, UK
  • Ali, M.H. (2010). Fundamentals of irrigation and on farm water management. Springer-Verlag, NY
  • Waller, P., Yitayew, M. (2015). Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland
  • FAO (2002). Irrigation Manual: Surface Irrigation Systems, Volume II, Module 7. Harare.
  • FAO (2002). Irrigation Manual: Sprinkler Irrigation Systems, Volume III, Module 8. Harare.
  • FAO (2002). Irrigation Manual: Localized Irrigation Systems, Volume IV, Module 9. Harare.

    • Related academic Journals:

  • Agricultural Water Management
  • Irrigation Science
  • Irrigation and Drainage
  • International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management
  • Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

    • Instructor's Notes

    Faculty

    Office Hours: Monday 08:30-10:30 and Tuesday 12:30-14:30 (tel.: 2262022569)
    amertzanis@aua.gr
    Aristeidis Mertzanis, is a Professor of Environmental Impact Assessment - Environmental Geomorphology at the […]

    NEWSLETTER

    The Department was created in 2019 (article 20, Law 4589/2019) and is an evolution of the Supply Systems Management Department (D.S.E.). Housed in a 770 sq.m. building. within a plot with a total area of 8,000 sq.m. in facilities with extensive research and teaching spaces.
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