Evaluation of the water resources demand in the traditional irrigation of the Azanaques basin

Ronald Reynaldo Coela Poma; Marcelo Tarqui Delgado

Abstract

The adverse climatic conditions of the department of Oruro are characterized by the low rainfall and high evapotranspiration that limit the production of crops and fodder, for these reasons farmers are in need of resorting to complementary irrigation. For this purpose they use water from the rivers of the Poopó basin, among which is the Azanaque River, which is the only source of water available for irrigation and for animal consumption. Under the current characteristics of traditional irrigation in the study areas, the main objective of the research was to quantify, evaluate and describe the demand of water resources applied to irrigation at the parcel level, because it is not known whether the applied Are above or below actual crop requirements if their management in the application presents acceptable efficiencies or if it is influenced by the organization and management of irrigation. The methodology consisted in soil sampling, soil moisture measurements, infiltration tests and estimation of the plot water balance. It was concluded that Azanaque river water has an average pH of 5.22 classified as normal to moderately acid with low Sodium and boron, can be used without restriction in most soils and crops. The water volume offered in the basin is lower in most of the crop cycle except for the period from February to April, where the supply is higher due mainly to the low irrigation efficiencies of the systems.