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Welcome to The Australian Irrigation Technology Centre

- an independent testing facility for irrigation equipment in Australia

The Australian Irrigation Technology Centre was established in 1989 by the South Australian Government and University of South Australia to undertake testing and research of equipment for the irrigation sector.  Testing and research of irrigation equipment conducted over the years includes a wide range of flow meters, pipes, pipe fittings, valves, emitters, drippers, time taps, moisture sensors and other hydraulic components.

 

 Irrigation site

Aims:

Only 2.5% of world's 1.4 billion Km of water is freshwater, and 70% of it is frozen in the Polar.The Earth's hydrological cycle constantly replenishes the freshwater supply, but less than 1% of world's freshwater is available as a renewable resources. Natural ecosystems, especially wetlands and forests, capture water and stabilize seasonal flow, while recharging groundwater and improving water quality. Irrigated agriculture is the main consumption of available water. On average about 67% of available water is used as irrigation water and in some countries even more than 90% of scarce available water is used for irrigation. Since food security is important for all nations and increasing population. Therefore, sustainable use of water, increasing water use efficiency, implementing modern irrigation systems, reuse of unconventional waters and recycled effluent for irrigation whilst keeping water, soil, plants and environment consistent with a stable ecosystem are essential for a sustainable future. Irrigation and hydraulic technology centre is established to work on the following issues for securing a sustainable irrigation management;

  • Problem solving/thinking skills in specific irrigation context

  • A rational for sustainable and efficient irrigation practice based on understanding climatic changes, climatic evaporative demand, plant water requirements, soil and water physics and relation between plant, soil and water

  • Understanding reuse of unconventional (recycle) water as a valuable alternative resource for fresh water in a sustainable environment

  • Understanding the complicated salinity problems in root zone, land degradation and the proper management for reducing the rate of soil and water deterioration

  • Management and evaluation strategies for effective irrigation practice

Our mission :

Water withdrawal measures the quantity of water taken from a source and used for agricultural, industrial, and domestic purposes. The large portion of available water used in most countries, where freshwater resources are scarce, is mainly allocated to irrigation projects. Agriculture is the main consumption of available water. On average about 67% of available water in the world and in some coteries more than 90% of scarce available water is used for irrigation. Sustainable use of water, increasing water use efficiency, implementing modern irrigation systems, reuse of unconventional waters (saline, brackish, recycled) at the same time salinity build up management keeping water, soil, plants and environment consistent with a stable ecosystem are essential for a sustainable future. In line with this issues research and education at professional level are two main components of our mission .


Research Projects :

1. Measuring in Situ Verification of Meter for nonurban (irrigation) water
    supply (2007-2008)

2. Evaluation the performance of irrigation management in the Virginia
    horticulture district for sustainable use of available water

3. Soil salinity build-up and expansion of recycled water use in the
    North Adelaide  Plains

4. Salinity build up and nutrient efficiency in subsurface drip
    irrigation systems in Tomato crop

Enquiry:

At present, there are several PhD students and a number of visiting researchers and exchange students in the Group. For potential applicants of PhD and Master's research, or if you have any other enquiries, please contact Mr. David Pezzaniti at: david.pezzaniti@unisa.edu.au, or by phone: +61 8 8302 3652, or A/Prof. Ali Hassanli at ali.hassanli@unisa.edu.au, and by phone: +61 8 8302 3179.



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