The aim of research was to study the efficiency of automation equipment of rice irrigation systems under the water-efficient technology. A large-scale introduction of field experiment on an area of 167 hectares in the production area of rice irrigation systems in Krasnodar territory has been organized and carried out. Automation of rice system has been performed by the patented innovative technical devices – check and canals water flow-level regime regulators. 32 check and six-canal regulators were operated on the main experimental site in 2014–2015. Automation technology includes a set of operations: topographical survey of the area of automation, hydraulic calculation of water flow-level regime, complex installation and maintenance of operations. The dynamic and static characteristics of the control means have been studied in automated system operation. Check regulator response time for closing is 1–5 minutes, for opening is 0.5–1.1 min. Particular attention is given to the accuracy of maintaining the level of rice paddies. During the entire observation period the check flooding level average in rice paddies is equal to 14.82 cm (15.00 cm recommended); regulation accuracy factor (the mean level deviation) was 0.71 cm in magnitude (with an acceptable 2.00 cm). The statistic analysis and forecast of the rice operation system automated by the proposed technology has been carried out on the basis of experimental data. The forecast showed the accuracy of maintaining the level with a deviation of 1.0 cm (in absolute value) on more than 80 % of area and incredibility of accuracy control output beyond the tolerance limits. The efficiency of these tools and automation technologies of rice systems has been proved. A forecast of the automated system operation that guarantees optimal conditions for growing rice and water resources saving has been carried out.
Keywords: rice irrigation system, water-efficient technology, the shortage of water resources, water distribution automation, flow, level, water conservation.
