Yadav, R.S.Nikam, Bhaskar Ramchandra2019-06-192019-06-192004-06http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810109161The selection of an appropriate irrigation method as per site conditions is a prerequisite to attain an optimum level of irrigation efficiency. It involves analysis of large number of parameters and their interactions. It is a laborious and error-prone task if attempted manually. The design of irrigation methods involves large amount of numerical calculations and requires information about the procedure of designing the irrigation system, which is generally not available with the farmers. Considering the above, present study was planned with objective of developing a computer aided expert system for selection and design of irrigation methods. For selection purpose thirteen parameters are recognized. Ten of them are technical parameters, for which the acceptability indices curves are prepared based on their effects on performance of irrigation systems. Ranking of each of the method is done as per the value of irrigation method (VIM). In technical-economic step, three economic parameters are used to determine the relative rank of irrigation method. The best suitable irrigation method for site is selected on the basis of final points. The final points are calculated by assigning weightage of 40% to the technical-economical step and 60% to the analytical-technical step. The best suitable irrigation method is one which has the highest final points. The design of border, basin, furrow and sprinkler irrigation systems are done for maximizing the efficiencies and performance of irrigation system. The volume balance approach is used to design the surface irrigation methods and the semi-portable layout system is considered for designing sprinkler system. The design and selection procedure is linked together and converted to the computer programme written in C++ programming language. For field evaluation of the expert system, the field trial is conducted during Rabi season of the year 2003-2004 on D3 block at CRC, Pantnagar. Information about selection parameters is collected as per the site conditions. With respect to input data, border irrigation method is found to be best suitable for one of the plot and check basin system for other plot. Observations for advance and recession time are recorded for both the irrigation system. It is found that both the irrigation methods are performing with 89 to 91% application efficiency, which is well within the range of designed efficiency. The storage efficiency is 100 % as in all the irrigation events there is complete and over irrigation. Thus, expert system may be used successfully for selection and design of best suitable irrigation method with respect to given field conditions.ennullThesis