Engineering and resource requirements of the bioresource systems of agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture. Design of irrigation and drainage systems.
After completing the course students should be able to:
1. explain the importance of bioresources engineering, in New Zealand as well as in a global context, and understand both the risks and benefits associated with bioresources engineering
2. identify and apply fundamentals and theoretical concepts of bioresources engineering
3. analyse bioresources systems and their design processes, and reflect on & develop possible solutions for problems found in the field of bioresources engineering.
Tonny de Vries
30 Jul 2012
17 Aug 2012
Design Gravity fed irrigation
12 Oct 2012
Subject: bioresources engineering (10%). Build up an evidence portfolio (minimum 5 pieces per person) using sources such as newspapers, journal articles, forum discussions, etc. Using your evidence portfolio, describe what bioresources engineering is and what role it plays in our society. This can be in a New Zealand context or looking more globally. Length: 1.5-2 pages, can be done in pairs in which case 4-5 pages.
Each student is expected to select a project topic by July 20th. Topic allocation is on a first come first served basis. The focus of the report is to be engineering design, engineering management and/or technical aspects of the topic. You may work on the project alone or in pairs if you prefer. You will be expected to present your project in class.
1. Frost protection
2. Design of artificial shelter structures
3. Precision agriculture (use of GPS, GIS and other technology to maximise production and minimise environmental impacts)
4. Soil moisture conservation techniques
5. (Rain) water harvesting techniques
8. Erosion control through use of bioresources
9. Waste as a bio-resource
10. Carbon sequestration
11. Engineering requirements for composting
12. Comparative analysis of crop growth models
13. Comparative analysis of farm simulation models
14. Comparative analysis of simple water balance methods
15. Mole drains
16. Water lifting devices
The following can also be chosen, but check first to prevent overlap with lecture material or other students
17. Irrigation scheduling techniques
18. Irrigation design under saline conditions
19. Central Plains Irrigation Scheme – engineering features (or other irrigation scheme)
20. Micro-irrigation for development
21. Sports turf irrigation
22. Topic of your own choice
Note: the project you choose should be different from your final year project!
One of the main aspects of irrigation and drainage engineering is to put theory into practice. The aim of this project is to design a gravity-fed irrigation system. The chosen location is a small project in Kenya, called Kiboko-Ngulia. There already is an irrigation system in place, but it does not include a drainage system and this is starting to give a problem with salinity and high ground water tables. Redesigning the system will allow the construction of a drainage system and may also allow an increase of the irrigated area.
A minimum 50% pass in the exam and satisfactory performance in the project and assignments is required for passing the course.
Examination and Formal Tests
29 Oct 2012
Allen et al;
Crop evapotranspiration - Guidelines for computing crop water requirements - FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56;
(this book is available online at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/X0490E/x0490e00.HTM).
Doorenbos & Kassam;
Yield Response to Water – FAO Irrigation and drainage paper No. 33;
(This book is available online at: http://www.fao.org/landandwater/aglw/cropwater/parta.stm).
Hoffman, Glenn J;
Design and operation of farm irrigation systems;
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, 2007.
Drainage principles and applications;
(vailable online at: http://www.alterra.wur.nl/NL/publicaties+Alterra/ILRI-publicaties/Downloadable+publications/ it is number 16 on the list).
• Drainage principles and applications (2nd edition, completely revised) by Ritzema (ed.) ISBN 90 70754 339, this book is available online at: http://www.alterra.wur.nl/NL/publicaties+Alterra/ILRI-publicaties/Downloadable+publications/ it is number 16 on the list
• Crop evapotranspiration - Guidelines for computing crop water requirements - FAO Irrigation and drainage paper 56 by Allen et al. ISBN 92-5-104219-5, this book is available online at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/X0490E/x0490e00.HTM
• Yield Response to Water – FAO Irrigation and drainage paper No. 33 by Doorenbos & Kassam. This book is available online at: http://www.fao.org/landandwater/aglw/cropwater/parta.stm
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Additional Course Outline Information
Codes of Behaviour:
Each student should acquaint themselves with the University’s codes, policies, and procedures involving academic misconduct, grievances, sexual and ethnic harassment, and discrimination based on physical handicap.
Dishonest behaviour & Aegrotat:
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies and procedures concerning academic misconduct/dishonest behaviour. All assessments worth at least 10% of the total mark are eligible for Aegrotat consideration IF approved by course coordinator and HOD.
For further information see
Civil and Natural Resources Engineering.
All ENNR431 Occurrences
Semester Two 2012