Analysis of Economic Feasibility of Laser-Controlled Leveling Procedure

Field investigations were carried out to assess quantitatively the effect of laser-controlled leveling quality on some irrigation parameters, such as total water-use, and economic factors, including the cost of leveling, water-charge and crop yield. The results showed that total irrigation water amount is appreciably reduced with improvement of S_d value which is the standard deviation of the field surface elevation. In addition, the effect of land-leveling quality on wheat yield appeared to be significant. The economic analysis of income from crop production, water-saving and land-leveling cost at different S_d values showed that for typical conditions in North China an associated benefit/cost ratio (B/C) is acceptable. Improving the leveling quality to a fairly high level by means of laser-controlled leveling procedure was profitable in fields of North China Plain.