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Chapter Four

This chapter discusses different irrigation methods including surface, subsurface, and sprinkler irrigation. Surface irrigation methods like basin, border, and furrow irrigation distribute water through small channels that flood the agricultural area. Subsurface or drip irrigation applies water directly to plant roots through an underground pipe network. Sprinkler irrigation uses a network of pipes and sprinklers to spray water over the land like rain. Each method has advantages like water efficiency and disadvantages like costs or labor requirements that determine appropriate applications based on soil, climate, and crop conditions.

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Ephrem Gizachew
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130 views

Chapter Four

This chapter discusses different irrigation methods including surface, subsurface, and sprinkler irrigation. Surface irrigation methods like basin, border, and furrow irrigation distribute water through small channels that flood the agricultural area. Subsurface or drip irrigation applies water directly to plant roots through an underground pipe network. Sprinkler irrigation uses a network of pipes and sprinklers to spray water over the land like rain. Each method has advantages like water efficiency and disadvantages like costs or labor requirements that determine appropriate applications based on soil, climate, and crop conditions.

Uploaded by

Ephrem Gizachew
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER FOUR

IRRIGATION METHODS
Method of Distribution of Irrigation Water….
After an irrigation water is taken from the sources by any of the techniques it can be distributed to the
agricultural field by different methods

2
Surface Irrigation Methods
Design Principles
 Widely used and well-known.
 Can be operated without high-tech applications but it is labour intensive.
 Proper design of irrigation area (e.g. size, slope, levelness) and knowledge about
soil type (e.g. texture, intake rate).
 Capital costs (levelling fields, construction of reservoirs) might be expensive but
Operational costs are low.
 Basically three systems:
o Basin Irrigation
o Border Irrigation
o Furrow Irrigation Design Principles
Cont…
• In this method, the irrigation method is distributed to the agricultural land through
the small channels, which flood the area up to the required depth.

Furrow Irrigation

Basin irrigation

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Applicability of Surface irrigation methods

 The system depends on three factors: type of soil, water quality and climate, plant and
labours.

 Permeable soil: difficult to transport the water over the whole field.

 It can be implemented in windy regions in contrast to sprinkler systems.

 It is not highly automated, but labour intensive.


Pros and Cons of Surface irrigation methods

Advantages Disadvantages
Widely used, thus a minimal understanding of the The soil, which must be used to convey the
system mostly exists. water over the field, has properties that are
Water is transported by gravity. highly varied both spatially and temporally.
Less affected by climatic (wind) and water Less efficient in applying water than either
characteristics (sediment transport). sprinkler systems.
It can be developed at the farm level with The need to use the field surface as a
minimal capital investment. conveyance and distribution facility requires
that fields be well graded if possible.
Surface systems tend to be labour-intensive.
Cont…
2:-Sub-Surface Method of Irrigation (Drip or Trickle method)
• In this method of irrigation, the water is applied to the root zone of the
crops by underground network of pipes

Sub-Surface Method of Irrigation


7
Drip Irrigation
Design Principles

► Water is conveyed under pressure through a pipe system to the fields.

► It drips slowly onto the soil through emitters or drippers which are located close to the
plants.

► Only the root zone is wetted.

► There are very technical systems but also self-made designs.

► It requires relatively small amounts of water, but it is very effective.


 Very appropriate irrigation method, especially in arid and windy areas.
 It is suitable for using recycled municipal wastewater.
Drip Irrigation System Continued

Schematic design of a commercial drip irrigation system. This includes


technical components such as filters, pumps and hydraulic control valves
Pros and Cons of Drip Irrigation
Advantages Disadvantages
 High water application efficiency  Commercial system are expensive
 Minimised fertiliser/nutrient loss due to  The sun can affect the tubes used for drip
localised application irrigation
 Ability to irrigate irregular shaped fields.  Risk of clogging
 Safe use of recycled/ waste- water  Drip irrigation might be unsatisfactory if
 Moisture within the root zone can be maintained herbicides or top dressed fertilisers need
at field capacity and minimised soil erosion sprinkler irrigation for activation
 Soil type plays less important role in frequency  Without sufficient leaching (most drip systems
of irrigation are designed for high efficiency, meaning little
 Highly uniform distribution of water or no leaching fraction), salts applied with the
 Low-pressure operation irrigation water may build up in the root zone
Cont…
3:- Sprinkler Irrigation Method
•

• In this method, the water is applied to the land in the form of spray like rain. The network of
the main pipes, sub main pipes and laterals achieves the spraying of water.

Sprinkler Irrigation Method


11
Continued

Applicability

 Best suited for sandy soils with high infiltration rates, but in general suited for most soil
types.

 Average application rate must lower than the infiltration rate to avoid ponding.

 Not suitable for soils that easily form a crust or in case of risk of salinization.

 Sprinklers that produce a light fine spray should be preferred to avoid damages on
crop/soil.
Pros and Cons

Advantages Disadvantages
 No terracing required  High operation expenses due to the energy need,
 Suitable for almost all types of soil labour and relatively large investment in
 Application rates and times adaptable to the needs equipment
of the plant and soil type  Sensitivity to wind, causing evaporation losses
 Independent from the topography of the area  The unavoidable wetting of foliage in field crops
 No need for channels
results in increased sensitivity to diseases
 Possibility of adding fertilisers or pesticides
 Debris and sediments can cause clogging
 Possibility of irrigating for other purposes:
 Capital cost is high with greater operational costs
sprouting, frost protection or cooling during hot
due to higher energy requirements
periods
Surface Method of Irrigation Sprinkler Irrigation Method

Sub-Surface Method of Irrigation


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END OF CHAPTER 4…….!!!

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