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Irrigation Methods

The document discusses various irrigation methods used in farming. It begins by defining irrigation and irrigation methods. The main objectives of irrigation methods are to supply water to the soil for crop growth and maximize yields while using water efficiently. The appropriate irrigation method depends on factors like topography, climate, soil type, and crops. Common methods described include surface irrigation techniques like flood, basin, border, and furrow irrigation. Subsurface irrigation and microirrigation methods like drip irrigation are also outlined. Requirements, advantages, and disadvantages of different methods are provided.

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Loumarie Zepeda
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117 views

Irrigation Methods

The document discusses various irrigation methods used in farming. It begins by defining irrigation and irrigation methods. The main objectives of irrigation methods are to supply water to the soil for crop growth and maximize yields while using water efficiently. The appropriate irrigation method depends on factors like topography, climate, soil type, and crops. Common methods described include surface irrigation techniques like flood, basin, border, and furrow irrigation. Subsurface irrigation and microirrigation methods like drip irrigation are also outlined. Requirements, advantages, and disadvantages of different methods are provided.

Uploaded by

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

• Understand the essential methods in irrigating farm


lands
• Appreciate the importance of water in daily life
• Create a sketch of irrigation plan
IRRIGATION METHODS
Contents:
• Definitions
• Objective of irrigation methods
• Choice of irrigation methods
• Requirements of irrigation methods
• Different methods of irrigation
IRRIGATION…?

• Pouring water to the soil using proper methods and in proper times as
required by the plant growth as a result of insufficient rain.

IRRIGATION METHOD…?
• The design, equipment and technique of replenishing the soil water
deficit by applying irrigation water is referred to as irrigation method.
OBJECTIVES OF IRRIGATION METHODS

• The primary objective of any irrigation method is to


supply water to soil so that moisture will be readily
available at any times for crop growth
• To ensure maximum yield at optimum water utilization
• To increase water use efficiency
CHOICE OF IRRIGATION METHODS

Topography of area to Climate of the area


be irrigated
Water
supply
available

Soils of the area Crops to be grown


REQUIREMENTS OF AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

• Application within desirable limits.

• Afford a uniform water distribution in root zone of a


crop with as small as 6 cm applications for light
irrigation.

• Allow heavy uniform application of 15 to 20 cm of


water depth.

• Suitable for use with economical conveyance structure.


Conti….
• Facilitate mechanized farming

• Occupy minimum land under bunds etc

• Inexpensive and economically justifiable

• High efficiency of water application

• Minimum wastage of water either through surface


runoff or through deep percolation below the root
zone of a crop.
DIFFERENT METHODS OF IRRIGATION

Surface Irrigation

Subsurface
Irrigation

Pressure Irrigation
Surface irrigation

Flood
Irrigation
Basin
Irrigation
Border
Irrigation
Furrow
Irrigation
FLOOD IRRIGATION

Just flooding water. About 90% of the irrigated areas in the world are by
this method.
• Water is applied to the field in either the controlled or uncontrolled manner.
• Controlled: Water is applied from the head ditch and guided by
corrugations, furrows, borders, or ridges.
• Uncontrolled: Wild flooding.
• Surface irrigation is entirely practiced where water is abundant. The low
initial cost of development is later offset by high labour cost of applying
water. There are deep percolation, runoff and drainage problems
FLOOD IRRIGATION

 
ADVANTAGES

• The method is suitable for all medium to fine texture soils.


• It has low cost and does not interfere with tillage.
• Allows use of machinery for land preparation, cultivation
and harvesting.
• Helps to store the required amount of water in the capillary
zone of the soil for supply to the root zone of plants.
DISADVANTAGES

• Wasteful use of water


• Non-uniform distribution of water
• Excessive soil erosion on steeper slopes
• Greater loss of water by surface runoff, infiltration and deep
percolation
• Low efficiency due to imperfect control over the water flow
• Inferior quality crops with a low yield
• Wasteful use of water compared to better irrigation methods
BASIN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

In basin irrigation, water is flooded in wider


areas.
• It is ideal for irrigating rice.
• The area is normally flat.
• In basin irrigation, a very high stream size is
introduced into the basin so that rapid movement
of water is obtained.
• Water does not infiltrate a lot initially.
• At the end, a bond is put and water can pond the
field.
• The opportunity time difference between the
upward and the downward ends are reduced.
BORDER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

• In a border irrigation, controlled surface


flooding is practiced whereby the field is
divided up into strips by parallel ridges.
• Each strip is irrigated separately by
introducing water upstream and it
progressively covers the entire strip.
• Border irrigation is suited for crops that can
withstand flooding for a short time e.g. wheat.
• It can be used for all crops provided that the
system is designated to provide the needed
water control for irrigation of crops.
• It is suited to soils between extremely high and
very low infiltration rates.
FURROW IRRIGATION

• In furrow irrigation, only a part of the land surface (the furrow) is wetted thus
minimizing evaporation loss.
• Furrow irrigation is adapted for row crops like corn, banana, tobacco, and cabbage.
It is also good for grains.
• Furrow irrigation is adapted for irrigating on various slopes except on steep ones
because of erosion and bank overflow.
FURROW IRRIGATION
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION

• Practice applied in places where natural soil and topographic condition favours water
application to the soil under the surface.

These conditions include:


• Impervious layer at 15 cm depth or more
• Pervious soil underlying the restricting layer
• Uniform topographic condition
• Moderate slopes
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION Contd.

• The operation of the system involves a huge reservoir of water and level is controlled
by inflow and outflow.
• The inflow is water application and rainfall while the outflow is evapotranspiration
and deep percolation.
• It does not disturb normal farm operations.
MICROIRRIGATION

• Delivery of water at low flow rates through various types of water applicators
by a distribution system located on the soil surface, beneath the surface, or
suspended above the ground.
• Water is applied as drops, tiny streams, or spray, through emitters, sprayers,
or porous tubing.
WATER APPLICATION CHARACTERISTICS

• Low rates
• Over long periods of time
• At frequent intervals
• Near or directly into the root zone
• At low pressure
• Usually maintain relatively high water content
• Used on higher value agricultural/horticultural crops and in landscapes and
nurseries
DRIP IRRIGATION

• Water is applied directly to the crop i.e. entire field is not wetted.
• Water is conserved
• Weeds are controlled because only the places getting water can grow weeds.
• There is a low pressure system.
• There is reduced evaporation, only potential transpiration is considered.
• There is no need for a drainage system.
DRIP IRRIGATION

• In Drip Irrigation, the plant foliage remains dry .


This prevents the diseases and leaf burns that are
sometimes evident in sprinkler Irrigation.
• Drip Irrigation is well suited to all soils and also
for heavy soils with low infiltration rate or soils
that from surface crusts when sprinkled.
• In Drip Irrigation, the area between wetted strips is
kept dry. This facilitates the movement of
machinery and farm implements when irrigation
is in progress.
• Drip Irrigation requires no special land
preparation.
DRIP IRRIGATION

• Drip Irrigation can not be used for frost protection or for


cooling during period of hot weather like sprinkler irrigation.
• Like sprinkler irrigation, Drip Irrigation can not be used or
suitable for supplemental irrigation of large areas.
• In dry , windy regions, Drip Irrigation of young tree plants in
“light” soils encourages soil erosion due to the very limited
wetted area. Strong winds also presents problems of
anchorage.
DRIP IRRIGATION
SPRINKLER IRRIGATION

• Pressurized irrigation through devices called sprinklers.


• Pakistan is fast heading towards a situation of water
shortage with increasing population.
• The surface water availability per capita was 5650
cubic meters in 1951, which reduced to 1400 in 2000.
• The minimum water requirement to avoid being a
"water short country" is 1000 cubic meters.
• In the year 2012 Pakistan will have reached the stage of
"acute water shortage".
• Sprinklers are usually located on pipes called laterals.
• Water is discharged into the air and hopefully infiltrates
near where it lands.
SPRINKLER IRRIGATION

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