IRRIGATION

WHAT IS IRRIGATION ?

Irrigation is defined as the artificial application of water to the soil for the purpose of
Plants growth in supplement to rainfall and ground water contribution.

Importance of water to plants

1. Plants contain 90% water which gives turgidity and keeps them erect
2. Water is an essential part of protoplasm.
3. It regulates the temperature of the plant system
4. It is essential to meet the transpiration requirements
5. It serves as a medium for dissolving the nutrients present in the soil
6. It is an important ingredient in photosynthesis
IRRIGATION METHODS AND DESIGNS
a) Surface Irrigation:
Just flooding water.
About 90% of the
IRRIGATION METHODS
irrigated areas in the
world are by this
method.

b) Sub-Surface Irrigation:
Flooding water
underground and
allowing it to come up
by capillarity to plants
roots.

c) Drip or Trickle
Irrigation: Applying
water slowly to the soil
ideally at the same rate
with crop consumption.

d) Sprinkler Irrigation:
Applying water under
pressure. About 5 % of
the irrigated areas are by
this method.
SURFACE IRRIGATION
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 labor cost of applying water.
• There are deep percolation, runoff and
drainage problems

Types of surface irrigation

• Basin Irrigation – Entire field is flooded

• Furrow Irrigation – Water fed into small
channels
• Border Irrigation – Strips of land divided
by low dikes are flooded sequentially
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION
• In subsurface irrigation, water is applied beneath the ground by creating and maintaining an artificial
water table at some depth, usually 30-75 cm below the ground surface.

• Moisture moves upwards towards the land surface through capillary action. Water is applied through
underground field trenches laid 15-30 m apart.

• Open ditches are preferred because they are relatively cheaper and suitable to all types of soil. The
irrigation water should be of good quality to prevent soil salinity.
Advantages of Surface Irrigation

• It is the simplest of all irrigation systems

• Low initial cost
• Low energy costs if gravity can be used to supply the water
• Works well in odd shaped fields

Disadvantages of Surface Irrigation

• High maintenance requirements

• Inefficient in water use
• Nutrients and pesticides are lost by deep percolation below the root zone
• Is not suitable for crops which grow below ground such as potatoes, peanuts, sugar
beets and carrots.
Advantages of sub- Surface
• Minimum water requirement for raising plants
• Minimum evaporation and deep percolation losses
• No wastage of land
• No interference to movement of farm machinery.
• Cultivation operations can be carried out without concern for the irrigation
period.

Disadvantages of sub- Surface

• Requires a special combination of natural conditions.
• There is danger of water logging.
• Possibility of choking of the pipes lay underground.
• High cost.
DRIP OR TRICKLE IRRIGATION
INTRODUCTION:

In this irrigation system:

i) Water is applied directly to the crop ie. entire field is
not wetted.
ii) Water is conserved
(iii) Weeds are controlled because only the places getting
water can grow weeds.
(iv) There is a low pressure system.
(v) There is a slow rate of water application somewhat
matching the consumptive use. Application rate can be as
low as 1 - 12 l/hr.
(vi)There is reduced evaporation, only potential
transpiration is considered.
vii) There is no need for a drainage system
DRIP COMPONENTS
• A drip irrigation system consists of a pump or Control
Head
Unit Wetting Pattern
overhead tank, main line, sub-mains, laterals and
emitters.
Mainli
• The mainline delivers water to the sub-mains and ne
Or
the sub-mains into the laterals. Manifo
ld
• The emitters which are attached to the laterals Emitter
Lateral
distribute water for irrigation.
• The mains, sub-mains are usually made of PVC
(poly vinyl chloride) pipes and laterals of LLDPE
tubes (Linear Low Density Polyethylene). The
emitters are also made of PVC material.
• The other components include pressure regulator,
filters, valves, water meter, fertilizer application
devices etc.
Advantages and disadvantages of drip irrigation
Advantages of drip irrigation
• High water use efficiency (~95%,
compared to less than 50% in surface)
• Flexibility of wetted area
• Versatile selection of emitters: type,
discharge rate, position
• Economy in weed control
• Day and night irrigation
• Prevention of leaf wetting
• Energy saving
• Irrigation at variable topographic
conditions.
Limitation of drip Irrigation
• High investment
• High level of knowledge for optimal and
economical operation
• Susceptibility to mechanical damage
• Large number of emitters
• Long application time
• High level of filtration and other controls
• Maintenance.
 SPRINKLER IRRIGATION
The sprinkler system is ideal in areas where water is scarce.

A Sprinkler system conveys water through pipes and applies it

with a minimum amount of losses.

• Water is applied in form of sprays sometimes simulating

natural rainfall.
• The difference is that this rainfall can be controlled in
duration and intensity.
• If well planned, designed and operated, it can be used in
sloping land to reduce erosion where other systems are not
possible.

DESIGN OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Objectives and Procedures

• Provide Sufficient Flow Capacity to meet the Irrigation Demand

• Ensure that the Least Irrigated Plant receives adequate Water
• Ensure Uniform Distribution of Water.
Components of a Sprinkler Irrigation System
 TYPES OF SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

• Hand Move or Wheel Line Water requirements

• Big Gun The best water sources for a sprinkler

• Solid Set system are a wells and ponds.
Low volumes but a continuous supply is
• Center Pivot needed
• Linear Move

• LEPA (Low Energy Precision Application) Suitable soils

• LESA (Low Elevation Spray Application)
• LPIC (Low Pressure IN Canopy)
• MESA (Mid Elevation Spray Application)
• Variable Rate
Best suited to sandy soils with high
infiltration rates
Adaptable to most soils if runoff is
avoided
Not suitable for soils which easily form
a crust (use fine sprays to avoid crusting)
Advantages and disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation

Advantages of sprinkler Limitations

• Suitable for undulating topography • High initial cost

• Water saving (35-40%) compared to surface • Efficiency is affected by wind

• Higher evaporation losses in spraying
irrigation methods.
water
• Fertilizers and other chemicals can be
• Not suitable for heavy clay soils
applied through irrigation water
• Poor quality water can not be used
• Saving in fertilizers, even distribution and (Sensitivity of crop to saline water and
avoids wastage. clogging of nozzles
• Reduces erosion
• Suitable for coarse textured soils (sandy
soils)
• Frost control - protect crops against frost
and high temperature
• Drainage problems eliminated
• Saving in land