IRRIGATION METHODS

A. Surface Irrigation Method

In this method, the irrigation water is distributed to the agricultural land through the small
channels, which flood the area up to the required depth. Either the entire field is flooded (basin
irrigation) or the water is fed into small channels (furrows) or strips of land (borders).

furrow irrigation -method of irrigation where water runs through small parallel channels as it
moves down the slope of the field.

basin irrigation - type of surface irrigation where water is applied to the basin through a gap in
the perimeter dike or adjacent ditch; water is retained until it infiltrates into the soil or the excess
is drained off.

border irrigation -method of irrigation which makes use of parallel border strips where the
water flows down the slope at a nearly uniform depth

drip irrigation or trickle irrigation - It allows frequent or slow application of water either directly
on land surface or into the root zones of the crops. It consists of extensive network of small
pipes that deliver filtered water to the soil near the plant root. It involves dripping water onto the
soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from the emitters where water is applied close to plants
so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted. The soil volume wetted depend
upon the flow rate, soil type, soil moisture and permeability of the soil.

1. by overhead irrigation, wherein the soil is moistened in much the same way as rain

a.Watering can. It is the simplest piece of overhead irrigation

equipment and is commonly used in small-scale upland farming.
Since the water is carried by hand, this method is limited to small
plots with easily accessible source of water. The size of the plot
depends largely upon its distance from the source, and the time
that it takes to fill the can at the source.

b. Hose pipe. This method can be used if

there is a piped water-distribution system where a hose pipe can
be connected to a tap or outlet and there is enough pressure in the
water as it emerges from the hose pipe. A major disadvantage of
this system is likely to be the cost of the water supply.

c. Sprinkler Irrigation. This method

is the application of water to the
surface of the soil in the form of spray, simulating that of
rain. The spray is produced by the flow of water under
pressure through small orifices or nozzles. Pumping usually
provides the pressure. With careful selection of nozzle sizes,
operating pressure, and sprinkler spacing, the amount of
irrigation water required to refill the crop-root zone can be
 applied nearly uniformly at a rate to suit the infiltration rate of the soil to obtain efficient
irrigation.
2. furrows, which wets only a part of the ground surface

▪ Furrow irrigation. It is accomplished by running water through small

channels or furrows while it moves down or across the slope of the field.
The water sips into the bottom and sides of the furrows to provide the
desired wetting. Careful land grading for uniform slopes is essential with
this method.

▪ Corrugation irrigation. It is
a variation of the furrow
method and it uses small rills
or corrugations for irrigating closely spaced crops,
such as small grains and pastures. The water seeps
laterally through the soil, wetting the area between
the corrugations.

3. by flooding, which wets the entire land surface

▪ Ordinary flooding.
Water is applied from field ditches to guide its flow and it is difficult
to attain high irrigation efficiency using this method. The chief
advantage of this method is its low initial cost of preparing the
land.

▪ Border-strip flooding. A field is

divided into a series of strips by
borders or ridges running down
the predominant slope or on the contour. To irrigate, water is
released into the head of the border. The water, confined and
guided by two adjacent borders, advances in a thin sheet
toward the lower end of the strip. The objective is to allow a
sheet of water to advance down the narrow strip of land,
allowing it to enter the soil as the water advances.

▪ Level-border or basin irrigation. Water is supplied to level

plots surrounded by dikes or levees. This method is particularly
useful on fine-textured soils with low permeability, it is
necessary to hold the water on the surface to secure adequate penetration.

▪ Contour-ditch irrigation. It involves controlled

flooding from field ditches along the contour of the
land, which allows the water to flood down the slope
between field ditches without employing dikes or other
means that guide or restrict its movement.
4. by drip or trickle irrigation wherein the water is directed to the base of the plant. Water is
applied to the soil through small orifices. The small orifices, often called emitters, are designed
to discharge water at rates of 1 to 8 liters per hour. Water is delivered to the orifices through
plastic pipelines, which are generally laid on the soil surface or buried. The rate of discharge is
determined by the size of the orifice and the pressure in the pipelines. This method is
particularly beneficial for young orchards, vineyards, closed-spaced perennials, and other crops
of high value and in areas where water is scarce or has a high salt content. A highly efficient
water utilization can be achieved with this method, bit it is very expensive.

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. The lateral pipe may be
perforated at the top and side through which the water comes out in the form of spray and
spread over the crop in a particular area. Again, the lateral pipes may contain series of nozzles
through which the water comes out as fountain and spread over the crop in a particular area.
With regulated supply rate, deep percolation, surface runoff, and erosion can be minimized. This
method involves a relatively high cost of installation because a pumping station is necessary to
supply water to the sprinklers.

Sprinkler Irrigation Components

Pump Unit – delivers water from the source to the pipe system at an adequate capacity.
Filtration System – consists of screen openings considerably lower than the nozzle diameter to
prevent nozzles from clogging.
Sprinklers – device of various nozzle sizes which sprays water over the ground or crop.
Types of Sprinkler:
1.Impact type sprinkler 2. Rotor and Gear Rotating Sprinkler 3. Stationary
Sprinklers

Mainline and Submainlines – pipes which convey water from the pump to the laterals.
Laterals – deliver water from the mainlines or submainlines to the sprinklers.
General Design Criteria:
Type of Crop – Sprinkler irrigation shall be used in crops and trees where water can be
sprayed over or under the crop canopy. Large sprinklers shall not be used in delicate crops to
avoid damage.
Slope – Sprinkler irrigation can be used in uniform or undulating slopes. Lateral pipes shall
always be laid out along the land contour whenever possible in order to minimize the pressure
changes at the sprinklers and provide uniform irrigation.
Soil Type – Sprinkler irrigation may be used in almost any type of soil except those which easily
form a crust. It is best used in sandy soils with high infiltration rates. The application rate shall
always be less than the basic infiltration rate of the soil.
Irrigation Water – The irrigation water shall be free of suspended sediments to avoid nozzle
blockage.
Advantages

 No terracing required
 Suitable to all types of soil except heavy clay
 Suitable for irrigating crops where the plant population per unit area is very high
 Influences greater conducive micro-climate
 Areas located at a higher elevation than the source can be irrigated
 Possibility of using soluble fertilizers and chemicals

Disadvantages

 Incurs high operation expenses due to the energy needed for pumping, labour and relatively
large investment in equipment: sprinklers and pipes
 Sensitivity to wind, causing evaporation losses
 The unavoidable wetting of foliage in field crops results in increased sensitivity to diseases
 Debris and sediments can cause clogging
 Capital cost is high with greater operational costs due to higher energy requirements

With proper design and installation, sprinkler irrigation system will operate for many years
provided they are operated and maintained properly

Drip Irrigation Method

Also known as or trickle irrigation. It allows frequent or slow application of water either directly
on land surface or into the root zones of the crops. It consists of extensive network of small
pipes that deliver filtered water to the soil near the plant root. It involves dripping water onto the
soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from the emitters where water is applied close to plants
so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted. The soil volume wetted depend
upon the flow rate, soil type, soil moisture and permeability of the soil.

Drip Irrigation Components

Control head - consists of valves to control the discharge and pressure in the entire system
which may have filters and a a fertilizer or nutrient tank.
Pump unit - takes water from the source and provides the right pressure for delivery into the
pipe system

Main, submain lines and laterals - supply water from the control head into the fields which are
usually made from PVC or polyethylene hose and should be buried below ground because they
easily degrade when exposed to direct solar radiation

Manifold – contains filters, pressure regulators, air and/or vacuum relief valves

Filter – removes particle to prevent emitter clogging where its net diameter is smaller than one-
tenth to one-fouth of the emitter opening diameter

Emitters- applicator used in drip, subsurface, or bubbler irrigation designed to dissipate

pressure and to discharge a small uniform flow or trickle of water at a constant rate that does
not vary significantly because of minor differences in pressure

Advantages

1. Reduced Water Usage – By directly targeting the root zone, water isn’t wasted on areas
that won’t benefit the plant.

2. Healthier Foliage – Overhead watering means the leaves of the plant stay wet long after
irrigating. Wet leaves causes discoloring and spotting. With drip irrigation, the plants leaves
remain dry.

3. Prevents Fungus – Wet leaves can cause fungus such as powdery mildew to spread.
Drip irrigation keeps foliage dry and prevents fungus.

4. Prevents Soil Erosion – Drip irrigation is a gentle, steady drip and reduces the amount
of runoff, therefor reducing soil erosion.

5. Reduces Weeds – Since areas in between the plants won’t be receiving water, weeds
are less likely to grow.

6. Nutrient Runoff Minimized – When there’s a large volume of water running off the soils
surface it depletes nutrients in that soil. Since drip irrigation reduces runoff it reduces the
loss of nutrients.

7. Doesn’t Require Lot Leveling and Drainage – Typical irrigation setups leave a lot of
water on the soils surface. This means drainage and proper site leveling is required to
prevent standing water. With drip irrigation this isn’t as necessary since less water is being
used and the water is being directed directly to the root system.
8. Works With Low Pressure – Low pressure is actually good for drip irrigation. Most
overhead irrigation systems require pressure tanks if there are a lot of sprinkler heads.

Disadvantages

1. Clogging – Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of drip irrigation is that the small holes
along the drip lines can get clogged. Clogging is extra likely if your water contains iron. If
not properly maintained, your drip line holes can clog and prevent the flow of water.

2. Requires Installation – A drip irrigation system requires some planning, purchasing of
materials, and installation.

3. Requires Maintenance and Oversight – You have to routinely check your drip lines to
make sure they are functioning properly. Since a lot of the action is being done at the
surface of the soil, it can be difficult to see problems at first glance. Drip irrigation also
requires seasonal blowouts and winterizing.

B. Sub-Surface Method of Irrigation

In this method of irrigation, the water is applied to the root zone of the crops by underground
network of pipes .The network consists of main pipe, sub main pipes and lateral perforated
pipes. The perforated pipe allows the water to drip out slowly and thus the soil below the root
zone of the crops absorbs water continuously.