There are several methods of irrigation. They vary in how the water is supplied to the plants. The goal is to apply the water to the plants as uniformly as possible, so that each plant has the amount of water it needs, neither too much nor too little.
Irrigation can also be understood whether it is supplementary to rainfall as happens in many parts of the world, or whether it is ‘full irrigation’ whereby crops rarely depend on any contribution from rainfall.
Full irrigation is less common and only happens in arid landscapes experiencing very low rainfall or when crops are grown in semi-arid areas outside of any rainy seasons.
Surface irrigation,
Surface irrigation, also known as gravity irrigation, is the oldest form of irrigation and has been in use for thousands of years. In surface (furrow, flood, or level basin) irrigation systems, water moves across the surface of agricultural lands, in order to wet it and infiltrate into the soil.
Water moves by following gravity or the slope of the land. Surface irrigation can be subdivided into furrow, border strip or basin irrigation. It is often called flood irrigation when the irrigation results in flooding or near flooding of the cultivated land.
Historically, surface irrigation has been the most common method of irrigating agricultural land and is still used in most parts of the world. Where water levels from the irrigation source permit, the levels are controlled by dikes, usually plugged by soil. This is often seen in terraced rice fields (rice paddies), where the method is used to flood or control the level of water in each distinct field. The water application efficiency of surface irrigation is typically lower than other forms of irrigation.
Micro-irrigation
Micro-irrigation, sometimes called localized irrigation, low volume irrigation, or trickle irrigation is a system where water is distributed under low pressure through a piped network, in a predetermined pattern, and applied as a small discharge to each plant or adjacent to it. Traditional drip irrigation uses individual emitters, subsurface drip irrigation (SDI), micro-spray or micro-sprinklers, and mini-bubbler irrigation all belong to this category of irrigation methods.
Drip irrigation
Drip (or micro) irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, functions as its name suggests. In this system water falls drop by drop just at the position of roots. Water is delivered at or near the root zone of plants, drop by drop. This method can be the most water-efficient method of irrigation, if managed properly, evaporation and runoff are minimized.
The field water efficiency of drip irrigation is typically in the range of 80 to 90 percent when managed correctly. PER DROP MORE CROP(Improving water use efficiency) – Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). Micro Irrigation scheme sponsored by Government of India to promote drip and sprinkler irrigation to save water.
Benefits of drip Irrigation
- Increase in yield up to 230 %.
- Saves water up to 70% compare to flood irrigation. More land can be irrigated with the water thus saved.
- Crop grows consistently, healthier and matures fast.
- Early maturity results in higher and faster returns on investment.
- Fertilizer use efficiency increases by 30%.
- Cost of fertilizers, inter-culturing and labour use gets reduced.
- Fertilizer and Chemical Treatment can be given through Micro Irrigation System itself.
- Undulating terrains, Saline, Water logged, Sandy & Hilly lands can also be brought under productive cultivation.
Sprinkler irrigation
In sprinkler or overhead irrigation, water is piped to one or more central locations within the field and distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or guns.
A system using sprinklers, sprays, or guns mounted overhead on permanently installed risers is often referred to as a solid-set irrigation system.
Higher pressure sprinklers that rotate are called rotors and are driven by a ball drive, gear drive, or impact mechanism.
Rotors can be designed to rotate in a full or partial circle.
Advantages
- Eliminates water conveyance channels, thereby reducing conveyance loss.
- Suitable in all types of soil except heavy clay.
- Water saving up to 30% – 50 %.
- Suitable for irrigation where the plant population per unit area is very high.
- Helps to increase yield.
- Reduces soil compaction.
- Mobility of system helps system operation easy.
- Suitable for undulating land.
- Saves land as no bunds required.
- Soluble fertilizers and chemicals use are possible.
- Provides frost protection & helps in alteration of micro climate.
- Reduces labour cost.
