IRRIGATION METHODS AND ITS USES IN HORTICULTURE
- 1. DIFFERENT IRRIGATION METHODS – IMPORTANCE AND LIMITATIONS Dr. Vikas Kumar Sharma Assistant Professor - Horticulture K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram (Haryana)
- 2. WHAT IS IRRIGATION? Irrigation is defined as the process of artificially supplying water to soil for raising crops. A crop requires a certain amount of water at some fixed time interval throughout its period of growth. If the water requirement of crop is met by natural rainfall during the growth period, there is no need of irrigation.
- 3. NECESSITY OF IRRIGATION Inadequate rainfall Non-uniform rainfall Growing a number of crops during a year Growing perennial crops Growing superior crops Increasing the yield of crops Insurance against drought
- 5. FACTORS AFFECTING CHOICE OF IRRIGATION METHOD The selection of the irrigation method is based on the following factors: 1. Soil characteristics of the land to be irrigated 2. Topography of the area 3. The available water supply 4. Type of crop and its requirements 5. Size of the stream supplying irrigation water 6. Amount of water required in each irrigation
- 6. SUSTAINABLE USE OF WATER RESOURCES 1. RightAmount 2. Right Way/ Method 3. Right Time
- 7. SURFACE IRRIGATION In surface methods of irrigation, water is applied directly to the soil from a channel located at the upper reach of the field. Following are the general requirements of prime importance to obtain high efficiency in surface methods of irrigation: Properly constructed water distribution systems to provide adequate control of water to the field. Proper land preparation to permit uniform distribution of water to over the field. The land should be levelled well to achieve higher water application efficiency.
- 8. A. FREE FLOOD METHOD This is a common methods of irrigation of wetland rice where water may be applied as a continuous flood, rotational flood or an intermittent flood. Flooding consists of opening a water channel in a plot of field, so that water can flow freely in all directions and cover surface of the land in a continuous sheet. An abundant supply of water Close growing crops Soils that do not erode easily Soils that is permeable Areas where water is cheap
- 9. A. FREE FLOOD METHOD
- 10. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SURFACE IRRIGATION •No other necessary field except layout the become levelling and preparation of impervious boundary bunds •No land area is utilized for water distribution. As a result, wastage of land becomes minimum •Labour requirement is minimum for application of water in the field •Installation and operation costs are low •It is the most inefficient methods of irrigation as only about 20% of water is actually used by plants and the rest is being lost as run off, seepage and land increases cost of evaporation •Levelling of cultivation •Excessive loss of water by run of and deep percolation •Excessive soil erosion on step land •Fertilizer and FYM are eroded from the soil •This method is unsuitable for crops that are sensitive to water logging •Crop growth is not uniform as the water distribution by this method is very uneven
- 11. B. FURROW METHOD This method is suitable for row crops like potato cabbage, cauliflower, brinjal, chilli, sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, tomato etc. water is applied in the furrows which are developed between crop rows in the planting and cultivating processes. Furrows, are laid down along the slope when the slope of the land is about three per cent. The furrows are on graded contour when the slope exceeds three per cent and goes up to 15 per cent. The length of furrow varies with soil type, slope of the land and the quantity of water to l applied and may vary from 10 metres to 100 metres. Medium and fine textured soils. Variable water supply Farms with only small amount of equipment.
- 13. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF FURROW IRRIGATION •This method is suitable for crops which are sensitive to saturated soil condition in the root zone. •Water in the furrows contacts only one fifth to one half of the land surface, thereby reducing puddling, crusting of the soil and evaporation losses. •It is especially suitable to crops like maize that are injured by contact with water as water does not come in contact with the plant stem. •Relatively easy in stall not expensive to maintain •High water efficiency •Cost involved in the of furrow is preparation more. •Uniform distribution of water in all furrows is not possible •Requirement of skilled labour is more •Can’t be use in all crops.
- 14. C. BASIN IRRIGATION The field is divided into smaller unit areas or beds measuring 10 to 100 sq metre or even more. Bunds or ridges are constructed around the areas forming basin within which irrigation water may be controlled. This method is suitable for orchids and other high value crops where the size of the plot to be irrigated is very small. The basin may be square, rectangular or circular shape. Most soil texture High value crops Smooth topography High water value/ha
- 16. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BASIN IRRIGATION •Wastage of water and soil erosion is reduced as there is bund around the basin •Varying supply of water •No loss of fertilizers and organic manures •High water efficiency •If land is not levelled initial cost may be high •Suitable mainly for orchids, rice, jute, etc. Can’t be use in all crops. •There are too many ridges which occupy the larger area of land. It involves the wastage of land.
- 17. D. RING BASIN METHOD Ring basin irrigation is especially suitable for fruit crops. A basin is made around the stump of the plant at a distance of about 30 -60 cm which may be square, rectangular or circular in shape. The individual plant or plant grown in pit is irrigated by this method. The soil around the plant is soaked with irrigation water and not the entire land. Generally ring basin is used for irrigating fruit trees. The basin is connected with irrigation channels for receiving water.
- 19. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RING BASIN IRRIGATION •Wastage of water and soil erosion is reduced as there is bund around the basin •Varying supply of water •No loss of fertilizers and organic manures •High water efficiency •It is a good method for irrigating orchard plants and also for all types of soil •Initial cost for preparing basin is high. •This method is not suitable for irrigating orchard field crops and some plants such as banana, papaya, pineapple etc. •There are too many rings/ ridges/ basin which occupy the larger area of land. It involves the wastage of land. •All plants do not get same amount of water
- 20. 2. SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION Subsurface irrigation or sub-irrigation may be natural or artificial. Natural sub surface irrigation is possible where an impervious layer exists below the root zone. Water is allowed in to series of ditches dug up to the impervious layer, which then moves laterally and wets root zone. In artificial sub surface irrigation, perforated or porous pipes are laid out underground below the root zone and water is led into the pipes by suitable means. In either case, the idea is to raise the water by capillary movement. The method involves initial high cost, but maintenance is very cheap. There is a risk of soil getting saline or alkaline and neighbouring land damaged due to heavy seepage.
- 21. 2. SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION It is very efficient in the use of water as evaporation is cut off almost completely. The plant roots do not suffer from logging, there is no loss of agricultural land in laying out irrigation system and implements can be worked out freely. This method is however rarely noticed in our country but followed in other countries like Israel.
- 23. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF RING BASIN IRRIGATION •Consumption of nitrates by the plant material is increased •The systems are durable and have a long life •Disposal of water by means of evapo-transpiration by the plants is maximized •Health risks are minimized •Driving vehicles over a subsurface •The system is easily automated irrigation system will likely damage piping. •Storage facilities for effluent must exist for extended periods of time when the ground for subsurface irrigation systems is wet or frozen. •Wind obstructions may be necessary with a subsurface irrigation system to prevent off-site air transportation of effluent.
- 24. 3. DRIP IRRIGATION Drip irrigation is also known as trickle irrigation or micro irrigation or localized irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either on to the soil surface or directly to the root zone, through an network of valves, pipes tubing and emitters. Irrigation method that applies water to plants at a very low rate of application and without any pressure. The concept of the system is to target the roots of the crop rather than the entire land area the crops cover Water is able to reach the deepest roots of the crop through capillaries and gravity
- 25. DRIP IRRIGATION
- 26. COMPONENTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION Pumping Set Filtration Unit (Screen and Send Filter) Main lines & Sub-main lines Laterals Emitters Automation system
- 27. COMPONENTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION
- 28. COMPONENTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION
- 29. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF DRIP IRRIGATION •Less Irrigation Water Needed •Variation in Application Rates •Avoid Over Irrigation •No Water Logging •High Yields •Weed and Pest Control •Maintain surface temperature •Application of water fertilizers at optimum rate to plant root system •Buying the initial system can be more than other systems •Tubes for drip irrigation can have a short life span requiring replacement pipes •When the water is not properly filtered, the equipment could clog easily •Not beneficial to crops that are closely panted together (eg. wheat) •Needs technical knowledge
- 30. SURFACE IRRIGATION VS DRIP IRRIGATION CONVENTIONAL SURFACE IRRIGATION DRIPIRRIGATION
- 31. FERTIGATION EFFECT ON CROPS
- 32. 4. SPRINKLER IRRIGATION This method consists of application of water to soil in the form of spray, somewhat as rain. It is particularly useful for sandy soils because they absorb water too fast. Soils that are too shallow, too steep or rolling can be irrigated efficiently with sprinklers. This method is suitable for areas having uneven topography and where erosion hazards are great In sprinkler irrigation, water is conveyed under pressure through pipes to the area to be irrigated A dependable supply of water Uneven topography Shallow soils Close growing crops
- 34. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION •It ensures uniform distribution of water •It is adaptable to most kinds of soil •Fertilizers material may be evenly applied through sprinklers •Water losses are reduced to a minimum extent •High Yields •Costly land levelling operations are not necessary •The amount of water can be controlled to meet the needs of young seedling or mature crops •The initial cost is rather very high •Any cost of power to provide pressure must be added to the irrigation charges •Wind interferes with the distribution pattern, reducing spread or increasing application rate near lateral pipe. •There is often trouble from clogged nozzle or the failure of sprinklers to revolve •It is suitable for high value crops •Needs technical knowledge
- 35. SYMBOL O F TRUST 35