Irrigation methods

Irrigation

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops.

Irrigation methods

• Surface irrigation
• Localized irrigation
• Drip irrigation
• Sprinkler
• Center pivot irrigation
• Sub irrigation
• Flood irrigation
• Furrow
• Gravity
• Rotation
• Traveling Gun

Surface irrigation

In surface irrigation systems water moves over and across the land by simple gravity flow in order to wet it and to infiltrate into the soil. Surface irrigation can be subdivided into furrow, borderstrip or basin irrigation. It is often called flood irrigation when the irrigation results in flooding or near flooding of the cultivated land.Where water levels from the irrigation source permit, the levels are controlled by dikes, usually plugged by soil.

Localized irrigation

Localized irrigation is a system where water is distributed under low pressure through a piped network, in a pre-determined pattern, and applied as a small discharge to each plant or adjacent to it. Drip irrigation, spray or micro-sprinkler irrigation and bubbler irrigation belong to this category of irrigation methods.

DRIP IRRIGATION

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, since evaporation and runoff are minimized. In modern agriculture, drip irrigation is often combined with plastic mulch, further reducing evaporation, and is also the means of delivery of fertilizer. The process is known as fertigation.
A planned irrigation system in which water is applied directly to the Root Zone of plants by means of applicators (orifices, emitters, porous tubing, perforated pipe, etc.) operated under low pressure with the applicators being placed either on or below the surface of the ground.

SPRINKLER

In sprinkler or overhead irrigation, A planned irrigation system in which water is applied by means of perforated pipes or nozzles operated under pressure so as to form a spray pattern. water is piped to one or more central locations within the field and distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or guns.

Center pivot irrigation

Center pivot irrigation is a form of sprinkler irrigation consisting of several segments of pipe (usually galvanized steel or aluminum) joined together and supported by trusses, mounted on wheeled towers with sprinklers positioned along its length. The system moves in a circular pattern and is fed with water from the pivot point at the center of the arc.

SUB IRRIGATION

Sub irrigation also sometimes called seepage irrigation.Applying irrigation water below the ground surface either by raising the water table within or near the root zone or by using a buried perforated or porous pipe system that discharges directly into the root zone.Sub-irrigation is also used in commercial greenhouse production, usually for potted plants. Water is delivered from below, absorbed upwards, and the excess collected for recycling.

FLOOD IRRIGATION

The application of irrigation water where the entire surface of the soil is covered by ponded water.

Furrow

A partial surface flooding method of irrigation normally used with clean-tilled crops where water is applied in furrows or rows of sufficient capacity to contain the designed irrigation system.

Gravity

Irrigation in which the water is not pumped but flows and is distributed by gravity.

Rotation

A system by which irrigators receive an allotted quantity of water, not a continuous rate, but at stated intervals.

Traveling Gun

Sprinkler irrigation system consisting of a single large nozzle that rotates and is self-propelled. The name refers to the fact that the base is on wheels and can be moved by the irrigator or affixed to a guide wire.