Three Common Irrigation System

Three Common Irrigation System used by farmers are:

1)Surface irrigation consists of a broad class of irrigation methods in which water is distributed over the soil surface by gravity flow. The irrigation water is introduced into level or graded furrows or basins, using siphons, gated pipe, or turnout structures, and is allowed to advance across the field. Surface irrigation is best suited to flat land slopes, and medium to fine textured soil types which promote the lateral spread of water down the furrow row or across the basin.

Advantages:

·         Easy construct & operate

·          Person can irrigation more compares to check basin.

·         If properly designed use uniform distribution & high water use efficiency.

·         Large streams can be effectively used.

·          If can provide excellent drainage (surface) if have proper outlet facility at the lower end.

    Disadvantages:

·         Required precise land leveling

·          Required large irrigation streams.

2)Sprinkler irrigation is a method of irrigation in which water is sprayed, or sprinkled through the air in rain like drops. The spray and sprinkling devices can be permanently set in place (solid set), temporarily set and then moved after a given amount of water has been applied (portable set or intermittent mechanical move), or they can be mounted on booms and pipelines that continuously travel across the land surface (wheel roll, linear move, center pivot).

Advantages:

·         It can be used for almost crops expect paddy & jute.

·         System can be adopted under varied topographic condition and especially suitable to steep-slope and irregular topography.

·          Soils-method is particularly suited for sandy soils having high infiltration rate.

·             It can eliminate surface run off  of irrigation water (run off elimination)

·         To protect the crop against frost & high temp.

·         To reduce labour cost for irrigation as compared with surface method.

·          Savings in land construction of channel to the field.

·         It saves fertilizer & water as ferti-irrigation can be carried out.

·          Land leveling is not essential for sprinkle irrigation.

·            Gives higher water use efficiency.

DISADVANTAGES

·         Not suitable for very fine texture soil (<4mm/her)

·          Uneven distribution of water due to distortion by high water.

·           More evaporation losses.

·           Require clean, water free from debris sand slit & clay particles.

·         Saline water can not be used

·         Initial cost is high.

·           High operating power is high (5-10kg/cm)

·         Unsuitable climate condition sprinkling may be encouraging spread of disease.

·          Ripening softy fruits need protection from the spray

3)Drip/trickle irrigation systems are methods of microirrigation wherein water is applied through emitters to the soil surface as drops or small streams. The discharge rate of the emitters is low so this irrigation method can be used on all soil types.

Advantage

·         Water saving is up to 40 to 60%

·            Enhance the plant growth & increases the crop yield

·          Savoring in level & energy most. Suitable for poor soil.

·         Weed infestation is minimum

·          Economy in cultural practices & easy operations.

·           Chance of using saline water.

·          Improve efficiency of fertilizers.

·         Very flexible in operation

·         No soil erosion.

·         Easy installation, no land preparation.

·         Minimizing quantity of produce.

·         Enhances the maturity of the crop.

Disadvantages

·         High maintenance requirement.

·         Salinity hazard

·         Economy limitations (40,000Rs/ha)

·         High technical know-how is required.