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Irrigation & Drainage Engineering Guide

This document discusses irrigation and drainage engineering. It provides 4 textbooks as references on the topic. It outlines the internal evaluation structure for a course, including class attendance, assignments, field visits, and a written exam. It then introduces irrigation, discussing its definition, objectives, purposes, necessity, functions, advantages, and status in Nepal. It notes Nepal's historical focus on infrastructure development and more recent emphasis on participatory management. Overall it provides an overview of key concepts in irrigation engineering and the development of irrigation in Nepal.

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Shubhash Pathak
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
86 views33 pages

Irrigation & Drainage Engineering Guide

This document discusses irrigation and drainage engineering. It provides 4 textbooks as references on the topic. It outlines the internal evaluation structure for a course, including class attendance, assignments, field visits, and a written exam. It then introduces irrigation, discussing its definition, objectives, purposes, necessity, functions, advantages, and status in Nepal. It notes Nepal's historical focus on infrastructure development and more recent emphasis on participatory management. Overall it provides an overview of key concepts in irrigation engineering and the development of irrigation in Nepal.

Uploaded by

Shubhash Pathak
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 33

8/20/2020

IRRIGATION
AND
DRAINAGE ENGINEERING

Text Books:
1. Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures. S K Garg
2. Irrigation and Water Power Engineering. B C Punmia, Pande B B Lal,
Ashok Kumar Jain and Arun Kumar Jain
3. Irrigation Engineering. Gurucharan Singh
4. Theory and Design of Irrigation Structures Volume I and II. R S Varshney, S
C Gupta and R L Gupta

Internal Evaluation: 20 Marks

i) Class Attendance – 2 Marks


ii) Assignment/Tutorial - 5 Marks
iii)Field Visit - 3 Marks
a. Attendance – 1 Mark
b. Report Submission – 2 Marks
OR
Viva – 3 Marks
iv) Written Examination – 10 Marks

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INTRODUCTION

Introduction
•Three basic requirements of agricultural production are soil, seed, and
water.
• In addition, fertilizers, insecticides, sunshine, suitable atmospheric
temperature, and human labour are also needed.
•Of all these, water is most important
requirement of agricultural production.
•The moisture available in the root-zone
soil, either from rain or from
underground water
•Deficiency of moisture may be either
for the entire crop season or for only part
of the crop season reduces for optimum
plant growth
• Therefore, it becomes necessary to
make up the deficiency by adding water
to the root-zone soil.

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Irrigation:

Artificial application of water to the soil for raising crops

Science which pertains to the planning, designing,


controlling and maintenance of irrigation works so that
available water resources may be used in the best manner
Irrigation projects are sanctioned on the basis of benefit
cost ratio (BCR); BCR>1.5

Objectives of Irrigation:
To supply water partially or totally for crop need
To cool both the soil and the plant
To leach excess salts
To improve groundwater storage
To facilitate continuous cropping
To enhance fertilizer application

Purposes of Irrigation:
Providing insurance against short duration droughts
Reducing the hazard of frost (increase the temperature of the plant)
Reducing the temperature during hot spells
Washing or diluting salts in the soil softening tillage pans and clods
Promoting the function of some micro organisms

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Necessity of Irrigation:
Insufficient rainfall: when the seasonal rainfall is less than the
minimum requirement for the satisfactory growth of crops, the
irrigation system is essential.
Uneven distribution of rainfall: when the rainfall is not evenly
distributed during the crop period or throughout the cultivable area,
the irrigation is extremely necessary.
Improvement of perennial crops yield: some crops such as sugarcane
etc. require water through out the major parts of the year but the
rainfall fulfills the demand during the rainy season only. Therefore,
for remaining part of the year irrigation is necessary.
Development of agriculture in the desert areas: in the desert, area
where the rainfall is very scanty, irrigation is required for the
development of agriculture.
Insurance of drought: irrigation may not required during the normal
rainfall condition and can be necessary during drought

Function of Irrigation:
Dissolves chemicals, manures and renders them plant growth; thus
water acts as a nutrient carrier.
Supplies moisture to the soil which is essential for the life of bacteria
which are beneficial to plant growth.
Supplies moisture which is essential for the metabolism within the
plant leading to plant growth.
Reduces the concentration of the harmful salts in the soil.
Saves plants from harmful effects of frost during intensive cold.
Lowers the temperature of the soil and atmosphere during summer;
thus creating a healthy environment for plant growth.
Softens the tillage pans.
Helps in bringing up ground water table (GWT).

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Advantages or Benefits:
Increase of food production
Protection against famine
Modify soil or climate environment
Increase income and national cash flow
Increase labor employment
Increase standard of living
Increase value of land
Inland navigation in large canals
Improve communication
Domestic and industrial water supply
Improve ground water storage

Generation of hydro-electric power with multi-purpose project or


from canal fall
Plantation of canal banks
Mixed cropping is eliminated, which is generally not accepted

Disadvantages or Ill-effects:
High initial cost
Water logging and water pollution problem
Damp and cold climate
Salinity and alkalinity of land
Ill aeration of soil
Loss of valuable lands

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Status of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


Before 1922, operated and maintained by farmers called Farmers
Managed Irrigation System (FMIS)

From 1922 to 1957, Government made little effort (Chandra Nahar,


Juddha Nahar, Jagadispur Jalasraya (Banganga), Phewa Bhadh)
Irrigation infrastructure development has got high priority since 1957
The minor irrigation program was introduced in the second three-
year development plan 1962-1965 to provide low-cost-irrigation
facilities
The Third Plan Period (1966-1970) saw the countrywide
implementation of the minor irrigation program
The government investment in irrigation development – especially in
the large-scale irrigation systems in the Terai increased tremendously
from 1970 onwards

Status of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


Until the middle of 1980s, irrigation development by the government
focused largely on the construction of physical infrastructure of
canals and structures rather than effective management of the
completed systems
Improved management of government-operated irrigation systems
from 1985 onwards; implementation of a number of management-
oriented projects in 1985-1989: the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID)-funded Irrigation Management
Project (IMP) in 1985, the Irrigation Line of Credit (ILC) in 1988
financed by the World Bank, the irrigation Sector Project (ISP) in
1988 financed by the ADB, and the Irrigation Sector Support Project
(ISSP) in 1989 under the co-financing of the UNDP, the World Bank
and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Introduction of the Basic Needs Program (BNP) in 1987, the working
Policy on Irrigation Development for the fulfillment of ‘Basic Needs’
was formulated in the early 1989

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Status of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


Promulgation of the Irrigation Regulations (IR) in April 1989:
emphasis on the greater collaboration with water users in all phases
of irrigation projects – planning, construction, operation and
maintenance
Irrigation Regulations gave water users, for the first time, a legal
mandate to form water users’ associations in accordance with the
1976 Association Registration Act
In 1989, the participatory management of large irrigation systems
were formulated
Promulgation of Water Resources Act and Irrigation Policy in 1992
with the clear vision of irrigation development; this policy was
amended in 1997 and now Irrigation Policy 2004 is in practice
Irrigation Master Plan 1990, Agriculture Perspective Plan 1995,
Water Resources Strategy 2002 and National Water Plan 2005 are
other few documents which guide irrigation development in Nepal

Status of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


At present, DoI is involved in the development of many irrigation
projects (Sikta, Ranijamara Kulariya, Mahakali III, Babai, IWRMP,
CMIASP (Community-Managed Irrigated Agriculture Sector Project)
and MIP are few examples of major activities in the implementation)
DoI is equally responsible for development of new irrigation projects
and O&M of developed schemes
For the last couple of years, DoI has been working with marginalized
farmers in remote areas under the program of Non-conventional
Irrigation Technology Project (NITP)
DoI has given high priority to IWRM principles while planning and
developing new projects
DoI has realized the importance of year round irrigation, and
underway to start multipurpose inter basin water transfer project
(Bheri Babai diverion project is the first one to be implemented)

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Need of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


Agriculture is Nepal’s primary economic sector, with about 80% of
the population dependent upon it

Agricultural growth is essential for attaining broad-based growth and


improving the livelihoods of most Nepalese

Agriculture in Nepal depends largely on monsoon rains from June to


September (75% of annual rainfall occurs), and regulated and
controlled irrigation is therefore critical to improving agricultural
productivity
Total area of Nepal = 14.7 million hectare; 2.6 million hectare area is
arable and 1.8 million hectare land is irrigable; 76% of potential
irrigable area lies in the Terai Region; the remaining 0.40 million
hectare is in river valleys, upland valleys, and terraces on hills and
mountains

Need of Irrigation Development in Nepal:


70% of the command areas of surface water irrigation infrastructure
is actually irrigated, with only 38% of irrigated land irrigated year
round
The incidence of poverty in irrigated areas is half that in rain-fed
areas and that access to irrigation water mitigates poverty
Once irrigation is available, for low-income households, higher
production will increase household food security and cash incomes
through the sale of small quantities of cash crops

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Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Principal crop seasons:
1. Kharif (Mansoon/Summer) and 2. Rabi (Winter)
1. Kharif
Starts on 1st April and ends on 30th September
The principal crops of these seasons are paddy, millet, cotton,
groundnut, etc.
2. Rabi
Starts on 1st October and ends on 31st March
The principal crops of these seasons are barley, wheat, peas, gram,
oilseeds, etc.
Note:
Sugarcane covers both seasons
Cotton eight months crop
Kharif and Rabi seasons dates are not rigid; may vary up to 1-3
months on either sides

Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Crop classifications:
1. Agricultural classification:
i) Field crops – wheat, rice, maize, barley, gram, pulses, potato, etc.
ii) Plantation crops – tea, coffee, rubber, coconut, etc.
iii) Commercial crops – oilseed, mustard, groundnut, sugarcane,
sesame, cotton, tobacco, hemp, etc.
iv) Horticulture crops – fruit crops, vegetables
v) Forage crops and Grass fodder
vi) Miscellaneous crops – silk, medicinal crops, etc.

2. Classification based on irrigation requirement:


i) Wet crops – irrigation water requires
ii) Dry crops – irrigation water does not require

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Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Crop classifications:
3. Classification based on crop seasons:
i) Kharif crops – rice, maize, cotton, millet, etc.
ii) Rabi crops – wheat, barley, gram, peas, potato, tobacco, mustard, etc.
iii) Perennial crops – sugarcane, fruits, some vegetables, etc.
4. Classification based on consumption of foods:
i) Food crops – rice, maize, wheat, barley, etc.
ii) Cash crops – sugarcane, tobacco, hemp, tea, cotton, etc.
Cropping pattern:
The crop planting sequences practiced in an area is termed as cropping
pattern. It changes over space and time.
The cropping pattern depends mainly following factors: i) availability of
water, ii) type of soil, iii) climatic condition, iv) value of crops, and v)
socio – economic condition.

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Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Cropping intensity:
Cropping intensity is the ratio between total cultivation areas to the total
command area within a year.
It is the ratio of net area sown to the total cropped area.
Crop Rotation:
Crop rotation is the systematic planting of different crops in a particular
order over several years in the same growing space.
Necessity:
To obtain the effect of fallow land
To help to battle against the forces of erosion
To check the crop diseases and insect pests
To increase nitrogen content (if leguminous crop introduced)
To get better utilization of soil

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Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Crop Development Stages:
The total growing period is divided into four growth stages.
1. Initial stage: This is the period from sowing or transplanting until the
crop covers about 10% of the ground.
2. Crop development stage: This period starts at the end of the initial
stage and lasts until the full ground cover has been reached (ground
cover 70-80%); it does not necessarily mean that the crop is at its
maximum height.
3. Mid-season stage: This period starts at the end of the crop
development stage and lasts until maturity; it includes flowering and
grain-setting.
4. Late season stage: This period starts at the end of the mid season
stage and lasts until the last day of the harvest; it includes ripening.

Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)

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Crops, their seasons and periods (Cropping


pattern & intensity)
Command Areas and Irrigation Intensity
Command area (CA):
The total area which can be irrigated by a canal system.
Gross command area (GCA):
The total area lying between drainage boundaries which can be
commanded or irrigated by a canal system. The boundary is usually
defined by the drainage on either side across which irrigation cannot be
extended economically.
Culturable command area (CCA):
The GCA less the area of unculturable land laying within the gross area.
The residential area, ponds, reserve forests, etc. are excluded but pasture
and undeveloped fellow lands are included.
In the formulation of projects and schemes CCA is roughly taken as 80-
90% of GCA.

Command Areas and Irrigation Intensity


CCA can be classified as
i) Culturable cultivated area
Crop is grown at a particular time or crop season.
ii) Culturable uncultivated area
Crop is not grown at a particular time or crop season.

The crop is kept without cultivation due to following reasons:


To increase the fertility of the soil which has been reduced due to
intense cultivation
To provide pasture land for animals
The crop to be sown has a different crop season
To protect the land from possible danger of water logging

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Command Areas and Irrigation Intensity


Net command area (NCA):
The CCA excluding also pasture and undeveloped fellow lands.
Irrigation Intensity (II):
The ratio of irrigated area during a crop season to CCA (percentage of
CCA proposed to be irrigated seasonally).
Area to be irrigated = CCA ×II
Annual Irrigation Intensity:
The ratio of actually irrigated area during the entire year to CCA.

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Depending upon availability of water, cultural practices within the
community and ability of farmers to afford to the installations, there are
many irrigation methods in practices.
Methods of Irrigation

Surface Sub-surface Irrigation Sprinkler Irrigation Drip Irrigation


Irrigation (or Sub Irrigation) (or Overhead Irrigation) (or Trickle Irrigation)

Shallow Furrow
Flooding Method Contour Farming Furrow Irrigation Medium-depth
Furrow
Wild Flooding Controlled Flooding Deep Furrow
(or Uncontrolled Flooding)

Free Flooding Contour Border Strip Check Basin Zig-zag


(or Ordinary Flooding) Laterals Method Flooding Flooding Method

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


1. Surface Irrigation:
It is most common type of irrigation. Water is applied in the field in the
varied quantities and different times with the flow over the land surfaces.
Generally one-half of the water released reaches plants.
It may be classified as follows:
I) Flooding Method
II) Contour Farming
III) Furrow Irrigation
I) Flooding Method:
In flooding irrigation, water is allowed to cover the surface of land in a
continuous sheet. The water standing just long enough in the field for the
soil to absorb the water applied to refill the root zone.
It may be classified into
i) Wild Flooding (or Uncontrolled Flooding), and
ii) Controlled Flooding

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


i) Wild Flooding (or Uncontrolled Flooding):
This is earliest and the primitive method of application of water to the
land, and the most inefficient of irrigation methods. In this method the
water is applied by spreading it over the land prior to the application of
water, and no land preparations is done in the form of border or field
ditches. The water is allowed to flow the natural slope of the land.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


i) Wild Flooding (or Uncontrolled Flooding):
Suitability
Suitable for inundation irrigation system or pastures or forage crops
where water is available in abundance at the highest elevation and is
inexpensive.
Advantages
Very low level of expertise is sufficient
Low cost
Does not interfere with tillage
Disadvantages
Inefficient use of water
Non-uniform distribution of water
Excessive soil erosion on steeper slopes
Require drainage arrangement to reduce ponding
Irregular crop responses
Over irrigation and large percolation losses

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


ii) Controlled Flooding:
In controlled flooding methods irrigation water is applied by spreading it
over the land to be irrigated with proper control on the flow of water as
well as the quantity of water applied. All the methods of control flooding
require prior preparation of the land. The land is properly graded &
agricultural fields are divided into small units by levees.
The various methods of controlled flooding are:
a) Free Flooding
b) Contour Laterals
c) Border Strip Method
d) Check Flooding
e) Basin Flooding
f) Zig-zag Method

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


a) Free Flooding
It is the commonly adopted method where irrigation water is in
abundance and cheap. The land is divided into plots of suitable size
depending on porosity of soil. Water is supplied to these plots at the
higher end and the supply is cut off as soon as this water reaches the
lower part of the plot with sufficient depth of water.

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
Most suitable for soils of medium texture and with moderate slopes.
b) Contour Laterals
This is a special case of free flooding in which the field channels or
laterals are aligned approximately along the contour lines. In this
method, irrigation is possible only on side of the laterals. The spacing of
laterals may vary from 15 to 50 m.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
Suitable on close growing crops on sloping or rolling lands not subjected
to any degree of levelling necessary for other methods of irrigation.

Advantages
Low cost
Can be used in all types of soil

Disadvantages
Inefficient use of water
Very uneven distribution of water
Excessive soil erosion on steeper slopes
Irregular crop responses can be seen
Over irrigation and large percolation losses

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


c) Border Strip Method
In this method a field is divided into number of strips. The width of strip
varies from 10 to 20 m and length varies from 100 to 400 m. The water is
diverted from the field channel into the strips. The water flows slowly
towards lower end, wetting the soil as it advances. The surface between
two embankments should essentially be level. It helps in covering the
entire width of the strip. There is a general surface slope from opening to
the lower end. The surface slope from 2 to 4 m/1000 m is best suited.
When the slope is steeper, special arrangement is made to prevent
erosion of soil.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
This method is suitable for all close growing crops, some row crops and
orchard where topography and soil are suitable.
Advantages
Utilizes large water streams safely
Requires less labor
Provides uniform wetting and efficient use of water
Disadvantages
Requires proper levelling
High initial cost
A large supply of water is needed

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


d) Check Flooding
In this method, the farm is divided into small check areas. These are
surrounded on all sides by low, flat levees. The checks are square,
rectangular or irregular plots. If the ground has initial slope, levees may
follow the contours.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
This method is suitable to irrigate grain and fodder crops in heavy soils
where water is absorbed very slowly.
Advantages
High irrigation efficiency can be achieved
Unskilled labor can be employed as there is no danger of erosion
Disadvantages
High labor required
Levees impose restrictions in the use of modern farm machinery
Use is generally restricted to relatively smooth lands because of the
expenditure involved in levelling the plots

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


e) Basin Flooding
This method is special form of check flooding and is adopted specially
for orchard trees. One or more trees are generally placed in the basin and
the surface is flooded as in the check method. This method is also used
extensively to irrigate rice.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
This method is suitable for close growing crops and orchards on medium
to coarse textured soils.

Advantages
Provides efficient use of water
Involves less labor and low maintenance cost
Disadvantages
Requires expert levelling and layout
High initial cost
Large quantity of water is needed

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


f) Zig-zag Method
In this method, the agricultural area is sub-divided into small plots by
low bunds in a zig-zag manner. The water is supplied to the plots from
the field channel through the openings. The water flows in a zig-zag way
to cover the entire area. When the desired depth is attained, the openings
are closed.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


II) Contour Farming
Contour farming is the practice of tillage, planting, and other farming
operations performed on or near the contour of the field slope. This
method is most effective on slopes between 2 and 10%. Tillage and
planting operations follow the contour line to promote positive row
drainage and reduce ponding.
Farming on the contour reduces sheet and
rill erosion and the resulting sediment
deposition at the foot of the slope or off-
site. It can increase water infiltration,
thereby reducing the transport of nutrients
and organics to surface water and
increasing water storage in the soil profile.

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


III) Furrow Irrigation
Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation in which trenches or
“furrows” are dug between crop rows in a field. The dimension of
furrows depend on the crop grown, equipment used and soil type. Water
in furrows contacts only one half to one fifth of the land surface. Farmers
flow water down the furrows (often using only gravity) and it seeps
vertically and horizontally to refill the soil reservoir. In heavy soils
furrows can be used to dispose the excess water.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
Suitable for wide spaced row crops including vegetables that would be
damaged by direct inundation by water (maize, sugarcane, cotton,
tobacco, groundnut, potatoes, beans, etc.)
Suitable to most soils except sand
Advantages
Relatively high water efficiency reducing evaporation losses and
pudding requirement
Labour requirement for land preparation and irrigation is reduced
No wastage of lands in field ditches
Furrows serve as drainage ways for surface runoff in areas of heavy
rainfall
Disadvantages
Requires skill in developing furrow
Silts from the furrows should be regularly removed
Adequate drainage provision should be made at the end of each row

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


The furrow irrigation can be further subdivided into
1. Shallow furrow
2. Medium-depth furrow, and
3. Deep furrow
1. Shallow furrow
Shallow furrows are 10 to15 cm deep and 30 to 35 cm wide on the top.
These furrows are used for crops with narrow row-spacing and for band
sowing.
2. Medium-depth furrow
Medium-depth furrows are 15 to 20 cm deep and 40 to 45 cm wide on
the top. These furrows, which are trenched with a row-spacing of 60-70
cm.
3. Deep furrow
Deep furrows are made with a wide row-spacing (80 to 90 cm). Their
depth is 20 to 25 cm and at off-season irrigation come up to 30 cm. Such
furrows have a large volume of filling, but poor water yield.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


2. Subsurface Irrigation:
In subsurface irrigation, water is applied beneath the ground by creating
and maintaining an artificial water table at some depth, usually 30-75 cm
below the ground surface. The idea is to raise the water by capillary
movement.
It may be classified into
i) Natural subsurface irrigation, and
ii) Artificial subsurface irrigation
i) Natural subsurface irrigation
Natural subsurface irrigation is applicable to low laying lands 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.
Advantage
Offers most economical means of raising crops
Disadvantage
May develop water logging conditions

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


ii) Artificial subsurface irrigation
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.
Advantages
Minimum water requirement for raising crops
Minimum evaporation and deep percolation losses
No wastage of land
No interference to movement of farm machinery
High crop yield
Disadvantages
Requires a special combination of natural conditions.
Danger of water logging
Possibility of choking of the pipes lay underground.
High cost

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


3. Sprinkler Irrigation:
In sprinkler irrigation, water is sprinkled into the air and allowed to fall
on the ground surface just like rainfall. The spray is done by the flow of
water under pressure through small orifices or nozzles. The pressure is
generally obtained by pumping. Through proper selection of nozzle
sizes, operating pressure and sprinkler spacing the amount of irrigation
water required to refill the crop root zone can be applied almost uniform
at the rate to suit the infiltration rate of soil.

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Suitability
Suitable for areas having uneven topography and where erosion
hazards are great
Suitable for almost all crops except crops such as paddy and jute
The dry crops, vegetables, flowering crops, orchards, plantation crops
like tea, coffee are all suitable

The system comprises four main parts


i. Power generator
ii. Pump
iii. Pipeline and
iv. Sprinkler

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Advantages
No conveyance loss.
Suitable to all types of soil apart from heavy clay.
Saves water
Higher water application efficiency (about 80%)
Increases in crop yield.
Mobility of system
May also be used for undulating area
Saves land as no bunds and canal systems are required
Areas located at a higher elevation than the source can be irrigated
Possibility of using soluble fertilizers and chemicals.
Less problem of clogging of sprinkler nozzles due to sediment laden
water
The overall cost of labour is generally reduced
Erosion of soil cover can be reduced

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Disadvantages
Initial cost of implementation is high
High and constant energy requirement for operation
Under high wind condition and high temperature distribution and
application efficiency is poor
Highly saline water causes leaf burning when temperature is higher
than 35ºC
When lands have been already levelled and developed for surface or
other irrigation methods sprinkler irrigation is not so economical.
There is loss of water due to evaporation from the area during
irrigation
Not suitable for crops requiring frequent and larger depth of irrigation,
and plantation crops as well
Can not be used on fine textured and heavy clay soils
Use of marginal (recycled sewage) water is restricted
Nozzles need screened water supply, otherwise likely to be plugged

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Disadvantages
Physical damage to crops by application of high intensity spray
Pipe system has to be assembled and dissembled frequently
Problems of Sprinklers
Silt and debris in the source of water
Problems in the operation of the pump
Problems in the leakage in the pipe lines
Sprinkling problem due to strong wind
Pipe network assembling and dissembling

Classification of Sprinkler Systems


a) Permanent system
b) Semi-permanent system
c) Portable system

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Classification of Sprinkler Systems
a) Permanent system
In this system, pipes are permanently buried in such a way that they do
not interfere with the farming operations.
b) Semi-permanent system
In this system, the main and sub-main lines are buried while the laterals
are portable so as to move from farm to farm.
c) Portable system
In this system, the main, sub-mains and laterals are portable so as to
move from farm to farm.

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


4. Drip Irrigation:
It involves slow application of water to the root zone. The drip irrigation
system consist of
i) Head,
ii) Main line and sub line,
iii) Lateral lines, and
iv) Drip nozzles

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


The head consists of a pump to lift water and produce the desired
pressure (about 2.5 atmosphere) and to distribute water through nozzles.
A fertilizer tank for applying fertilizer solution directly to the field along
with the irrigation water and filter which cleans the suspended impurities
in irrigation water to prevent the blockage of holes and passage of drip
and nozzles.
Mains and sub mains are normally of flexible material such as black
PVC pipes. Laterals or drip lines are small diameter flexible lines
(usually 1 to 1.25 cm diameter black PVC tubes) taking off from the
mains or sub mains. Laterals are normally laid parallel to each other.
Lateral lines can be up to about 50 meters long and are usually 1.2 cm
diameter black plastic tubing. There is usually one lateral line for each
crop row. By laying the main line along the center line of the field, it is
possible to irrigate either side of the field alternately by shifting the
laterals. A pressure drop of 10 percent is permitted between the ends of
lateral.

Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Drip nozzles are also known as emitters or valves and are fixed at regular
intervals in the laterals. These PVC valves allow water to flow at the
extremely slow rates, ranging from 2 to 11 liters per hour. The spacing
between laterals is controlled by the row-to-row spacing of the crop to be
irrigated. Drip laterals laid on soil surface or buried underground at the
depth of 5 to 10 cm.
Suitability
Suitable for any topography
Suitable for the soil with different texture
Advantages
Less requirement of irrigation water
Water supply at optimum level
Water logging avoided
High yield
Cultivation of cash crops
No over irrigation

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Methods of Field Irrigation and Their Suitability


Variation in application rate
Weed control
Increase in net irrigable area
Nutrients preservation
Reduced labour cost
No soil erosion
Suitable for saline soils
Maintenance of high soil temperature

Disadvantages
High initial cost
Not suitable for close growing crops
Danger of blockage of emitters
Pipe laid beneath may interfere with the cultivation
Can not adopt by ordinary farmers

Selection of Field Irrigation Method


Each of the irrigation methods has some advantages and disadvantages,
and the selection of the method depends on the following factors:

(i) Size, shape, and slope of the field,

(ii) Soil characteristics,

(iii) Nature and availability of the water supply subsystem,

(iv) Types of crops being grown,

(v) Initial development costs and availability of funds, and

(vi) Preferences and past experience of the farmer.

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Principal Criteria for the Design of a Suitable Irrigation Method


(i)Store the required water in the root-zone of the soil,

(ii) Obtain reasonably uniform application of water,

(iii) Minimise soil erosion,

(iv) Minimise runoff of irrigation water from the field,

(v) Provide for beneficial use of the runoff water,

(vi) Minimise labour requirement for irrigation,

(vii) Minimise land use for ditches and other controls to distribute water,

(viii) Fit irrigation system to field boundaries,

(ix) Adopt the system to soil and topographic changes, and

(x) Facilitate use of machinery for land preparation, cultivating,


furrowing, harvesting, and so on.

Planning of Irrigation Projects


The preparation of plans of an irrigation project is a complicated task and
needs the expertise of specialists.

The process of planning of an irrigation project can be divided into the


following two stages:
1. Preliminary planning, and
2. Detailed planning
1. Preliminary planning
Collecting and analyzing all available data for the current study
Securing additional data needed for preparing preliminary plans
Determining the feasibility of the proposed development by making
the preliminary study of major features in sufficient detail

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Planning of Irrigation Projects


2. Detailed planning
Accurate data on all aspects of the proposed irrigation project are
required to work out the detailed plans and designs of various
engineering works and to determine their economic site locations
Physical data needed for detailed planning are collected by
topographic and location surveys, land and soil investigations and
geological explorations (surfaces as well as subsurface) at the sites of
major engineering works
Hydrological data are usually determined by extensive studies of all
available records and collecting additional data, if possible
Photographic records of pre-construction (and also during
construction) condition at locations of all engineering works and aerial
surveys for dams and reservoir sites must be supplemented by
accurate ground surveys

Factors to be considered while planning:


Type of project and general plan of irrigation works,
Location, extent and type of irrigable lands,
Irrigation requirements for profitable crop production,
Available water supplies for the project,
Irrigable (culturable) areas which can be economically supplied with
water,
Types and locations of necessary engineering works,
Needs for immediate and future drainage,
Feasibility of hydroelectric power development,
Cost of storage, irrigation, power and drainage features,
Evaluation of probable power, income and indirect benefits,
Method of financing the project construction,
Desirable type of construction and development,
Probable annual cost of water to the farmers,
Cost of land preparations and farm distribution systems, and
Feasible crops, costs of crop production, and probable crop returns

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Basic information for planning and design


To adequately plan and design an irrigation system, certain basic
information is needed. This data includes:
1. Field Information
2. Soil and Water Data
Soil profile and texture classification,
Soil depth,
Water intake rate, and
Soil water holding capacity or available soil moisture
3. Plant Data
The type of cropping system,
Crop rotation plans, and
Peak rate of water use by crops
4. Water Availability
5. System Design

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