Types of irrigation

 Surface irrigation

 Sub-surface irrigation

 Sprinkler irrigation

 Drip irrigation /trickle

Surface irrigation

In this system the irrigation water is applied directly into the soil surface located in the
upper end of the soil Water will be then distributed into the soil by check basin, boarder
and channel

Three types of surface irrigation include

 Border irrigation

 Check basin irrigation

 Furrow irrigation

i. Border irrigation method

These has border strips with downward slope.

Land is separated by borders and water is applied at the upper end through division
boxes and spreads laterally and then flows down slopes.

Borders should be level for atleast the first ten metres to ensure proper lateral movement
of water

Water supply is stopped when the initial stream is just about to reach the Lower end

ii. Check basin

Is where the flow of water is controlled towards the gradient.

iii. Furrow irrigation

In these system water is applied to crops by means of small sloping channels which are
usually V shaped

The method is suitable for row crops

Crops will be grown on the raised ridges and plants run on all the sides of ridges

The furrow as longitudinal slope and they discharge at the lower end

Water will be discharged at longitudinal slope while

Sub-surface irrigation

It involve laying perforated pipes underground to allow water to pass out through tiny
holes and wet the soil around the root zone, also channels are dug underground and filled
with coarse material like stones and then covered with top soil.

The stone will allow water to pass through underground and wet the soil

Advantages of sub surface irrigation

i. Reduces theft of the pipes

Disadvantages of sub surface irrigation

i. Pipes can be damaged during land preparation

ii. It is expensive

iii. Holes can be easily blocked

Sprinkler irrigation/overhead irrigation system

These is an overhead irrigation system where water is pumped over head and sprinkle in
 the field by using sprinklers i.e. centre pivot systems and gun sprinkler

Most sprinkler system employ hand move lateral but in place where there is labour
shortage, solid set system and mobiles machine e.g. centre pivot system.

Other arrangements or layout of sprinkler irrigation system are

Portable system

Which is mainly used in areas where irrigation is supplementary

An engine can be used to pump water from a stream or canal then it is raised to fill sub-
main then laterals

Usually gun sprinkler are used

Semi portable system

The sub mains and mains are buried under the ground

The lateral are usually of alluminium type and take off are placed 12-18m interval

Maintenance

 Check for leakages

 Unblock nozzles

 Lubricate the rotating parts

 Prepare broken parts

Advantages of sprinkler

 Can be fully automated

 Less water wastage

 Can be used in slopy land

 System is portable
 Can be used to supply forliar feeds

 Water is evenly distributed

ADDITIONAL ADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. Elimination of the channels for conveyance, therefore no conveyance loss.

2. It is Suitable to all types of soil apart from heavy clay.

3. It is appropriate technique for irrigating crops where the plant population per unit area is
very high. It is most suitable for oil seeds and other cereal and vegetable crops.

4. It saves water.

5. With this technique of irrigation, there is control of water application frequent irrigation
and higher water application efficiency.

6. Sprinkle irrigation increases in yield.

7. There is a mobility of system.

8. It may also be used for undulating area.

9. It saves land as no bunds are required.

10. This technique influences greater conducive micro-climate

11. Areas located at a higher elevation than the source can be irrigated.

12. In this technique there is a possibility of using soluble fertilizers and chemicals.

13. In this method of irrigation there is less problem of clogging of sprinkler nozzles due
water.

14. The overall cost of labour is generally reduced in this method of irrigation.

15. Erosion of soil cover which is common in surface irrigation can be reduced.

Disadvantages of sprinklers
 Require skill in maintenance

 Encourages fungal diseases

 Causes soil erosion if not maintained

 Require establishment of wind break

ADDITIONAL DISADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLER IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. In this technique, initial cost of implementation is high.

2. High and constant energy requirement for operation.

3. Under high wind condition and high temperature distribution and application efficiency
is poor.

4. Highly saline water causes leaf burning when temperature is higher than 95 F.

5. When lands have been already levelled and developed for surface or other irrigation
methods sprinkler irrigation is not so economical.

6. There is loss of water due to evaporation from the area during irrigation

Drip Irrigation

Water is applied by means of mains and sub mains and plastics laterals as in sprinkler
systems but equally spaced in laterals and are called drippers on which water triggers out to
supply plant meals

The system uses emitters which is a point source of water operating at low inlet pressure
heads and smaller discharge.

Advantages of drip irrigation

 No soil erosion

 No water wastage

 Discourages fungal diseases

 Low pressure water can be used

 Does not encourage growth of weeds

ADDITIONAL MERITS

1. Possibility of using soluble fertilizers and chemicals.

2. Fertilizer and nutrient loss is minimized due to localized application and reduced
leaching.

3. Water application efficiency is high.

4. Field levelling is not necessary. Fields with irregular shapes are easily accommodated.

5. Recycled non-potable water can be safely used.

6. Soil type plays less important role in frequency of irrigation.

7. Soil erosion is lessened.

8. Weed growth is lessened.

9. Water distribution is highly uniform, controlled by output of each nozzle.

10. Labour cost is less than other irrigation methods.

11. Variation in supply can be regulated by regulating the valves and drippers.

12. Plants remains dry, reducing the risk of disease.

13. Usually operated at lower pressure than other types of pressurised irrigation, reducing
energy costs

Disadvantages of drip irrigation

• Require security

• Require closer maintenance

• Requires clean water

ADDITIONAL DEMERITS

1. Initial cost can be more in this technique.

2. The sunrays can affect the tubes used for drip irrigation, shortening their usable life.

3. If the water is not properly filtered and the equipment not suitably maintained, it can
result in blockage.

4. For subsurface drip the irrigator cannot see the water that is applied. This may lead to
the farmer either applying too much water (low efficiency) or an insufficient amount
of water, this is particularly common for those with less experience with drip
irrigation.

5. Drip irrigation might be inadequate if herbicides or top dressed fertilizers need

6. Drip tape causes extra clean-up costs after harvest. Users need to plan for drip tape
winding, disposal, recycling or reuse.

7. Waste of water, time and harvest, if not installed properly. These systems require
careful study of all the relevant factors like land topography, soil, water, crop and
agro-climatic conditions, and suitability of drip irrigation system and its components.

8. In lighter soils subsurface, drip may be unable to wet the soil surface for germination.
Requires careful consideration of the installation depth.

Irrigation scheduling

Irrigation Scheduling is the process of determining when to irrigate and how much water
supply per irrigation is to be applied.

Some of the benefits of irrigation scheduling on farming include

Improved crop yield/quality

Low cost of production

Increased crop production using less quantity of water

Efficiency of irrigation systems

Generally efficiency of a system is defined as the ratio of the output to the input, this case the
quantity of water. Different efficiencies associated with irrigation are described as:

Irrigation efficiency

This is defined as the ratio of the water consumed by a crop (output) to the water delivered to
the crop (input).

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