Irrigation Methods

What factors should be considered when choosing an irrigation method?

Type of soil, topography, crop, and economic considerations.

What is wild flooding in irrigation?

Turning water onto natural slopes without much control or prior preparation, typically used for pastures and inexpensive crops.

How is controlled flooding accomplished?

Using field dikes or by the use of borders, checks, and basins.

What is check flooding and where is it commonly used?

Turning water into relatively level plots surrounded by levees, commonly used for lowland rice production.

What is the main advantage of furrow irrigation over flooding methods?

Reduces evaporation and percolation losses by wetting only 0.2 to 0.5 of surface area during irrigation.

What are some methods for distributing water into furrows?

Siphon tubes, gated pipes, and buried pipelines with risers ending in distribution pots.

What is the main purpose of conducting a furrow stream size test?

To determine the safe size of streams for delivery and to achieve uniform water distribution along the furrow.

When is sprinkler irrigation advised?

For irregular, steeply sloping, or erosible soils, where surface methods are not feasible or too costly for leveling.

What are some advantages of sprinkler irrigation systems?

Minimizes deep percolation, surface runoff, and erosion, suitable for shallow-rooted crops, and can control soil temperature and humidity.

What are some disadvantages of sprinkler irrigation?

High initial and maintenance costs, potential for increased plant diseases, and larger evaporation losses compared to furrow irrigation.