5.5 - Irrigation Methods

What is drip irrigation?

Usage of a system that delivers water directly to the roots of plants through a network of tubing and emitters

How effective is drip irrigation?

It is 95% efficient

Pros and Cons for Drip Irrigation

Pros: Water conservation, reduced weed growth, precise nutrient delivery.

Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, potential clogging of emitters.

What is furrow irrigation?

A method where trenches or furrows are dug between crop rows to allow water to flow and soak into the soil.

How effective is furrow irrigation?

It is somewhat effective, around 67%

Pros and Cons for Furrow Irrigation

Pros: Lower initial costs, easy to implement, minimal maintenance.

Cons: High water usage, potential erosion, uneven water distribution.

What is flood irrigation?

A method where fields are flooded with water to saturate the soil.

How effective is flood irrigation?

It is 66-80% effective, slightly more efficient than furrow irrigation.

Pros and Cons of Flood Irrigation

Pro: Can be effective for large areas, helps prevent soil compaction.

Con: 20% of water is lost, risk of waterlogging, and potential crop damage.

What is spray irrigation?

A form of irrigation where water is pumped into a source that contains a series of spray nozzles

What are the Pros and Cons of spray irrigation?

Pro: Less water lost to evaporation or runoff, water distributes evenly across field

Cons: More expensive than furrow or flood and uses a lot of water

What are aquifers and what do they do?

Underground layers of water-bearing rock that store and transmit groundwater.

They are crucial for supplying and storing water for irrigation and drinking.

What is the difference between unconfined and confined aquifers?

Unconfined aquifers are bodies of rock that open to the surface, allowing water to seep in from above.

Confined aquifers are trapped between impermeable layers of rock, limiting water flow and recharge.

What is groundwater recharge?

The process by which water from precipitation or surface water infiltrates into the ground to replenish aquifers.

What is an artesian well and what does it do?

An artesian well is a type of well that taps into a confined aquifer, allowing water to flow to the surface under natural pressure without the need for pumping.

What is the cone of depression?

The cone of depression is a downward conical-shaped area around a well where the water table has been lowered due to excessive pumping, which causes it to go dry