Irrigation

Irrigation is the process of applying controlled amounts of water to land in order to promote plant growth. It is used to assist in the production of crops, maintain landscapes, and revegetate disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.

There are two main types of irrigation systems: surface irrigation and subsurface irrigation. Surface irrigation systems include flood, furrow, sprinkler, and spray. Subsurface irrigation systems include drip and bubbler. Each type of system has its own benefits and drawbacks that must be considered when designing an irrigation system for a particular site.

Surface Irrigation

Surface irrigation is the most common type of irrigation in use today. It can be further divided into four subtypes: flood, furrow, sprinkler, and spray.

Flood Irrigation: Flood irrigation is the simplest type of surface irrigation. Water is applied to the entire field in a uniform manner at a predetermined rate for a specific period of time. The main advantage of flood irrigation is its low cost; however, it has several disadvantages as well. Flooding can lead to soil erosion, leaching of nutrients from the soil, and ponding on the field which can create conditions conducive to disease development. In addition, crop yield may be reduced due to uneven water distribution or excessive water application rates. Finally, flood irrigated fields often have standing water which provides breeding sites for pests such as mosquitoes. As a result, careful management practices must be followed when using this type of system to minimize these negative impacts on crop production and public health.