Chapter-5

Irrigation Method
 Irrigation Methods
 Irrigation water application methods can be classified based
on different themes:
1. Based on energy/pressure required
 Surface/Gravity and pressurized irrigation methods

2. Based on placement of irrigation water

 Surface, sub-surface and overhead irrigation

3. Based on wetted area by irrigation

 Flood, drip, sprinkler irrigation
 Based on energy/pressure requirement, irrigation
methods can be grouped as Surface/gravity irrigation and
pressurized irrigation.

A. Surface/Gravity irrigation: Irrigation in which the water is

not pumped but flows and is distributed to the crop field by
gravity and surface conduit.

 Surface irrigation may be subdivided based on mode of

application as
 Border irrigation,
 Basin irrigation and
 Furrow irrigation.
B. Pressurized irrigation: Irrigation system in which water is
pumped and flows to the crop field by pressure.
 Pressure irrigation system may be subdivided based on mode
of application as
 Drip irrigation and
 Sprinkler irrigation.

C. Subsurface irrigation or sub-irrigation: Applying irrigation

water below the ground surface either by

 raising the water table within or near the root zone or

 by using a buried perforated or porous pipe system that discharges

directly into the root zone is termed subsurface irrigation
 A. Surface Irrigation
 refers to systems that deliver water to crops using a
gravity-fed, overland flow of water. Types of surface
irrigation
 Most common method(water is distributed by gravity over the
surface of the field)
 90% of worlds total irrigated area is under this method.
 This method is most suitable for low to moderate infiltration
rates and leveled lands.
 It is labour intensive.
1. Border irrigation: Border irrigation is defined as the
application of water to an area typically down slope and
surrounded by two border ridges or dikes to the ends of the
strip.

 The land is divided into number of long parallel stripes called

borders.

 These borders are separated by low ridges.

 The border strip has a uniform gentle slope in the direction of

irrigation.
 Each strip is irrigated independently by turning the water in
the upper end.

 Suitable to soils having moderately low to moderately high

infiltration rates.

 Suitable to irrigate all close growing crops like wheat, barley,

fodder crops and legumes and not suitable for rice.
Border irrigation layout
2. Basin irrigation: is defined as the application of water to an
area typically leveled to zero slope and surrounded by dikes or
check banks to prevent runoff.
 It is the most common surface irrigation method

 The field is divided into smaller unit areas so that each has a
nearly level surface.

 Bunds or ridges are constructed around the area forming

basins within which the irrigation water can be controlled.

 The size of the basin varies from 10m2 to25m2 depending upon
soil type, topography, stream size and crop.
3. Furrow irrigation: A partial surface flooding method of
irrigation in which water is applied in furrows (narrow
channels dug between the rows of crops)

 The dimension of furrows depend on the crop grown,

equipment used and soil type.

 Water is applied by small running streams in furrows

between the crop rows.

 Water infiltrates into soil and spreads laterally to wet the

area between the furrows.
 B. Pressure Irrigation
 Irrigation is through pressure pipes and precisely applied to
the plants
 It is the most effective of all methods but it is crop specific
 It is of 2 types:
1. Sprinkler Irrigation
2. Drip Irrigation
1.Sprinkler irrigation: A system in which water is applied by
means of nozzle or perforated pipe that operates under
pressure in the form of a spray pattern.
 Sprinkler irrigation is application simulating rainfall
overhead so overhead sprinklers.

 It conveys water to the field through pipes under pressure

with a system of nozzles.

 This system is designed to distribute the required depth of

water uniformly, which is not possible in surface irrigation.
 Water is applied at a rate less than the infiltration rate of the
soil hence the runoff from irrigation is avoided.

 On the basis of arrangement for spraying irrigation water,

they are classified as, rotating head and perforated pipe
system.

 Based on the portability, sprinkler systems are classified as,

portable system, semi permanent system , solid set system
and permanent system.
2. Drip/trickle irrigation: An irrigation system in which water
is applied directly to the root zone of plants.
 It is suitable for water scarcity and salt affected soils and water
is applied in the root zone of the crop.

 Standard water quality test needed for design and operation of

drip irrigation system.

 A drip irrigation system consists of a pump or overhead tank,

main line, sub-mains laterals and emitters
 The emitters which are attached to the laterals distribute water
for irrigation.

 The emitters are also made of PVC material.

low cost drip irrigation system
C. Sub-surface 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.
 Moisture moves upwards towards the land surface through
capillary action
 Water is applied through underground field trenches laid 15-30 m
apart.
 Open ditches are preferred because they are relatively cheaper
and suitable to all
types of soil.
 The irrigation water should be of good quality to prevent soil
salinity.
 Advantages
1. Minimum water requirement for raising crops
2. Minimum evaporation and deep percolation losses
3. No wastage of land
4. No interference to movement of farm machinery
5. Cultivation operations can be carried out without concern
for the irrigation period.
 Disadvantages
1. Requires a special combination of natural conditions.
2. There is danger of water logging
3. Possibility of choking of the pipes lay underground.
4. High cost.
Sub-surface drip
irrigation
 Irrigation Efficiency
 Irrigation efficiency means applying the right amount of water
at the right time evenly and reliably to achieve maximum crop
production and minimal detrimental impacts on the
environment

 Irrigation efficiency refers to the amount of water removed

from the water source that is used by the crop. 

 This value is determined by irrigation system management,

water distribution characteristics, crop water use rates, weather
and soil conditions.
  No irrigation­system delivers water at 100 percent efficiency.

 Water may be lost through

 delivery systems or pipelines and
 some water may remain in the soil, but not be used by the
crop.
 Types of irrigation efficiencies
 The following are the various types of irrigation
efficiencies:
1. Water Conveyance Efficiency (ηc): It is the ratio of the
amount of water applied, to the amount of water supplied
from the reservoir.
ηc = {W1/Wr} * 100
Where,
 ηc = Water conveyance efficiency.
 Wl = Amount of water available at the outlet’s point.
 Wr = Amount of water supplied from the reservoir.
2. Efficiency of Water application
 It is the ratio of quantity of water stored in the root zone of
the soil to the quantity of water delivered to the filed.
 It may be symbolised by ηa.
 It can be obtained by the following expression:
ηa = {Wz/W1} * 100
Where,
 ηa = Water application efficiency.
 Wz = Amount of water stored in the root zone.
 Wl = Amount of water supplied at the outlet point of the field.
3. Efficiency of Water use
 It is defined as the quantity of water used beneficially
including those of leaching requirement to the quantity of
water delivered to the field.
 It may be expressed by ηu.
 It can be obtained by the following expression:
ηu = {Wu/Wl} * 100
Where,
 ηu = Water use efficiency.
 Wu = Water used.
 Wl = Water Applied.
4. Efficiency of Consumptive use
 It can be defined as the ratio of normal consumptive use of
water to the net amount of water depleted from the root zone.
 It is expressed by ηcu.
 It can be obtained by the following expression:
ηcu = {Cu/Wp} * 100
Where,
 ηcu = Consumptive use efficiency.
 Cu = Consumptive use of water.
 Wp = Amount of water depleted from root zone.
 5. Efficiency of Water Storage
 It is defined as the ratio of quantity of water stored in the root
zone of the soil to the quantity of water required to bring the
moisture content of the soil to filed capacity.
 It is expressed by ηs.
 It can be obtained by the following expression:
ηs= {Wz/Wrz} * 100
Where,
 ηs = Storage efficiency.
 Wz = Amount of water stored in the root zone.
 Wrz= Root zone storage capacity.
 6.Efficiency of Water Distribution
 It is a measure of water distribution within the field.
 A low distribution efficiency means non-uniformity in the
distribution of irrigation water.
 It is expressed by ηd.
 It can be obtained by the following expression:
ηd = {1-(Y/d)}*100.
Where,
 Υ = Average numerical deviation in depth of water stored
from average depth stored during irrigation.
 d = Average depth of water stored during irrigation.
 Factors affecting irrigation efficiency
 There are several factors affecting irrigation water use
efficiency.
 They include :-
seepage,
percolation,
soil depth and texture,
evaporation and evapo-transpiration,
design of irrigation structures and their operation and
 maintenance, and management skills.
How irrigation efficiency can be increased?
 Make every drop of water count at your facility.
 Understanding precipitation rate,
 reducing run times based on irrigation head arc and pressure,
 raising/leveling heads,
 using proper nozzles and
 measuring soil moisture helps improve irrigation efficiency
considerably.
What is the most efficient method of irrigation?
 Drip irrigation is the most efficient irrigation method by
which water is sent through perforated plastic pipes that are
either land along the rows of crops or even buried along their
root lines.
 This type of irrigation is rarely used as it requires more
maintenance.
What is the least efficient irrigation method?
 Surface or flood irrigation is the least efficient manner of
irrigation.
 When a field is flooded, more water than is needed by the
plant is applied to the field and
 water evaporates, seeps into the ground and percolates down
to the groundwater, where it can be out of reach of the plant's
roots.