Methods and Types of Irrigation

Presented by:
Ankur Vishwakarma

1
Irrigation Scheme
It means the area where crops are grown under irrigation through any
method including flood recession; gravity or pump fed canal systems
supplying either surface or groundwater; water harvesting and
pressurized systems such as drip and sprinkler.

1. Direct Scheme
2. Storage Scheme
Irrigation System
A system of supplying (land) with water by means of artificial canals,
ditches, etc. especially to promote the growth of food crops.
 Types of Irrigation
Based on the availability of irrigational water

1. Flow irrigation system: conveyance using gravity

i. Direct Irrigation system

ii. Reservoir or Storage Irrigation system

i. Direct Irrigation system – is without storing water

• Weir/Barrage is constructed across river, raising water level

ii. Reservoir – is when structure is constructed to store

• Dams and then water is fed through canals

2. Lift irrigation system: water needs to irrigated at higher elevations

• Pumping from lower height (source) to required land

• Pumps or other mechanical devices
• Eg: irrigation from wells

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 Types of Irrigation

Direct Irrigation system: Diversion Head Works

Diversion Head Works

Source: [Link] 5
 Types of Irrigation
Storage Irrigation system

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Source: [Link]
 Types of Irrigation

Based on duration of irrigation

1. Inundation Irrigation system
• Rivers is allowed to flood the cultivable land.
• Practiced in delta regions
• Also by artificially built inundation canals

2. Perennial Irrigation system

• Water is supplied when required, at regular intervals
• Source may be river, wells or other perennial water source

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 Methods of Irrigation
• Surface (Gravity)
• Sub-surface (Sub-irrigation)
• Pressurized system (Drip and Sprinkler systems)

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 Factors affecting choice of method of irrigation

• Soil characteristics of land to be irrigated

• Topography – slope, roughness of surface
• Size of stream supplying irrigation water
• Available water supplies
• Rate of infiltration of soils
• Depth of root zone of plants
• Depth of water table
• Possible erosion hazard
• Amount of water to be applied during each irrigation
Select method of irrigation should fulfill following objectives

• Adequate amount of water is stored in the root zone of plants

• Light irrigation: uniform application of 6cm
• Heavy irrigation: uniform depth of water application of 15 to
20cm should be possible.
• Minimum soil erosion.
• Reduce wastage of water
• Reuse of water is made possible
• Minimum land (of fields) is used for irrigation systems
• Method properly fits the boundary of land to be irrigated
 Surface Irrigation: Wild Flooding

• Also known as Uncontrolled flooding

• Water is applied by spreading it over land, without any preparation of
land (to guide the flow).
• During high stream flow, water from source is allowed on land and is
to made to spread along natural slope.
• Suitable for smooth, flat land
• Wastage of water is high
• Practiced in areas with abundance and irrigation is less expensive.
 Surface Irrigation: Controlled Flooding

• Here quantity of irrigation water is controlled.

• Prior preparation of land is essential.

Free Flooding
• Commonly adopted in India
• Field is divided in to small size plots having horizontal surfaces
• Water is fed at the higher end and made to flow till the end and
then cut off.
• Size of plot depends on the porosity.
Surface Irrigation: Controlled Flooding

Free Flooding
 Surface Irrigation: Contour Laterals

• Practiced when terrain is steep

• Laterals are aligned along contour lines
• Laterals are aligned perpendicular to contour lines, land on both sides of channel can be
irrigated
 Surface Irrigation: Border strip method

• Land is divided in to narrow strips (width about 20m & length about 200-300m),
separated by borders/levees.
• Each strip (of gentle slope) is irrigated independently.
• Flow of water is sheet like, (Q = 14 to 28 litre/s)
• Slope is lengthwise between 0.5 to 1.5%
• Initial 6 to 12m length is made level for uniform spreading of water
• Length of strips depends on infiltration rate of soil, slope and size of irrigation stream.
• Longitudinal Slope depends on type of soil.
• Steeper: soil erosion, insufficient at upper reaches
• Flat: slow movement of water, percolation losses, insufficient at lower reaches
Type of soil Length of strip (m) Slope (%)
Sandy and sandy loam 60-120 0.25 to 0.60
Medium loam soils 100-120 0.2 to 0.40
Clay loam & clay soils 150-300 0.05 to 0.20
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 Surface Irrigation: Check Flooding

• Similar to Ordinary flooding.

• Comparatively large stream supplies water w.r.t plot size
• Water is controlled by surrounding the check area with low and flat levees.
• Surrounded by levee- width: 2-3m (at bottom) and height: 15-30 cm.
• The check is filled with water at a fairly high rate and allowed to stand until the water
infiltrates
• The confined plot area varies from 0.2 to 0.8 hectares.
• If the ground has slope, then levees follow the contours.
• Suitable for low as well as high intake soils and for rice or other crops which can
withstand temporary flooding.
Surface Irrigation: Check Flooding
 Surface Irrigation: Basin Flooding

• Special type of check flooding

• Adopted specially for “Orchard trees”
• One or more trees are generally placed in the basin
• Surface is flooded as in check method by ditch water.
• Pipes also can be used to supply water to individual trees
 Surface Irrigation: Zig-Zag method

• Plot is sub divided into number of strips.

• Separated by bunds/levees in a zig-zag manner.
• Water flows and covers entire area.
• When desired depth is attained, water supply is closed
• Suitable for level plots but not for machine farming
 Furrow Method

• Suitable for crops grown & planted in rows.

• Wetting is done of only a part of the field, unlike flooding.
• The area wetted varies from 1/2 to 1/5 of total area over which
crops are grown.
• Losses due to evaporation, deep percolation, etc., are reduced
• The longitudinal slope of a furrow may be from 2-10m/1000m.
• Length of furrows may be up to 500m for field crops, about
30m or less for gardens.
• Spacing of furrows depend on the type of crop.
• In case of orchards it is around 1-2m
• Common size of furrow is 25cm wide and 8-10cm high.
Furrow Method
 Contour Farming

• Practised in hilly area, generally land have steep slopes

• Reduces erosion due to rainfall/irrigation
• Land is divided in to strips called terraces/benches
• Terraces follow contours, vertical interval of 300-600m.
• The 1st contour will be at 1.2-1.5m below the top.
• Strips have gentle slope along length, for efficient irrigation &
drainage of excess water
• Bunds are provided at the end of strips, to allow retention of
sufficient depth of water.
Contour Farming
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 Sub-surface Irrigation

• Here supply of water is direct to root zone

• Suitable when
– Impervious sub soil at reasonable depth (2-3 m)
– Uniform topography
– Moderate slopes
– Good quality of water
• Precaution: alkali accumulation & excess water logging.
• Advantages:
– Economical use of water
– High yield
– Low cost of labor required for preparation
• Two classes
– Natural
– Artificial
 Sub-surface Irrigation

Natural sub-surface irrigation:

• Water is supplied to root zone by controlling the local water table.
• The water seeping from earthen canals, drains, rivers etc, cause raise in
water table, due to geological & topographical conditions.
• To ensure requisite depth of water supply, water table needs to be
maintained.
• Series of channels: up to 1 m deep, 25-50 cm wide & vertical sides are
used.
• Channels are spaced: 15 – 100 m apart, depending up on permeability of
soil & topography of land.
• Flat channels, so water can reach & maintain water table level.
• In case of shallow water table, upward capillary flow may result in saline
&
alkaline conditions.
 Sub-surface Irrigation
Artificial sub-surface irrigation:
• Supply water to root zone using network of perforated pipes.
• Used in soils, which have high lateral flow, high horizontal permeability
and low vertical permeability.
• Pipes are at a depth of 0.3 to 0.4 m deep.
• Spaced at 0.4 to 0.5 m horizontally for uniform distribution.
Pressurised irrigation
• SPRINKLER IRRIGATION - In this type of irrigation
system water is applied to soil in the form of spray
through a network of pipes and pumps. It is kind of
artificial rainfall.

• DRIP IRRIGATION (TRICKLE IRRIGATION) – In this type

of irrigation system water is conveyed under pressure
through a pipe system to the fields, where it drips
slowly onto the soil through emitters or drippers
which are located close to the plants.
 SELECTION OF IRRIGATION METHODS

• Soil
• Land Topography
• Climate
• Water Supply (Quantity and Quality)
• Crops
• Cropping machinery
• Field dimensions etc.
TYPES OF SPRINKLERS
1. ROTATING HEAD

2. PERFORATED PIPE SYSTEM

i. PORTABLE SYSTEM
ii. SEMI PORTABLE SYSTEM
iii. SEMI PERMANENT SYSTEM
iv. SOLID SET SYSTEM
v. PERMANENT SYSTEM
COMPONENT OF SPRINKLER
Portable Solid-Set Sprinkler System
PERMANENT SYSTEM
 Impact Sprinklers
Two-nozzle, bronze impact sprinkler

Range (Drive) Nozzle

Impact Arm

Trajectory
Angle Spreader Nozzle

Bearing
 Impact Sprinklers

RainBird 30 RainBird 14 RainBird 70

Sprinklers in Operation
Center Pivot System with Spray Pad Sprinklers
CENTER PIVOTED SPRINKLER SYSTEM
TRAVELLING SPRINKLER
Traveling Volume Gun Sprinkler Irrigating from Lagoon
SIDE ROLL SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Side-Roll Sprinkler Lateral in Peanuts
 LAYOUT OF THE SYSTEM DEPENDS ON
FOLLOWING FACTORS
• SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE FIELD
• LOCATION AND TYPE OF SOURCE
• QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF WATER
• POWER SUPPLY
• CLIMATIC CONIDITION
• WIND VELOCITY
• DEPTH OF IRRIGATION
• INFILTRATION OF SOIL
 ADVANTAGES
• Seepage losses which occur in earthen channel of surface irrigation
methods are completely eliminated.
• Land leveling is not required, and avoiding the removal of top fertile
soil , as happens in other surface irrigation method.
• No cultivation area is lost by making ditches, increases about 10% to
16% of cropped area.
• In sprinkler system, the water is applied at rate lesser than infiltration
capacity of soil, and thus avoiding surface runoff and its bad effect.
• Fertilizer can be uniformly applied because mixed
with irrigation water.
• This method leaches down salt and prevents water
logging or salinity.
• It is less labour oriented.
• Up to 85% efficiency can be achieved.
LIMITATIONS
• High wind may distort sprinkler pattern, causing non-uniform
spreading of water on the crop.
• In area of high temperature and high wind velocity, consideration
evaporation losses of water take place.
• They are not suited to crops requiring frequent and larger depth of
irrigation such as paddy.
• Initial cost of system is very high and the system require high
technical skill.
• Only the sand and silt free water can be used.
• It requires large electrical power.
• Heavy soil with poor intake cannot be irrigated
efficiently.
• A constant water supply is needed for commercial use
of equipment.
 DRIP IRRIGATION
One of the pressurized irrigation method to
apply water drop by drop through emitters
(drippers) in the vicinity of root zone.
Applies sufficient moisture to the root of the
crop to prevent water stress.
 Sufficient moisture
Irrigation in root & no surface
vicinity through flooding
emitter
 COMPONENTS
A. A. WATER SOURCE
a) Surface
b) Well
c) Municipal

B. B. PUMPING SYSTEM
a) Electric powered pump
b) Gas or diesel driven pump
c) Overhead Tank
C. DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
a) Main, Sub-main, Manifold (Permanent (underground or
above the ground)
b) Laterals (Above the ground)

D. FILTRATION SYSTEM
a) Primary filters
b) Secondary filters
c) Holding/settling ponds

E. FERTILIZER INJECTORS
F. EMITTERS/DRIPPERS
Water Source Diesel Powered
Pumping System
 Injector
Drip irrigation filter and
distribution system.
 Pressure Water meters installed
Regulators near the field
LAYOUT
BASIC COMPONENTS
SUITABILITY
Suitable crops – orchards and row crops
Suitable soils – all types
Suitable land topography – no land
preparation required, undulated land can be
used
Suitable irrigation water – poor quality
(saline) water can be used , suitable when
water is scarce.
ADVANTAGES
Reduced water use
Joint management of irrigation &
fertilization
Low pumping needs
Automation
High Yield
Minimized soil erosion
Less labour cost
Reduced risk of disease
Can be used in windy atmosphere
Better control over irrigation
Better uniformity.
Adaptation to oddly shaped fields or
those with uneven topography
DISADVANTAGES
High initial cost
Requires good quality water
Requires safety
Waste of water, time & harvest if not
installed properly
Requires maintenance
Restricted root development
Salt accumulation at root zone periphery
Thank you

65
 Irrigation Efficiencies,
Irrigation Requirements &
Soil Water Plant Relationship

Presented by:
Ankur Vishwakarma

1
GIR > FIR > NIR > CIR
Important Definitions:
• Ultimate Wilting Point
• Temporary Wilting Point
• Saturation Capacity
• Time Factor
• Capacity Factor =(Qmean/Qmax)
• Culturable Cultivable Command Area (CCCA)
• Percentage Irrigation = (CCCA/CCA)*100
• Paleo Irrigation (Land Preparation)
• Kor Irrigation (After Seedling 1st Watering)
• Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR)
• Exchangeable Sodium Percentage /Ratio (ESP or ESR)
Thank you

32
Quality of Irrigation Water

Presented by:
Ankur Vishwakarma

1
Introduction
1. Sediment concentration in water
2. Total concentration of soluble salts in water
3. Proportion of sodium ions to other cations
4. Concentration of potentially toxic elements present in water
5. Bicarbonate concentration as related to the concentration of calcium
plus magnesium
6. Bacterial contamination
1. Sediments:
• The effect of sediment present in the irrigation water depends upon the type of
irrigated land. When fine sediment from water is deposited on sandy soils, the
fertility is improved.
• On the other hand, if the sediment has been derived from the eroded areas, it
may reduce the fertility or decrease the soil permeability.
• Sedimented water creates troubles in irrigation canals, as it increases their
siltation and maintenance costs.
• In general, ground water or surface water from reservoirs, etc. does not have
sufficient sediment to cause any serious problems in irrigation.
2. Total concentration of soluble salts
• Salts of calcium, magnesium sodium and potassium, present in the irrigation water may prove
injurious to plants.
• When present in excessive quantities, they reduce the osmotic activities of the plants, and may
prevent adequate aeration, causing injuries to plant growth.
• The injurious effects of salts on the plant growth depend upon the concentration of salts left in the
soil.
• The concentration of salts in water, may not appear to be harmful to the plants, but the
concentration of salts which remain in the soil after the saline water is used up by the plants is
much more than the first, and may prove to be harmful.
• In other words, at the beginning of irrigation with undesirable water, no harm may be evident, but
with the passage of time, the salt concentration in the soil may increase to a harmful level, as the
soil solution gets concentrated by evaporation.
3. Proportion of sodium ions to other cations
• Most of the soils contain calcium and magnesium ions and small quantities of sodium ions.
• The percentage of the sodium ions is generally less than 5% of the total exchangeable cations.
If this percentage increases to about 10% or more, the aggregation of soil grains breaks down.
• The soil becomes less permeable and of poorer tilth. It starts crusting when dry and its pH
increases towards that of an alkaline soil.
• High sodium soils are, therefore, plastic, sticky when wet, and are prone to form clods, and
they crust on drying.
The proportion of sodium ions present in the soils, is generally measured by a factor called
Sodium-Absorption Ratio (SAR) and represents the sodium hazards of water. SAR is defined as :
Where the concentration of the ions is expressed in equivalent per million (epm)

Na+
SAR =
Ca++ + Mg ++
2
• Depending upon the Electrical conductivity 𝐸𝐶 (representing salt content) of water, the exchangeable
sodium percentage ESP (representing percentage of sodium [Link] total exchangeable cations), and the
pH value of the soil, the soils are classified as saline, alkaline, or saline-alkali, as shown in table 1.3
below:
(4) Concentration of potentially toxic elements
• A large number of elements such as boron, selenium, etc. may be toxic to plants.
• Traces of Boron are essential to plant growth, but its concentrations above 0.3ppm may prove toxic
to certain plants.
• The concentration above 0.5ppm is dangerous to nuts, citrus fruits and deciduous fruits.
• Cotton, Cereals and certain truck crops are moderately tolerant to boron, while Dates, Beets,
Asparagus' etc. are quite tolerant. Even for the most tolerant crops, the boron concentration should
not exceed 4 ppm.
• Boron is generally present in various soaps.
• The waste water containing soap, etc. should, therefore, be used with great care in irrigation.
Selenium, even in low concentration, is toxic, and must be avoided.
(5) Bicarbonate concentration as related to concentration of calcium plus magnesium
• High concentration of bi-carbonate ions may result in precipitation of calcium and magnesium
bicarbonates from the soil-solution, increasing the relative proportion of sodium ions and
causing sodium hazards.

(6) Bacterial contamination

• Bacterial contamination of irrigation water is not a serious problem, unless the crops irrigated
with highly contaminated water are directly eaten, without being cooked.
• Cash crops like cotton, nursery stock, etc. which are processed after harvesting, can,
therefore, use contaminated waste waters, without any trouble.
Example 1.1. (a) What is the classification of irrigation water having the following characteristics:
Concentration of 𝐍𝐚, 𝐂𝐚 and 𝐌𝐠 are 22, 3 and 𝟏. 𝟓 milli-equiavalents per litre respectively, and the
electrical conductivity is 200 micro mhos per 𝐜𝐦 at 𝟐𝟓∘ 𝐂 ? (b) What problems might arise in using
this water on fine textured soils? (c) What remedies do you suggest to overcome this trouble?

Solution.
Na+ 22 22 22
SAR = = = = = 14.67
Ca++ + Mg ++ 3 + 1.5 2.25 1.5
2 2
If SAR is between 10 to 18 , then it is classified as medium Sodium water and is represented by S2 (See
Table 1.2 ).
Electrical conductivity is 200 micro-mhos per cm at 25oC.
According to Table 1.1, the water is called of Low conductivity (C1) if the value of electrical conductivity is
between 100 to 250 micro mhos per cm at 25oC. It is, therefore, C1 water.
Hence, the given water is classified as C1-S2 water. Ans.
(b) In fine-textured soils, the medium sodium (S2) water may create the following problems :

(i) Soil becomes less permeable.

(ii) It starts crusting when dry.
(iii) It becomes plastic and sticky when wet.
(iv) Its pH increases towards that of alkaline soil.

(c) Gypsum ( CaSO4 ሻ addition, either to soil or to water is suggested to overcome sodium hazards
posed by the given water.
Thank you

15
Irrigation Scheme/System

Presented by:
Ankur Vishwakarma

1
Thank you