Lecture 7
Modern Irrigation Methods
ID#304,(Irrigation(and(Drainage(Practices,(2(1#1)
High Efficiency Irrigation System:
Pressurized irrigation system is a network comprising of pipes, fittings, filters, control devices, pumping unit and other
accessories. Properly installed to supply water under pressure from the water source to the cropped area.
HEIS include Drip, Sprinkler.
Drip irrigation System is further divided in different types that are given below.
1: Drip Irrigation System (online).
2: Drip Irrigation System (Inline).
3: Bubbler Irrigation System.
Sprinkler irrigation System :.
1: Rain Gun System
2: Hose Reel System
3: Center pivot System
4: Linear Move System.
Advantages of HEIS:
• Water Saving: 50 %
• Crop yield enhancement: 20-100 %
• Fertilizer use reduction: 40 %
• Improved Product quality.
World-wide Overview of Micro Irrigation Technologies
1. Drip Irrigation System
! Drip Irrigation is also known as trickle Irrigation.
! In this method water is applied in the form of drops directly near the plant base. i.e.
Irrigating crop roots, not the soil.
! This technology is best suited for orchards and high value row crops such as
sugarcane, cotton, maize and vegetables etc.
Fig.: Emitting system Fig.: Drip line (lateral)
[Link] Irrigation (cont.):
Main Components of Drip Irrigation system
Drip system has following five major components.
! Water sources
! Pump and prime mover
! Head Unit
i) Filtration system
ii) Monitoring equipment's
iii) Fertigation system
iv) Head Unit Platform
! Pipe network
i) Mainline
ii) Submain line
iii) Lateral (Drip line)
! Emitting devices
Fig.: Drip Irrigation system Typical Layout
Advantages of Drip Irrigation:
! Suitable for any topography.
! Reduce labour cost.
! No over-irrigation.
! Water logging avoided (i.e. no need for any drainage system).
! Nutrients of soil prevented (i.e. may not wash out as in the surface irrigation).
Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation:
! High initial cost.
! Danger of blockade of emitter nozzles.#
1. Sprinkler Irrigation System
! It is also called the Overhead irrigation system
! In this irrigation method, application of water is similar to natural rainfall.
! It is best suited for field crops that are closely together, such as cereals, (wheat,
millet, barley and pulses) and high value fodder crops.
Fig.: Sprinkler Irrigation system Typical layout Fig.: Sprinkler operating in the field
2. Sprinkler Irrigation System (Cont.):
This method is more useful where:
! The land cannot be prepared for surface methods,
! Slopes are excessive,
! Topography is irregular,
! Soil is erosive,
! Soil is excessive permeable.
" Sprinkler system can be further sub divided on the basis of their
mobility/portability:
! Permanent system
! Semi-permanent system
! Portable system
2. Sprinkler Irrigation (Cont.):
i. In Permanent system, pipes are permanently
buried in such a way that they do not interfere
with farming operations.
ii. In Semi – permanent system, the main lines are
(i)
buried in the ground, while the laterals are
portable.
iii. In Potable system, the main as well as laterals
are portable. These portable networks can be
move from one farm to another farm.
(ii)
(iii)
Advantages of Sprinkler Irrigation:
! Surface runoff is eliminated.
! Irrigation is better controlled.
! Labour cost is reduced.
! Small streams of Irrigation water can be used efficiently.
! More land will be available for cropping as borders and ditches are not required.
Limitations of Sprinkler Irrigation:
! Wind may distort sprinkler pattern and sprinkler network too.
! The power requirement is high.
! Water must be clean and free from sand or other dust particle
(to prevent blockade of sprinkler notches).
3. Center Pivot Irrigation system
! Center Pivot system is a form of overhead irrigation
consisting of self – propelled sprinklers rotating around
pivot (center) point mounted on a truss beam.
! Center pivots are electric or engine drive systems, which
can operate on soils with upto 15% slope.
! These systems are generally not recommended for heavy
soils with low infiltration rates.
! The system is generally for large areas.
Fig.: Center Pivot Irrigation System
Typical Layout and Infield Picture
4. Linear Move Irrigation System:
! Linear move sprinkler system is an adaptation of the center
pivot, which move in a straight line through the field at
right angles to the row direction.
! Linear move machines use spray nozzles or low-pressure
impact sprinklers. The system is designed for rectangular
fields system typically requires a minimum field length of
around 400 to 500 meters (1,300 to 1,600 feet) to operate
effectively. Smaller fields may not fully benefit from the
system due to its size, movement requirements, and setup
costs
! Linear move systems are suitable for a wide range of crops,
including row crops, forage crops, and cereals.
Fig.: Linear Move Irrigation System
Typical Layout and Infield Picture
Thanks