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Irrigation Systems and Methods

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IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

To ensure plants can grow normally and yield crops, they need irrigation water, which is drawn from a water source through various structures, delivered to the irrigated area, and distributed within the area to the root zone of the plants. The entirety of these structures is known as the irrigation system. These structures not only facilitate the intake, conveyance, and distribution of water but also its control. Irrigation systems are classified as follows:

According to Service Areas

  • Large irrigation systems
  • Field irrigation systems

According to Water Conveyance and Distribution

  • Surface irrigation
  • Pressurized irrigation
    • High-pressure irrigation
    • Low-pressure irrigation

Irrigation Methods

  1. Surface Irrigation

    • Flood irrigation
    • Basin (ponding) irrigation
    • Furrow irrigation
    • Long basin irrigation

  2. Pressurized Irrigation

    • Macro irrigation
    • Sprinkler irrigation
    • Micro irrigation
    • Drip irrigation

Classification of Irrigation Methods

The term "irrigation method" refers to the way water, delivered from the source to the field parcels, is applied to the plant root zone. It is possible to classify irrigation methods into surface and pressurized irrigation methods. In surface irrigation methods, water advances over the land surface under the influence of gravity, infiltrating the soil as it moves, and the desired amount of irrigation water is stored in the plant root zone. In pressurized irrigation methods, irrigation water is conveyed and distributed from the source to the plant through pressurized pipes. In pressurized systems, water is delivered to the plant either from above, similar to natural rainfall as in sprinkler irrigation, or directly to the soil surface as in drip irrigation.

Selection of Suitable Irrigation Method

When opening a specific area for irrigation, the most appropriate irrigation method is first selected based on the conditions. Then, the system required by this method is planned, established, and operated. Generally, the chosen irrigation method must meet the following conditions:

  • Uniform water distribution
  • Minimization of losses such as deep percolation and surface runoff
  • Prevention of soil erosion
  • Non-interference with agricultural mechanization
  • Assistance in leaching salts in areas with salinity problems

It is impossible to find an irrigation method that meets all these conditions. Each irrigation method has its advantages and disadvantages. The factors influencing the choice of irrigation method are schematically shown in Table 4.2. As illustrated, these factors can be grouped into seven categories: water source and irrigation water characteristics, soil properties, topographic features, climatic conditions, plant characteristics, economy, and social and cultural conditions. Evaluating these factors comparatively will largely determine which irrigation method should be selected.

Water Source and Irrigation Water Characteristics

  • Type and Distance of Water Source: If irrigation water is diverted from rivers, etc., it is usually delivered through an open channel system, and surface irrigation methods are applied. If the water source is high enough to provide the desired pressure, pressurized irrigation methods should be preferred as no additional energy cost is required. When water is sourced from deep wells, the unit cost of water is relatively high. In this case, pressurized irrigation methods that achieve high irrigation efficiency are selected.

  • Flow Rate of the Water Source: Basin (ponding) and long basin (border) irrigation methods require a large amount of water. Therefore, if the flow rate at the field head is below 30 l/s, one of the furrow irrigation or pressurized irrigation methods should be chosen.

  • Water Scarcity: In cases where the irrigated area is large and water is scarce, a high water application efficiency is required, and pressurized irrigation methods are generally selected.

Irrigation Systems and Methods Before

Irrigation Systems and Methods

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS To ensure plants can grow normally and yield crops, they need irrigation water, which is drawn from a water source through various structures, delivered to the irrigated area, and distributed within the area to the root zone of the plants. The entirety of these structures is known as the irrigation system. These structures not only facilitate the intake, conveyance, and distribution of water but also its control. Irrigation systems are classified as follows: According to Service Areas Large irrigation systems Field irrigation systems According to Water Conveyance and Distribution Surface irrigation Pressurized irrigation High-pressure irrigation Low-pressure irrigation Irrigation Methods Surface Irrigation Flood irrigation Basin (ponding) irrigation Furrow irrigation Long basin irrigation Pressurized Irrigation Macro irrigation Sprinkler irrigation Micro irrigation Drip irrigation Classification of Irrigation Methods The term "irrigation method" refers to the way water, delivered from the source to the field parcels, is applied to the plant root zone. It is possible to classify irrigation methods into surface and pressurized irrigation methods. In surface irrigation methods, water advances over the land surface under the influence of gravity, infiltrating the soil as it moves, and the desired amount of irrigation water is stored in the plant root zone. In pressurized irrigation methods, irrigation water is conveyed and distributed from the source to the plant through pressurized pipes. In pressurized systems, water is delivered to the plant either from above, similar to natural rainfall as in sprinkler irrigation, or directly to the soil surface as in drip irrigation. Selection of Suitable Irrigation Method When opening a specific area for irrigation, the most appropriate irrigation method is first selected based on the conditions. Then, the system required by this method is planned, established, and operated. Generally, the chosen irrigation method must meet the following conditions: Uniform water distribution Minimization of losses such as deep percolation and surface runoff Prevention of soil erosion Non-interference with agricultural mechanization Assistance in leaching salts in areas with salinity problems It is impossible to find an irrigation method that meets all these conditions. Each irrigation method has its advantages and disadvantages. The factors influencing the choice of irrigation method are schematically shown in Table 4.2. As illustrated, these factors can be grouped into seven categories: water source and irrigation water characteristics, soil properties, topographic features, climatic conditions, plant characteristics, economy, and social and cultural conditions. Evaluating these factors comparatively will largely determine which irrigation method should be selected. Water Source and Irrigation Water Characteristics Type and Distance of Water Source: If irrigation water is diverted from rivers, etc., it is usually delivered through an open channel system, and surface irrigation methods are applied. If the water source is high enough to provide the desired pressure, pressurized irrigation methods should be preferred as no additional energy cost is required. When water is sourced from deep wells, the unit cost of water is relatively high. In this case, pressurized irrigation methods that achieve high irrigation efficiency are selected. Flow Rate of the Water Source: Basin (ponding) and long basin (border) irrigation methods require a large amount of water. Therefore, if the flow rate at the field head is below 30 l/s, one of the furrow irrigation or pressurized irrigation methods should be chosen. Water Scarcity: In cases where the irrigated area is large and water is scarce, a high water application efficiency is required, and pressurized irrigation methods are generally selected.

Irrigation Systems and Methods

IRRIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS To ensure plants can grow normally and yield crops, they need irrigation water, which is drawn from a water source through various structures, delivered to the irrigated area, and distributed within the area to the root zone of the plants. The entirety of these structures is known as the irrigation system. These structures not only facilitate the intake, conveyance, and distribution of water but also its control. Irrigation systems are classified as follows: According to Service Areas Large irrigation systems Field irrigation systems According to Water Conveyance and Distribution Surface irrigation Pressurized irrigation High-pressure irrigation Low-pressure irrigation Irrigation Methods Surface Irrigation Flood irrigation Basin (ponding) irrigation Furrow irrigation Long basin irrigation Pressurized Irrigation Macro irrigation Sprinkler irrigation Micro irrigation Drip irrigation Classification of Irrigation Methods The term "irrigation method" refers to the way water, delivered from the source to the field parcels, is applied to the plant root zone. It is possible to classify irrigation methods into surface and pressurized irrigation methods. In surface irrigation methods, water advances over the land surface under the influence of gravity, infiltrating the soil as it moves, and the desired amount of irrigation water is stored in the plant root zone. In pressurized irrigation methods, irrigation water is conveyed and distributed from the source to the plant through pressurized pipes. In pressurized systems, water is delivered to the plant either from above, similar to natural rainfall as in sprinkler irrigation, or directly to the soil surface as in drip irrigation. Selection of Suitable Irrigation Method When opening a specific area for irrigation, the most appropriate irrigation method is first selected based on the conditions. Then, the system required by this method is planned, established, and operated. Generally, the chosen irrigation method must meet the following conditions: Uniform water distribution Minimization of losses such as deep percolation and surface runoff Prevention of soil erosion Non-interference with agricultural mechanization Assistance in leaching salts in areas with salinity problems It is impossible to find an irrigation method that meets all these conditions. Each irrigation method has its advantages and disadvantages. The factors influencing the choice of irrigation method are schematically shown in Table 4.2. As illustrated, these factors can be grouped into seven categories: water source and irrigation water characteristics, soil properties, topographic features, climatic conditions, plant characteristics, economy, and social and cultural conditions. Evaluating these factors comparatively will largely determine which irrigation method should be selected. Water Source and Irrigation Water Characteristics Type and Distance of Water Source: If irrigation water is diverted from rivers, etc., it is usually delivered through an open channel system, and surface irrigation methods are applied. If the water source is high enough to provide the desired pressure, pressurized irrigation methods should be preferred as no additional energy cost is required. When water is sourced from deep wells, the unit cost of water is relatively high. In this case, pressurized irrigation methods that achieve high irrigation efficiency are selected. Flow Rate of the Water Source: Basin (ponding) and long basin (border) irrigation methods require a large amount of water. Therefore, if the flow rate at the field head is below 30 l/s, one of the furrow irrigation or pressurized irrigation methods should be chosen. Water Scarcity: In cases where the irrigated area is large and water is scarce, a high water application efficiency is required, and pressurized irrigation methods are generally selected.

Irrigation Systems and Methods After