IRRIGATION ENGINEERING

6TH SEMESTER –“BE CIVIL”

© Er. Sandesh Sigdel

Chapter -3

Methods of irrigation
स च
िं ाईका विधिहरू

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© Er. Sandesh Sigdel

Water Requirements
Irrigation--Considerations ◼ Water loss
 Transpiration
• When do you water?
 Evaporation
• How often do you water? ◼ Evapotranspiration

• How much do you water? ◼ Plant composition

 85-96% of total plant weight is water
• How do you water? ◼ Consumptive water use
 Evapotranspiration + plant composition

Getting Water to the Plants

• Large quantities of water for successful growth
• Rainfall
• Inadequate
• Inconsistent
• Irrigation 2
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CHOICE OF IRRIGATION METHODS

The following criteria should be considered:

(a) Water supply available
(b) Topography of area to be irrigated
(c) Climate of the area
(d)Soils of the area
(e)Crops to be grown
(f) Economics
(g)Local traditions and skills.

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Boron---It is a structural component of plant cell walls and is required for plant growth, pollination, and seed formation.
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Traditional Methods

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◼ IRRIGATION METHODS

◼ a) Surface Irrigation: Just flooding water. About 90% of the irrigated areas in the world
are by this method.

◼ b) Sprinkler Irrigation: Applying water under pressure. About 5 % of the irrigated areas
are by this method.

◼ c) Drip or Trickle Irrigation: Applying water slowly to the soil ideally at the same rate with
crop consumption.

◼ d) Sub-Surface Irrigation: Flooding water underground and allowing it to come up by

capillarity to crop roots.

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IRRIGATION METHODS

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Surface irrigation vs. Subsurface irrigation

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PoU
Exam

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• What will happen if you don’t water enough?

• Reduced productivity
• Poor pollination, cracked fruit (water fluctuations)
• Delay maturity
• Reduce quality and yield
• What will happen if you water too much?
• Waste water
• Waste fertilizer
• Reduce quality and yield
• Favor disease

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SELECTION OF AN IRRIGATION METHOD BASED ON THE DEPTH OF THE NET

IRRIGATION APPLICATION

Rooting depth of the Net irrigation depth per

Soil type Irrigation method
crop application (mm)
Sand shallow 20-30 short furrows
medium furrows, short
medium 30-40
borders
long furrows, medium
deep 40-50
borders, small basins
Loam medium furrows, short
shallow 30-40
borders
long furrows, medium
medium 40-50
borders, small basins
long borders, medium
deep 50-60
basins
Clay long furrows, medium
shallow 40-50
borders, small basins
long borders, medium
medium 50-60
basins
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deep 60-70 large basins
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Suitability of Surface, Sprinkler or Drip Irrigation
The suitability of the various irrigation methods, i.e. surface, sprinkler or drip irrigation, depends mainly on the following factors:
a. Natural condition
Soil type
Sandy soils have a low water storage capacity and a high infiltration rate. Under these circumstances,
sprinkler or drip irrigation are more suitable than surface irrigation.
On loam or clay soils all three irrigation methods can be used, but surface irrigation is more commonly
found.
Clay soils with low infiltration rates are ideally suited to surface irrigation.
When a variety of different soil types is found within one irrigation scheme, sprinkler or drip irrigation are
recommended as they will ensure a more even water distribution.

Slope: Sprinkler or drip irrigation are preferred above surface irrigation on steeper or unevenly sloping
lands as they require little or no land levelling. An exception is rice grown on terraces on sloping lands.

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Climate:
Strong wind can disturb the spraying of water from sprinklers. Under very windy conditions, drip or
surface irrigation methods are preferred.
In areas of supplementary irrigation, sprinkler or drip irrigation may be more suitable than surface
irrigation because of their flexibility and adaptability to varying irrigation demands on the farm.

Water availability: Water application efficiency is generally higher with sprinkler and drip irrigation than
surface irrigation and so these methods are preferred when water is in short supply. However, it must be
remembered that efficiency is just as much a function of the irrigator as the method used.

Water quality:
Surface irrigation is preferred if the irrigation water contains much sediment. The sediments may clog the
drip or sprinkler irrigation systems. If the irrigation water contains dissolved salts, drip irrigation is
particularly suitable, as less water is applied to the soil than with surface methods.

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b. Types of crop
Surface irrigation can be used for all types of crops.
Sprinkler and drip irrigation, because of their high capital investment per hectare, are mostly used for
high value cash crops, such as vegetables and fruit trees.
Drip irrigation is suited to irrigating individual plants or trees or row crops such as vegetables and
sugarcane.

c. Types of technology
The type of technology affects the choice of irrigation method. In general, drip and sprinkler irrigation
are technically more complicated methods.
Surface irrigation systems - in particular small-scale schemes - usually require less sophisticated
equipment for both construction and maintenance (unless pumps are used).

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d. Previous experience
Introducing a previously unknown method may lead to unexpected complications. The servicing of the
equipment may be problematic and the costs may be high compared to the benefits. Often it will be easier
to improve the traditional irrigation method than to introduce a totally new method.

e. Required labour inputs

Surface irrigation often requires a much higher labour input - for construction, operation and
maintenance - than sprinkler or drip irrigation.
Surface irrigation requires accurate land levelling, regular maintenance and a high level of farmers'
organization to operate the system. Sprinkler and drip irrigation require little land levelling; system
operation and maintenance are less labour-intensive.

f. Costs and benefits

Before choosing an irrigation method, an estimate must be made of the costs and benefits of the available
options. On the cost side not only the construction and installation, but also the operation and
maintenance (per hectare) should be taken into account. These costs should then be compared with the
expected benefits (yields). It is obvious that farmers will only be interested in implementing a certain
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Conclusion:

Surface irrigation is by far the most widespread irrigation method. It is

normally used when conditions are favourable: mild and regular slopes,
soil type with medium to low infiltration rate, and a sufficient supply of
surface or groundwater.

In the case of steep or irregular slopes, soils with a very high

infiltration rate or scarcity of water, sprinkler and drip irrigation may be
more appropriate. When introducing sprinkler and drip irrigation it must
be ensured that the equipment can be maintained.

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Need of drip and sprinkle irrigation in Nepal

Nepal is basically an agricultural country. About 69% of the people
are dependent on agriculture for their income and employment. Farm
income is the major source of income for the majority of rural
population in Nepal. Vast agricultural land in Nepal is dependent on
the rainfall particularly the monsoon rains from June to September
.Significant changes in the pattern of monsoon will have major
implications on the food production and productivity thereby
seasonal food shortage. The productivity of the irrigated areas in
Nepal is one of the lowest in South Asia. There are a number of
factors behind this low level of production but lack of access to
reliable irrigation is one of the key constraints. There is an urgent
need for the optimal use of available water in order to increase
agricultural production.
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Cont. …
• Micro-irrigation such as drip, sprinkler, water harvesting systems, and treadle
pump can be good alternatives to irrigate such lands that are not covered by the
surface system. In recent years the development of small water sources and
rainwater harvesting by adoption of efficient application techniques such as drip
and sprinkler is found highly effective among farmers in crop diversification and
income generation. Thus, it is imperative to focus on these techniques that provide
irrigation facilities more efficiently to those areas that are beyond the reach with
traditional canal irrigation.
• In Nepal, the mountain regions and the northern Teri (Bhawar Zone) are the most
water scarce areas. While a number of rivers and streams pass through the hills,
their utilization in most cases is impossible without pumping or difficult canal
construction. However, recent experience in the sector shows a high potential to
irrigate significant areas of rain fed land through the development of small water
sources and rainwater harvesting, together with the adoption of efficient water
application methods – micro-irrigation technologies, such as such as drip and
sprinkler.

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Advantages and Benefits of Drip Irrigation System

•Water Efficiency:
By applying water only where and when it is needed, with less runoff and less evaporation from leaves and soil, the
uniform application of water from drip irrigation systems can achieve high water savings.
•Ease of Installation:
The system can be installed without special tools or glue, and with limited knowledge, making the installation a very
simple process.
•Reduced Pest Problems and Weed Growth:
Watering only the roots of your plants with drip irrigation cuts down on water-borne pests and fungal diseases that
spread by water movement, as well as the germination of weeds in the area between your plants.
•Versatility:
Low volume irrigation systems are designed for placement in both new and existing landscape areas, and are ideal
for installation on difficult terrain such as on slopes, in oddly shaped areas, and on windy sites.
•Root Zone:
One benefit of a drip irrigation system is the creation of a totally new and more favorable root zone environment
because of the maintenance of a relatively constant soil moisture level. This has important implications for plant
water requirements, tolerance and control of disease.
•Economy:
Investing in a low volume irrigation system can save you money and significantly lower your water use.
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Sprinkler
The method of irrigation by which water is sprayed on the land surface in form of artificial rain is known as
Sprinkler Irrigation. To create the precipitation, water under pressure is ejected through the nozzle of the
device called as sprinkler. Various forms of sprinklers designs are available. In Nepal, sprinkler irrigation was
first introduced by ADB/ N in the mid 80,s. At that time mostly rotary impact sprinklers with metal head were
in use. After some years, sprinklers made with plastics material in various design became available in the
Nepali market through the efforts of private sector companies. Arm sprinkler was the most commonly
adopted model
Sprinkler irrigation is a method of applying irrigation water which is similar to natural rainfall. Water is
distributed through a system of pipes usually by pumping. It is then sprayed into the air through sprinklers so
that it breaks up into small water drops which fall to the ground. The pump supply system, sprinklers and
operating conditions must be designed to enable a uniform application of water.
Sprinkler irrigation is suited for most row, field and tree crops and water can be sprayed over or under the
crop canopy. However, large sprinklers are not recommended for irrigation of delicate crops such as lettuce
because the large water drops produced by the sprinklers may damage the crop.
Sprinkler irrigation is adaptable to any farmable slope, whether uniform or undulating. The lateral pipes
supplying water to the sprinklers should always be laid out along the land contour whenever possible. This
will minimize the pressure changes at the sprinklers and provide a uniform irrigation.
Sprinklers are best suited to sandy soils with high infiltration rates although they are adaptable to most soils.
The average application rate from the sprinklers (in mm/hour) is always chosen to be less than the 65 basic
infiltration rate of the soil so that surface ponding and runoff can be avoided.
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Application efficiency

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Hydraulics of irrigation distribution

In surface irrigation, water is applied directly to the soil surface

from a channel located at the upper reach of the field. Gravity
provides the major driving force to spread water over the
irrigated field. Once distributed over the surface of the field and
after it has entered the soil, water is often redistributed by
forces other than gravity. Generally, in a surface irrigation
event four distinct hydraulic phases can be determined.

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1. Advance Phase
The time interval between the start of irrigation and arrival of the advancing (wetting) front at
the lower end of the field is known as advance phase. Rate of advance depends on the factors
like inflow, field slope, soil intake rate and surface roughness.

2. Ponding (Wetting Storage Or Continuing) Phase

The period of time between the end of the advance phase and the cutoff of inflow is known as
ponding phase or wetting phase. The term “wetting phase” is usually used for furrow and
border where tail water runoff can occur, whereas “ponding” is the preferred term for basin
irrigation (no tail water runoff). The wetting or ponding phase will not be present if the inflow
is terminated before the advance phase is completed, a typical situation in borders and basins,
but a rarity in furrows.

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3. Depletion (Vertical Recession) Phase

The time interval between the cut-off of the supply and the complete disappearance of water
from the inflow end is called the depletion phase.

4. Recession (Horizontal Recession) Phase

The time required the water to recede from all points in the channel, starting from the end of
the depletion phase is known as recession phase. Recession continues until either the front
reaches the end of the field. Like advance phase, the rate of recession also depends upon the
inflow rate, the slope of the field, the infiltration capacity of the soil, and hydraulic
roughness. Recession will tend to be most rapid when the inflow rate is low, the field slope
is steep, the infiltration capacity is high, and/or the hydraulic roughness is small.

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© Er. Sandesh Sigdel For general information : Irrigation in hills of Nepal (short video )

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Some past PoU Questions ????

• Explain different methods of irrigation .

• Explain different methods of irrigation with sketches.
• Which type of irrigation is suitable for water scarcity region and why?
• Explain hydraulics of irrigation distribution . Mention suitability of different irrigation
methods.
• Technique of water distribution in field .
• Justify sprinkler and drip irrigation methods are innovative methods of irrigation in
Nepal where topography and availability are major constraints .
• Difference between surface and subsurface irrigation.

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