Water Application Methods

Abstract

The application of water to soils for crop use is referred to as irrigation. Irrigation systems differ greatly depending on what they are going to be used for. They range from the simple hand watering method used in most home gardens and many nurseries to the huge flood and furrow irrigation systems found in large-scale production. Surface (gravity-driven surface irrigation), sprinkler, drip/micro, and subsurface are types of irrigation methods that are used by growers to irrigate various crops. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. But with good design, they can be very successful for appropriate cases. Water losses from irrigation vary with the type of irrigation method. The water management decisions strongly influence how uniform water can be applied through different irrigation methods to provide optimal soil water conditions for crop growth and marketable yields. The most appropriate irrigation method for an area depends upon physical site conditions, the crops being grown, amount of water available, and management skill. This chapter gives some very broad guidance and indicates several important criteria in the selection of a suitable irrigation method.