Types of Surface Irrigation Systems or Methods

1. Basin

Basin irrigation supports a unidirectional flow of water, which helps to create a pond-like system
where the roots of the crops are submerged. Basin irrigation is the most common form of surface
irrigation, particularly in regions with layouts of small fields. If a field is level in all directions,
encompassed by a dyke to prevent runoff and provides an undirected flow of water onto the field, it is
referred to as basin. (Stauffer & Spuhler 2012b)

If the basins are small or if the discharge rate available is relatively large, there are few soils not
amenable to basin irrigation. Generally, basin irrigation is favored by moderate to slow intake soils
and deep-rooted, closely spaced crops. Crops, which do not tolerate flooding and soils subject to
crusting can be basin irrigated by furrowing or using raised bed planting. Basin irrigation is an effective
method of leaching salts from the soil profile into the deeper groundwater.

Basin irrigation systems can be automated with relatively simple and inexpensive flow controls at the
basin inlet but also holds a number of limitations that are recognized primarily in association with
agriculture in the less developed countries. Accurate land leveling is prerequisite to high uniformities
and efficiencies, but this is difficult to accomplish in small areas. The perimeter dikes must be well
maintained to eliminate breaching and waste. It is difficult and often infeasible to incorporate the use
of modem farm machinery in small basins, thereby limiting small-scale basin irrigation to hand and
animal powered cultivation. (Walker 2003)
2. Border

A surface irrigation configuration in which irrigation is applied to rectangular strips of the field.
Borders typically have a slope in the direction of irrigation, but not laterally. The sides of the
strip are generally edged with a small ridge or dike.

Border irrigation is a type of surface irrigation where the field is divided into strips separated by
border ridges running down the gradient of the field. The area between the ridges is flooded during
irrigation. It can be viewed as an extension of basin irrigation to include long rectangular or contoured
field shapes, longitudinal but no lateral slope, and free draining or blocked conditions at the lower
end.

In many circumstances, border irrigation can be viewed as an expansion of basin irrigation to include
long rectangular or contoured field shapes, longitudinal but no lateral slope, and free draining or
blocked conditions at the lower end. (Walker 2003)

In border irrigation, a field is divided into strips separated by border ridges running down the slope of
the field. The width of the stripes is usually from 6 to 30 meters. The area between the ridges is
flooded during irrigation. Border irrigation is used for tree crops and for crops as alfalfa (Medicago
sativa) and small grains. (UCCE 2003)
3. Furrow

Furrow irrigation comes under the umbrella term of "surface irrigation", which is one of the oldest
methods of irrigation, stretching back at least 8,000 years and some of the techniques originally
employed are still in use across the world today (Ware, 2022)

Furrow irrigation is a method of laying out the water channels in such a way where gravity plays the
role of providing just enough water for suitable plants to grow. It is usually made by the planned
placement of ridges and furrows. It is a kind of surface irrigation system.A ridge is the part of the
layout of the field that is elevated at different angles based on the type of soil. This is actually where
the plants are planted. The furrows are the troughs that let the water flow through it (Wadud, 2021).

Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation in which trenches or “furrows” are dug between crop
rows in a field. Farmers then flow water down the furrows (often using only the force of gravity), and
the water seeps vertically and horizontally to refill the soil reservoir. Flow to each furrow is
individually controlled. Furrow irrigation is particularly suited to broad-acre row crops such as cotton,
corn, and sugar cane. It is also practiced in various horticultural industries such as citrus fruits and
tomatoes. Furrow irrigation is one of the oldest methods of irrigation because it is furrow irrigation is
cheap and low-tech making it particularly attractive in the developing world or places where
mechanized spray irrigation is unavailable or impractical (Garrity, 2020).

Generally, It is more effective if the spacing is increased. Accordingly, if the spacing is maintained, it is
crucial to auger bore after each watering to assess the moisture distribution. Furrow depths in low-
permeability soil can range from 20 to 30 cm. When irrigating root crops, it is critical to have furrows
that are deep enough and streams that are small enough that water does not come into contact with
the plant. Generally, furrows for row crops like cotton, tobacco, and potatoes are typically 25cm wide
and 8 to 10cm deep.
4. Wild flooding

This method of irrigation consists in turning the water onto natural slopes without much control or
prior preparation. It is usually waste of water, and unless the land is naturally smooth, the resulting
irrigation will be quite uneven. Wild flooding is used mainly for pastures and fields of native hay on
steep slopes where abundant water is available and crop values do not warrant more expensive
preparations. The efficiency of this method depends upon the depth of flooding, the size of the
stream, the rate of intake of water into the soil, and the topography of the field (CivilSeek, 2023).

The wild flooding technique is best suitable for crops or pastures that are cultivated closely. The
contour ditches excavated in free flooding techniques are mostly spaced at a distance of 20 to 30m.
This merely depends on the type of soil, type of crop, soil texture, etc. It performs well when
employed on a sloped land or an irregular land. This method is not preferred where checks, basins,
border or furrows are feasible. The initial cost of land preparation of free flooding is very less. But it
demands high labour requirements and possesses less efficiency (The Constructor, 2021).