IRRIGATION

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land or soil to support plant growth,
crop production and to maintain optimal soil moisture

SPRINKLE IRRIGATION

In the sprinkler method of irrigation, water is sprayed into the air and allowed to fall on
the ground surface somewhat resembling rainfall. The spray is developed by the flow of
water under pressure through small orifices or nozzles. The pressure is usually obtained
by pumping. With careful selection of nozzle sizes, operating pressure and sprinkler
spacing the amount of irrigation water required to refill the crop root zone can be
applied nearly uniform at the rate to suit the infiltration rate of soil.

ADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLE IRRIGATION

1. Crop Advantages

1. Increased crop yields: Sprinkle irrigation can increase crop yields by up to

20% due to improved water availability.
2. Improved crop quality: Uniform water distribution ensures that crops receive
the right amount of water, improving quality..
3. Enhanced seed germination and root growth: Sprinkle irrigation ensures
optimal soil moisture for seed germination and root growth.

2. Water Saving Advantages.

 Uniform water distribution: Sprinkle irrigation ensures that water is

distributed evenly throughout the field, reducing waste and runoff.
 Reduced evaporation loss: By applying water directly to the soil, sprinkle
irrigation reduces evaporation loss by up to 30%.

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  Lower runoff and deep percolation losses: Sprinkle irrigation reduces runoff
and deep percolation losses by applying water at a rate that allows it to
infiltrate the soil.
 Improved water use efficiency: Sprinkle irrigation can improve water use
efficiency by up to 80% compared to traditional flood irrigation.

3. Soil Advantages

 Improved soil structure and fertility: Uniform water distribution improves

soil structure and fertility.
 Increased soil water-holding capacity: Sprinkle irrigation increases soil
water-holding capacity, reducing drought stress.
 Reduced soil erosion: Sprinkle irrigation reduces soil erosion by minimizing
runoff.

DISADVANTAGES OF SPRINKLE IRRIGATION

1. Not suitable in windy conditions because it may cause issues like;

 Wind drift: Wind can drift water droplets away from the target area, reducing
irrigation efficiency.
 Uneven distribution: Wind can disrupt the uniform distribution of water, leading
to overwatering in some areas and under watering in others.
 Evaporation loss: Wind can increase evaporation loss, reducing the amount of
water available to crops.
 Spray breakdown: Wind can break down the spray pattern, reducing the
effectiveness of the irrigation system.

2. Operating Cost: Sprinkle irrigation can be energy-intensive and costly to operate,

as it requires a constant supply of pressurized water to create the necessary spray

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pattern. This can result in high operating cost and increased energy consumption
compare to other irrigation method

3. Crop Damage: Sprinkle irrigation can damage crops in several ways:

 Overwatering: If the sprinkler system is not properly managed and delivers too
much water to the crops, it can lead to water logging and suffocation of the
roots. Excessive moisture can also promote the growth of fungal diseases, such as
root rot and mildew, which can harm the crops.
 Poor distribution: Uneven distribution of water from sprinklers can result in some
areas of the field receiving too much water while others receive too little. This
can lead to stunted growth, wilting, and reduced crop yields.
 Soil compaction: The force of the water sprayed from sprinklers can cause soil
compaction, especially if the soil is wet. Compacted soil restricts root growth and
makes it difficult for plants to access nutrients and oxygen, ultimately harming
their health and productivity.

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FURROW IRRIGATION

Furrow irrigation is a surface irrigation method where water flows through shallow
channels (furrows) between crop rows, infiltrating the soil to supply water to the roots
or 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.

The furrow method of irrigation is used in the irrigation of row crops with furrows
developed between the crop rows in the planting and cultivating process.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS OF FURROW IRRIGATION

1. Furrow spacing: Furrows should be spaced close enough to ensure that water
spreads to the sides into the ridge and root zone of the crop to replenish the soil
moisture uniformly
2. Furrow length: The optimum length of a furrow in usually the longest furrow that
can be safely and efficiently irrigated. Long furrows are an advantage in inter-
cultivation. If the length is too long, water soaks in too deep at the head of the
furrow by the time the stream reaches the lower end. This results in the over-
irrigation at the upper end or under-irrigation at the lower end.
3. Furrow slope: The slope or grade of the furrow is important because it controls
the speeds at which water flows down the furrow. As the furrow grade increase,
the rate of infiltration slows down and the side spread of water into the crop
ridge decrease, so that, wastage may occur at the end of the furrows.
4. Soil type: The soil type is crucial in furrow irrigation because it direct affect the
infiltration rate and water holding capacity. The soil texture and structure
influence water infiltration rate, for a land were sandy soil is much, the

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 infiltration rate will be high and the water holding capacity will be low, this kind
of land is not suitable for furrow irrigation system
5. Furrows stream: To obtain the most uniform irrigation, the largest stream of
water that will not cause erosion is used in each furrow at the beginning of
irrigation. Its purpose is to wet the entire length of each furrow as quickly as
possible, thus enabling the soil to absorb water evenly through the entire furrow
length. After the water reached the lower end of a furrow, the stream is reduced
or cut back so that it will just keep the furrow wet throughout its length with a
minimum waste at the end

ADVANTAGES OF FURROW IRRIGATION

1. Low capital cost

2. There is no wastage of land in field ditches
3. Effective for row crops (e.g., corn, sugarcane)
4. Promotes deep root growth

DISADVANTAGES OF FURROW IRRIGATION

1. Water loss through evaporation and runoff

2. Requires accurate water control
3. May lead to soil erosion
4. Experience needed to divert water to furrows