In agriculture, farmers can use rain to water their crops. Since
the weather can be unpredictable at times, especially with climate change, it’s
hard to say when it will rain. That leaves farmers with no choice but to rely
on Irrigation to help cultivate their crops.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows what or how to use it.
Below are need-to-know facts, as well as the different types of
irrigation systems that a farmer, gardener, or anyone in the same line of work
should know about.
Defining Irrigation and its
Importance
Irrigation
involves the process of artificially applying water to crops to fulfil their
water requirements to survive, rather than relying on rain. Water can be
supplied through sprinklers, pipes, sprays, pumps, canals, and other human-made
means or features. To put it simply, this is an advanced water system method
that stands as an alternative for rain-fed farming.
It fulfils the crop’s water requirements, which is essential for
it to grow. At the same time, it gives plants the nutrients it needs for growth
and development. It also helps achieve high yields by allowing penetration of
roots in dry fields.
There are several important reasons for irrigating. Mainly, it offers a secure and consistent water supply for
crops. It is also proven that irrigated land tends to be more productive as
they have higher crop yields than un-irrigated land.
The amount of water needed, frequency and watering rate are
dependent on various factors, including crop type and season. Aside from that,
there are also different types of irrigation systems to consider.
The Types of Irrigation Systems
There are several types of irrigation systems a farmer can
use.
- Sprinkler Irrigation
This
water system involves water being supplied overhead provided by the sprinklers,
simulating natural rainfall. Through the pipes, the water is sprinkled to the crops
like downpour from the spray heads. The system is also operated in a way that
assures that the water is uniformly applied. This type of system is useful for
both large and small farms and is suitable for any slope.
This is
also used to irrigate golf courses, lawns, landscapes, and crops, as well as
residential, industrial, and agricultural purposes.
- Drip Irrigation
A drip
system is arguably one of the most popular system types for irrigating. This is
the process of delivering water near the plant’s roots. This is one of the most
efficient water systems as it hydrates your plants by the roots without needing
to water the surface. As a result, it also helps you save water.
- Surface Irrigation
This is
undoubtedly one of the most affordable water systems. It is an old technique
and doesn’t exactly use any sophisticated technology to work. This system
relies on gravity flow in distributing water. It works best in soil that has
fine texture and minimum to medium infiltration rate.
- Subsurface Irrigation
As the
name implies, this system can water plants below the ground. Pipes are placed
beneath the surface of the soil to supply water. This system saves water and
reduces water loss through evaporation.
With climate change, it’s crucial to have a reliable water system
you can depend on rather than entirely relying on rain. Consider all the
essential factors such as soil type, slope, and climate before choosing the
type of irrigating system you will go for.
