Hydrology

METHOD OF
WATER
APPLICATION
Methods of Irrigation Water Distribution / Application
Introduction
As there is shortage of Irrigation Water availability, therefore the

available resource is being used in the most efficient and effective
manner. The following economical water use methods are commonly
applied in the field. However, each method is sites specific depending
upon the controlling of command area as well as the soil and
temperature characteristic.
1. Surface Irrigation
2. Sprinkler Irrigation
3. Sub Surface Irrigation
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1. Surface Irrigation Method

I. Furrow Method
• In this method, narrow channels or “ furrows”are dug at regular
intervals. Water from the main supply is allowed into enter
these small channels or furrows (figure below).
• Water from the furrows infiltrates into the soil and spreads
laterally to saturate the root zone of the crops. It is suitable for
row crops like potatoes, sugarcane, tobacco, maize, groundnut,
cotton, jowar, etc.
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Furrow Method
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Advantages
• Less water is required as water comes in contact of 1/5 to 1/2 of

the land surface.
• Lesser evaporation losses.
• Labour requirements for land preparation and irrigation is less.
• Minimum wastage of water.
• It is suitable for row crops.
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ii) Contour Farming

• Contour farming is practiced in hilly areas with falling contour.
The land is divided into series of horizontal strips called terraces
as shown in the figure.
• Small bunds are constructed at the end of each terrace to hold
water upto required height. Contour farming besides producing
crop yields, helps in soil conservation.
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• In this method when the strips are flooded with water,
surplus water is allowed to enter the waste channel and
allowed to discharge in the water downstream.
o Basin Flooding
• This method is used frequently to irrigate the orchards. It is a
special type of check flooding method.
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iii) Flooding Method
This method is further classified as under;
o Free Flooding
o Basin Flooding
o Check Flooding
o Free Flooding
• With the help of field channel, agricultural land is divided
into small strips as shown in figure.
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• As shown in the figure each tree (sometimes a group of trees) is
enclosed by circular channel which is called basin. Basins are
connected to small field ditches.
• Ditches are fed from the main supply channel. When the basins
are flooded, the supply is stopped. Portable pipes or large hoses
may also be used in place of ditches to flood the basin.
o Check Flooding
• In check flooding the crop area is divided into some plots which
are relatively leveled by bunds. Water from field channel is
allowed to enter to each plot or check basin and the plots are
flooded to the required depth.
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iv) Contour Laterals
• In steeper terrain, this method is useful. Small contour laterals
are constructed to divert water towards the sloping areas as
shown figure below;
• Laterals are constructed along the falling contour. Contour
intervals between two contour laterals depends on amount
required by the crops grown between two contour laterals.
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2. Sprinkler Irrigation Method
§ In this method, water is applied to the crop in the form of sprinkle
or spray with the “ combination of pump, main pipe, sub main pipe,
lateral, riser, nozzle, etc”. It is kind of artificial rainfall and therefore,
it is very fruitful for crops grown in a farm.
§ As shown in the figure below ‘ a’,‘b’and ‘ c’water is sprinkled by
perforated lateral, fixed into nozzle and rotatory sprinkled in the
crop field.
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Sprinkler Irrigation Method
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Sprinkler Irrigation Method
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Sprinkler Irrigation
§ “
This method is useful where”
;
• Surface Irrigation method is not efficient

• Slope of the crop field is higher
• Topography of the crop field is irregular
• Soil is erosive
• Soil is permeable or impermeable
• Depth of soil is shallow over gravel and sand.
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Advantages
§ Erosion of soil is avoided or controlled.
§ It is possible to apply water uniformly.
§ Irrigation of water is better controlled according to need of the crops
in their different stages of growth.
§ There is no surface run-off
§ Labour cost is less
§ Borders or ditches are not required to construct and hence, more
area can be covered.
§ Damage of crop due to frost is reduced.
§ It is a standby drainage pumping set.
§ It can be used even with high water table.
§ It is useful for crops with shallow root crops requiring high and
frequent irrigation.
§ Seepage loss like earthen canal are eliminated.
§ Water is applied at the rate smaller than infiltration capacity of soil.
§ Fertilizers can be uniformly applied by mixing with water.
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Limitations
Although this method has number of advantages, yet it has some
limitations.
§ Wind may disturb or distort sprinkling pattern.
§ A constant water supply is needed for commercial use of

equipment.
§ Water is to be clean and free from sand.
§ Heavy soil with pore intake cannot be irrigated efficiently.
§ Areas with higher temperature increase evaporation loss.
§ They are not suitable for crops requiring frequent and deep
water depth.
§ It requires high electrical power.

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3. Sub Surface Irrigation (Drip or Trickle Irrigation)
§ Sprinkler irrigation is not suitable in the region of high temperature,
high wind velocity and low humidity due to excessive loss by
evaporation. In such regions drip or trickle irrigation is most
suitable.
§ This method consists of carrying the irrigation water through pipe
and water is allowed to drip or trickle in the root zone of the crops
under low pressure.
§ Two different pipes are used in this method. A perforated plastic
pipe is laid along the ground at the base of a row of crops or plants.
The perforations are designed to emit a trickle (about 5 litres/h) and
spaced to produce a wetted strip along the crop row.
§ In the second system, irrigation water is conveyed through a large
feeder pipe below the ground and is allowed to drip at the root zone
of the crop slowly through nozzle or orifice practically at low
pressure. Thus root zone is kept constantly wet.
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Components of Drip Irrigation
Components of Drip Irrigation
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation
Advantages of Drip Irrigation
§ Excellent control of water is possible as water can be applied at the
rate to the consumptive use of water.
§ Evaporation from soil is reduced to minimum.
§ Deep percolation of water is entirely eliminated.
§ Nutrients can be applied directly to plant roots by adding liquid
fertilizer to the water.
§ Although initial cost is high, maintenance and labour may be low
once the system is set up.
§ It is the best method of reclaiming desert areas.
§ Soil erosion and tail water loss do not take place.
§ Less requirement of water as loss is minimum.
§ Insect and pest combating chemical can be directly applied in the
root zone.
§ Water is carried through small diameter pipe, and hence,

considerable saving in land increases the net irrigable area.
§ Variation of water application rate according to stages of growth of
the plants is possible.
§ Method is specially suitable for cash crops like vegetables, fruits,
tabacco and cotton etc.
§ Due to control of supply, water logging is avoided.
Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation
§ Heavy rainfall may push downwards the accumulated salts at the edge
of wetted zone. This may affect the crop growth if this salt comes to the
root zone.
§ Dripper or nozzle blockage is likely to occur by soil particles, as the size

of nozzle varies from 0.5 to 2 mm.
§ Due to high initial cost, farmers normally do not prefer this method.
§ It is only suitable for close growing crops like vegetables etc.
§ Plastic pipes used are of low durability, therefore, there is a need for
frequent replacement.
§ Frequent change of trickle lines are necessary as spacing of nozzle is

different for types of crops.
Benefits of Irrigation
I. Improving Agriculture Production.
II. Enhance Corp Yield
III. Prosperity of Farmers
IV. Source of Revenue
V. Hydropower Generation
VI. Providing Water Supply Facilities
VII. Improving Communication
VIII. Navigation
IX. Development of Fishery
X. Tree Plantation
XI. Increasing Ground Water Level
XII. Recreations
XIII. Social and Cultural Improvement
XIV. Self Sufficiency in Food
Dis-Advantages
I. Negative Impact on Water Table
II. Loss of Valuable Land
III. Poor Returns of Revenue
IV. Damp Climate
V. Social Injustice

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Hydrology

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METHOD OF

As there is shortage of Irrigation Water availability, therefore the

1. Surface Irrigation Method

• Less water is required as water comes in contact of 1/5 to 1/2 of

• Lesser evaporation losses.

• Labour requirements for land preparation and irrigation is less.

• Minimum wastage of water.

• It is suitable for row crops.

ii) Contour Farming

• Surface Irrigation method is not efficient

§ Wind may disturb or distort sprinkling pattern.

§ A constant water supply is needed for commercial use of

§ Water is to be clean and free from sand.

§ Heavy soil with pore intake cannot be irrigated efficiently.

§ Areas with higher temperature increase evaporation loss.

§ It requires high electrical power.

§ Water is carried through small diameter pipe, and hence,

§ Dripper or nozzle blockage is likely to occur by soil particles, as the size

§ It is only suitable for close growing crops like vegetables etc.

§ Frequent change of trickle lines are necessary as spacing of nozzle is

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