UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

A
REPORT
ON
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION

PRESENTED BY

OKPARA ESTHER IFESINACHI

U2016/5010006

GROUP: FIVE

COURSE TITLE: AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION

COURSE CODE: AGR 401

LECTURER: ENGR. B.F. SASANYA

JULY, 2021
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION
Sub-surface irrigation also known as simply sub-irrigation method is the practice of applying
water to soils directly under the surface. Moisture reaches the plant roots through capillary
action.
In subsurface irrigation (or simply sub-irrigation) method, water is distributed in a series of
ditches about 0.6 & 0.9 metre deep and 0.3 metre wide having vertical sides. These ditches are
spaced 45 to 90metres apart.
Sometimes, when soil conditions are favourable for the production of cash crops (i.e;high priced
crops) on small areas, a pipe distribution system is placed in the soil well below the surface.
There are three types of subsurface irrigation which are: level basin irrigation, furrow irrigation
and border strip irrigation.
1. Level Basin Irrigation: This method is a special type of check flooding and is adopted
specifically for orchard trees. One tree is generally placed in the basin and the surface is
flooded by ditch water.
2. Furrow Irrigation: This consists of applying water to the furrow in between the rows of the
plant to be irrigated. The water reaches the root of the plants by percolation.
3. Border Strip Irrigation: In this method, the field are divided into strips which are level
across but sloping along the lengths. The width of each strip mainly depends on stream size
and land slope.

The subsurface irrigation can be classified as:

a. Natural subsurface irrigation: Leakage of water from sources of water such as streams,
lakes, ponds, canals, etc. Does underground and during the passage to the subsoil, it may
irrigate crop by capillarity
b. Artificial subsurface irrigation:.In this method, water is applied beneath the land surface
through a network of buried perforated or open jointed pipes. As water is passed under
pressure in these pipes, it comes through open points. A depth of pipes should not be less
than 40cm so that these do not cause any interference to the cultivation. Evaporation losses
are reduced. The method is expensive because of high cost of pipes and the installation. The
water used should be of good quality so the perforation does not get clogged.
The essential prerequisite for subsurface irrigation are as follows:
i. Impervious subsoil at a depth of 2 meters or more
ii. A very permeable subsoil
iii. A permeable loam or sandy loam surface soil
iv. Uniform topographic conditions
v. Moderate ground slopes.

ADVANTAGES OF SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION

 No wastage of water.
 Control over water.
 Chances of erosion of soil.
 Chances of destruction is less

DISADVANTAGES OF SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION

 Initial cost is more.
 Highly skilled man power is required.
 Highly developed technology is required.
 It is very difficult to supervise.