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An irrigation system is a device that delivers water or other liquids to plants. It can be used with a hose and sprinkler set or may deliver water using pipes underground. Irrigation systems help ensure that plant roots get the water they need even during extreme weather or drought conditions when ground moisture cannot be maintained naturally. This can prevent damage to plants and minimize problems such as browning leaves and molds on vegetables, wilt in fruits, and cracks in cut flowers from dehydration.
Irrigation systems are highly variable.
What is Irrigation?
The process of watering crops is called irrigation.
The most common way to irrigate crops is the flood irrigation system. The water usually comes from the rivers, lakes, dams, ponds, reservoirs, and even dams by pumping, which needs a lot of energy and money. After the irrigation water reaches a field, it quickly spreads through it and floods it.
Irrigation System in Agriculture
In agriculture, irrigation systems distribute the water over a field or a crop. The primary goal of the irrigation system is usually to prevent the water from running off or evaporating while storing excess water for later use. Irrigation systems in agriculture can be as simple as a single pipe with holes poked in it (known as a “drip irrigation system”), or they may be as complex as pumping stations and storage lakes.
Since most irrigation systems require water pressure. Homeowners must ensure that their system remains functional even if the main water supply is cut off or temporarily disrupted. To avoid this, many homeowners keep a full rain barrel in case of emergency.
An overhead sprinkler will reach between and to the curbside.
A soaker hose exists in various diameters and with different lengths. Soaker hoses are generally available in 1/2″ and 5/8″ inch diameter. Most gardeners use the 1/2″ inch size because this fits as a standard garden hose.
A drip irrigation system is usually connected by underground polyethylene pipes and a perforated outlet near the base of the plants. Drip irrigation systems use less water than many other irrigation systems, allowing for more efficient water use in times of drought or scarce resources. This method is also useful on slopes where gravity can be used to move the water down to the roots of plants.
A micro-irrigation system uses emitters that can be placed closer to drip tape, resulting in a decreased cost per acre.
Irrigated Areas
The amount and type of water used for irrigated agriculture can be quite substantial. The amount of water used by a single-family home may only be several gallons. However, the size of cities and countries can vary from several million to several billion gallons. Unsustainable irrigation is also a significant contributor to world hunger and malnutrition. In many parts of the world, people lack access to basic sanitation but have access to good irrigation facilities, fertilizers, and good soil for growing crops. Without irrigation, farms get nothing more than a part-time job.
Some Common Types of Irrigation Systems
The type and kind of irrigation system can vary based on the source and environmental conditions where it is applied.
Drip Irrigation System
The drip irrigation system is a type of irrigation method where the water is delivered to the root zones of plants by perforated pipes.
Drip irrigation systems are used widely in agricultural applications and commercial horticulture. Many fruits and vegetables can only be grown using special equipment for pruning, thinning, spraying, and harvesting. The equipment needed for these operations may use drip tube irrigation similar to the drip system used on golf courses to protect from frost damage due to freezing temperatures at night.
Wet or Flood Irrigation
In wet or flood irrigation, the entire soil surface is saturated. This can be accomplished by open ditches and furrows, rivers, and reservoirs. It is the most common form of sprinkler irrigation. Flood irrigation provides an even water application over an entire field. Still, it results in runoff losses due to excess water applied to fields with low infiltration capabilities, such as steep slopes and small areas. Overhead irrigation also results in excessive evaporation losses during hot weather.
Sprinkler Irrigation System
This is the most common form of sprinkler irrigation. The water may be applied from a single source or by sprinklers placed at different points on a given field. When this system is used, water runs off the field until it reaches the sprinkler heads or wetting nozzles. The application is not uniform, and overarches can cause erosion on long slopes where spray from the sprinklers follows rainfall onto an adjacent field.
Conclusion
Irrigation is a method used to transfer water from one location to another. It is also used for watering garden plants and crops. An irrigation system uses pipes, valves, sprinklers, or low-flow sprayers and controllers. The goal of an irrigation system is to prevent the loss of water through evaporation or runoff. The primary goal of the irrigation system is usually to prevent the water from running off or evaporating while storing excess water for later use. The irrigation system needs to distribute water over a large area evenly. There should be no puddles or dry areas in the field.
