SURFACE IRRIGATION
SURFACE IRRIGATION
- water is applied
directly to the soil
from a channel
located at the upper
reach of the field
METHODS OF SURFACE IRRIGATION
• Free flood method
• Furrow method
• Check and furrow method
• Border or check basin irrigation
• Border strip method of irrigation
• Ring / Ring Basin Method
FREE FLOOD METHOD
- is a common
method of irrigation of
wetland rice where
water may be
applied as a
continuous flood,
rotational flood or an
intermittent flood
FREE FLOOD METHOD
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
1. No other field layout 1. It is the most inefficient
become necessary except the methods of irrigation as only
levelling and preparation of about 20 per cent of water is
impervious boundary bunds. actually used by plants and
the rest is being lost as run off,
2. No land area is utilized for
seepage and evaporation.
water distribution. As a result,
wastage of land becomes 2. Levelling of land increases
minimum. cost of cultivation.
3. Labor supervision is required 3. This method is unsuitable for
for application of water in the crops that are sensitive to
field. water logging.
4. Labor requirement is 4. Crop growth is not uniform
minimum. as the water distribution by this
method is very uneven.
FURROW METHOD
- suitable for row
crops like potato
cabbage, cauliflower,
brinjal, chilli,
sugarcane, cotton,
tobacco, tomato etc.
water is applied in the
furrows which are
developed between
crop rows in the
planting and
cultivating processes
FURROW METHOD
Advantages Disadvantages
1. There is a great advantage in the use
of water which is of great consideration
1. Cost involved in the
in lift irrigation. preparation of furrow is more.
2. This method is suitable for crops which 2. This method is not suitable for all
are sensitive to saturated soil condition in areas, especially cannel areas.
the root zone.
3. Uniform distribution of water in
3. Water in the furrows contacts only one
fifth to one half of the land surface,
all furrows is not possible.
thereby reducing puddling, crusting of
the soil and evaporation losses.
4. Water is applied uniformly by this
method.
5. It is especially suitable to crops like
maize that are injured by contact with
water as water does not come in
contact with the plant stem.
6. The method reduces labor
requirements in land preparation and
irrigation.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF FURROW IRRIGATION
a) Straight furrow method of irrigation: This method is practiced in flat lands.
b) Contour furrow method of irrigation: This method is practiced in sloping
land in which the direction of flow is across a slope rather than down slope.
The furrows are laid out with a gentle uniform grade to carry the irrigation
streams.
c) Corrugated furrow irrigation: Corrugations are small furrows which are
used for close growing crops such as beet, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip,
etc. In this system more and smaller furrows are utilized and crop rows are
not necessarily related to the irrigation furrows. The size and spacing of
corrugation vary with the soil. The corrugation should be more closely
spaced, generally 45 to 90cm.
CHECK AND FURROW
METHOD
- a modified form
of furrow
irrigation
- suitable for a
land which is
quite levelled
CHECK AND FURROW METHOD
Advantages Disadvantages
1. Water is applied uniformly 1. Uneven distribution of water
and the wastage of water in the different furrows,
minimum. There is less 2. The method is only suitable
evaporative loss from furrows. for row crops.
2. Soil gets sufficient time to 3. Irrigation cost is higher as it
absorb water. involves much labor.
3. It is a very suitable method 4. More time is required for
for irrigating row crops in level irrigation.
land
4. Soil erosion is checked.
BORDER OR CHECK
BASIN IRRIGATION
- the field is divided into
smaller unit areas or beds
measuring 10 to 100 sq
meter or even more.
Bunds or ridges are
constructed around the
areas forming basin within
which irrigation water may
be controlled. The basins
are levelled in both
directions. Small irrigation
channels are provided
between two adjacent
rows of beds.
BORDER OR CHECK BASIN IRRIGATION
Advantages Disadvantages
1. It is more efficient method of 1. There are too many ridges which
irrigation arid ensures uniform occupy the larger area of land. It
application of water. involves the wastage of land.
2. It has good control on irrigation 2. Lay out requirement in land
water and high-water application preparation and irrigation is much
efficiency. bigger in check basin irrigation as
compared to other methods.
3. Though the Initial cost is high, it
requires less labor and has low 3. Repairing of ridges and careful
maintenance cost. supervision during irrigation is needed.
4. Wastage of water and soil erosion is 4. Uneven distribution of water within
reduced as there is bund around the the plot.
basin.
5. The method impedes surface
drainage, precise land grading and
shaping are required.
BORDER STRIP METHOD
IRRIGATION
The field is divided into a
number of long parallel (3-
10 ni x 50-30() m) strips
which is called border. The
border is separated with
small parallel low ridges on
the sides. The individual
strips are levelled perfectly
and each strip is irrigated
independently by turning
a stream of water at the
upper elevation. The water
can flow down the slope
with nearly uniform depth.
BORDER STRIP METHOD IRRIGATION
Advantages Disadvantages
1. It is the best method to irrigate 1. More labor is required for
close growing crops. levelling of the field.
2. Uniform distribution and high 2. Ridges cut down the neat
water application efficiencies are cropped area.
possible if the system is properly
3. Large irrigation streams are
designed.
required.
3. Labor requirement is less to
4. Repair of ridges and supervision
irrigate the field.
during irrigation are needed.
4. Operation of this system is
simple and easy.
5. Excess rainwater is drained out
if outlets are available.
RING / RING BASIN
METHOD
- a basin is made around
the stump of the plant at a
distance of about 30 -60
cm which may be square,
rectangular or circular in
shape. The individual plant
or plant grown in pit is
irrigated by this method.
The soil around the plant is
soaked with irrigation
water and not the entire
land.
RING / RING BASIN METHOD
Advantages Disadvantages
1. It is a good method for 1. Initial cost for preparing
irrigating orchard plants and basin is high.
also for all types of soil 2. This method is not suitable
2. It is an efficient method in for irrigating field crops and
the use of water. some orchard plants such as
banana, papaya, pineapple
3. This method economize the
etc.
water considerably.
3. All plants do not get same
amount of water.
