Irrigation is basically a process of applying water to the agricultural crops in the field to compensate for inadequate rain water.
It is mainly carried out in farms for various reasons that range from lack of adequate water in the soil to a seasonal need to increase applied water for better harvests.
There are several irrigation systems with some dating back to the ancient time before agricultural revolution, learn here about some of the irrigation systems that is commonly used today.
Surface Irrigation
This type of irrigation system has commonly been applied for a long time historically and is still being used up to date.
The agricultural field is flooded with water that is controlled by dykes at the source or just pumped by a generator.
The land surface is usually divided into furrows for the water to fill the field and is commonly used in rice fields where the rice requires swampy like conditions for a good yield.
Drip Irrigation
Like the name suggests, a drip irrigation system irrigates the roots of the crop by allowing water to drip through a small nozzle created at the distribution pipes.
The system can easily be regulated to improve its efficiency through the usage of computers and is simply done by controlling the pressure of water in the pipe so that the delivery rate is accurate for water absorption by the roots.
Center Pivot Irrigation
This is a type of sprinkler irrigation system that has many segments of galvanized pipe supported by a truss.
This irrigation system structure is supported by the pivot hub and on the other side it has been fixed with wheels that will enable the system to move in a circular motion.
Sprinklers are located along the systems length and fed water from the pivot hub by the pipes and can be used on any land terrain over the world.
This irrigation system also requires that the plants be planted in a circular arrangement so that irrigation can take place easily.
The pivots nowadays have been replaced with electric motors or hydraulic system that helps in powering them.
In-ground Irrigation
For this type of irrigation, every part of the system is hidden in the ground.
The sprinkler, emitters, valves, and pipes are buried in the soil; the irrigation system presents a clear field but can become a challenge during maintenance of the system.
This irrigation system is divided into zones to enable water to be pumped with enough pressure into the soil.
The irrigation is controlled based on the weather pattern of the place and moisture sensors in the soil so that irrigation takes place at a given time interval.
Weather satellites can also be used by in-ground irrigation systems thus enhancing water efficiency.
In Summary
Irrigation systems come in many different types; the important thing to remember is that there is an irrigation system available to fit the contours of your land and the climate where it is planted!