10.3 Irrigation and drainage management

Irrigation methods play a crucial role in soil management, affecting crop growth and soil health. From surface flooding to micro-irrigation, each technique has unique impacts on water distribution, soil salinity, and nutrient leaching. Understanding these effects is key to optimizing irrigation practices.

Proper drainage is equally important, removing excess water to improve soil aeration and root development. By preventing waterlogging and enhancing crop productivity, effective drainage systems work hand-in-hand with irrigation to create ideal soil conditions for plant growth and farm profitability.

Irrigation Methods and Soil Management

Types of irrigation methods

Top images from around the web for Types of irrigation methods

• 

  Furrow irrigation close up | The Natural Resources Conservat… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Solid Set Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Pivot Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Furrow irrigation close up | The Natural Resources Conservat… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Solid Set Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Types of irrigation methods

• 

  Furrow irrigation close up | The Natural Resources Conservat… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Solid Set Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Pivot Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Furrow irrigation close up | The Natural Resources Conservat… | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Solid Set Irrigation System - 1 | Soil Science | Flickr View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Surface irrigation methods flood fields with water
  • Flood irrigation inundates entire field uniformly
  • Furrow irrigation channels water between crop rows
  • Basin irrigation confines water within level plots (rice paddies)
• Sprinkler irrigation systems spray water through pressurized nozzles
  • Center pivot rotates around central point covering circular area
  • Linear move travels in straight line across rectangular fields
  • Solid set uses fixed sprinklers for permanent crops (orchards)
• Micro-irrigation techniques deliver water directly to plant roots
  • Drip irrigation slowly emits water through small emitters
  • Micro-sprinklers spray water in localized areas (tree crops)
• Factors affecting irrigation method selection influence efficiency
  • Soil texture and structure determine water infiltration rates
  • Crop water requirements vary by growth stage and species
  • Water availability and quality constrain irrigation options
  • Topography and field layout impact water distribution
  • Energy costs and labor availability affect economic feasibility

Irrigation effects on soil

• Soil salinity effects alter soil properties and plant growth
  • Salt accumulation in root zone reduces water uptake
  • Osmotic stress on plants inhibits nutrient absorption
  • Soil structure degradation decreases permeability
• Nutrient leaching concerns impact fertility and water quality
  • Nitrogen mobility in soil increases with excess irrigation
  • Phosphorus runoff potential rises in saturated conditions
  • Micronutrient availability changes with soil pH alterations
• Water use efficiency factors optimize irrigation management
  • Evapotranspiration rates guide water application timing
  • Soil water holding capacity determines irrigation frequency
  • Irrigation scheduling techniques match water supply to demand
  • Deficit irrigation strategies balance yield with water conservation

Drainage and Water Management

Drainage for soil management

• Types of drainage systems remove excess water
  • Surface drainage channels water away through ditches
  • Subsurface drainage (tile drainage) uses buried pipes
• Benefits of proper drainage improve soil conditions
  • Improved soil aeration enhances root respiration
  • Enhanced root development increases nutrient uptake
  • Increased nutrient availability boosts crop growth
  • Extended growing season allows earlier planting
• Waterlogging prevention maintains soil health
  • Removal of excess water prevents anaerobic conditions
  • Reduction of anaerobic conditions promotes beneficial microbes
  • Prevention of soil compaction maintains soil structure
• Crop productivity improvements result from drainage
  • Earlier planting dates extend growing season
  • Reduced crop stress increases yield potential
  • Increased yield potential enhances farm profitability

Optimization of water practices

• Irrigation scheduling techniques ensure efficient water use
  • Soil moisture monitoring guides irrigation timing
  • Weather-based scheduling adjusts for climate conditions
  • Plant-based sensing detects crop water stress
• Water conservation methods reduce water consumption
  • Deficit irrigation applies less water than crop demand
  • Regulated deficit irrigation targets specific growth stages
  • Partial root-zone drying alternates wet and dry zones
• Environmental impact mitigation protects ecosystems
  • Tailwater recovery systems recycle irrigation runoff
  • Controlled drainage manages water table levels
  • Precision irrigation technologies apply water site-specifically
• Integrated water management approaches maximize resources
  • Conjunctive use of surface and groundwater balances supply
  • Water harvesting techniques capture rainfall for later use
  • Crop selection based on water availability matches demand to supply
• Best management practices improve soil and water quality
  • Cover cropping improves soil structure and water retention
  • Conservation tillage enhances water infiltration and reduces evaporation
  • Buffer strips reduce nutrient runoff and protect waterways