Irrigation systems are a critical component of modern-day farm management optimizing crop quality and yields.
Some of the most productive crop-growing regions flourish in deserts thanks to irrigation. For example, Yuma County, Arizona, is geographically part of the Sonoran Desert. Yet Yuma County farmers harvest more than 90% of the U.S. winter lettuce and cruciferous crops from fields 100% irrigated by the Colorado River. But, because of shrinking water resources, farmers are looking to digital farm management solutions to optimize the irrigation systems they use. Modern farm management solutions like AGRIVI monitor all types of field irrigation systems, regardless of the irrigation method, irrigation service, system or irrigation technology used.
"Irrigation itself is the artificial delivery of moisture for the benefit of growing crops. Farming without irrigation is considered rainfed and is often referred to as dryland farming".
Irrigation systems, therefore, are simply the method a farmer employs to transport water from its source to their cultivated fields. Irrigation waters come from groundwater sources, such as aquifers, springs and wells, or surface water sources, such as rivers, ponds, or lakes. Modern farm management solutions like Krishi monitor all types of field irrigation systems, regardless of the irrigation method, irrigation service, system or irrigation technology used.
5 Types of Irrigation Systems Farmers Currently Employ :
- There are five main types of irrigation systems used by farmers.
- Surface Irrigation (a.k.a. as flood or furrow irrigation).
- Drip or Micro Irrigation.
- Sprinkler Irrigation.
- Center Pivot Irrigation.
- Sub-irrigation.
- Surface Irrigation Systems.
- Surface, or flood, irrigation systems are humans’ earliest irrigation method.
A surface irrigation system floods a cultivated field with runoff, typically from a water source such as a canal. Fields are graded to slope gradually (or may even be terraced) away from the water source, so the water moves through the entire area. Crops are typically mounded in parallel beds, so the water flows easily down furrows between plant roots.
Furrow irrigation differs from flood irrigation, only that irrigation installation is achieved with the use of pipes or hoses to direct the water away from the initial source.
Drip or Micro-Irrigation Systems :
In a drip or micro-irrigation system, water runs through a network of pipes laid on the ground directly next to a plant’s root zone. Slowly dripping emitters or micro-sprinkler heads delivers the water. Because a drip irrigation system delivers water so precisely, they use less water than other irrigation methods.
Drip or micro-irrigation systems don’t require much pressure to run. Therefore, they can be used with low water pressure. Drip irrigation systems are relatively new but are expanding quickly, especially in specialty crop production such as vegetables and fruit. However, farmers in areas with high iron content should avoid using drip irrigation and micro-sprinkler systems due to clogging emitters.
