1.5.

Types of Irrigation

Irrigation may broadly be classified into :

1. Surface irrigation ; and 2. Sub-surface irrigation
(1) Surface irrigation can be further classified into :
(a) Flow irrigation ; and (b) Lift inigation.
When the water is available at a higher level, and it is supplied to lower level, by
the mere action of gravity, then it is called Flow Irrigation. But, if the water is lifted up
by some mechanical or manual means, such as by pumps, etc. and then supplied for
irrigation, then it is called Lift Irrigation. Use of wells and tubewells for supplying
irrigation water fall under this category of irrigation.
Flow irrigation can be furthersub-divided into-:
(i) Perennial irrigation, and
(ii) Flood irrigation.
(i) Perennial Irrigation. In perennial system of irrigation, constant and continuous
water supply is assured to the crops in accordance with the requirements of the crop,
throughout the 'crop period'. In this system of irrigation, water is supplied through
storage canal head works and canal distribution system.
When irrigation is done from the direct runoff of a river, or by diverting the river
runoff into some canal by constructing a diversion weir or a barrage across •the river, it
is called Direct Irrigation. Ganga Canal System is an example of this type of irrigation.
But, if a dam is constructed across a river to store water during monsoons, so as to
supply water in the off-taking channels during periods of low flow, then it is termed as
Storage Irrigation. Ram-Ganga Dam project in U.P. is an example of storage type of
irrigation system. In the regions of peninsula India, where rivers are generally seasonal,
storage irrigation is an absolute necessity, whereas, in Indo-gangetic region, direct
irrigation is feasible, since the rivers are perennial, getting their supplies from the
melting of snow. Direct irrigation is always simple, easy and economical. The perennial
system of irrigation, is most important and is mostly practised in India.
(ii) Flood Irrigation. This kind of irrigation, is sometimes called as inundation
irrigation. In this method of irrigation, soil is kept submerged and thoroughly flooded
with water, so as to cause thorough saturation of the• land. The moisture soaked by the
soil, when occasionally supplemented by natural rainfall or minor waterings, brings the
crop to maturity.
(2) Sub-surface Irrigation. It is termed as sub-surface irrigation, because in this
type of irrigation, water does not wet the soil surface. The underground water nourishes
the plant roots by capillarity. It may be divided into the following two types :
(a) Natural sub-irrigation ; and
(b) Artificial sub-irrigation.
(a) Natural sub-irrigation. Leakage water from channels, etc., goes underground,
and during passage through the sub-soil, it may irrigate crops, sown On lower lands,
capillarity. Sometimes, leakage causes. the water-table to rise up, which helps in irriga-
tion of crops by capillarity. When underground irrigation is achieved, simply by natural
processes, without any additional extra efforts, it is called natural sub-irrigation.
(b) Artificial sub-irrigation. When a system of open jointed drains is artificially laid
below the soil, so as to supply water to the crops by capillarity, then it is known as
artificial sub-irrigation. It is a very costly process and hence, adopted in India on a very
small scale. It may be recommended only in some special cases with favourable soil
conditions and for cash crops of very high return. Sometimes, irrigation water may be
intentionally collected in some ditches near the fields, the percolation water may then
come up to the roots through capillarity.

1.6. Techniques of Water Distribution in

There are various. ways in which the irrigation water can be applied to the fields.
Their main classification is as follows
(I) Free flooding
(3) Check flooding
(5) Furrow irrigation method
(7) Drip irrigation method.
(2) Border flooding
(4) Basin flooding
(6) Sprinkler irrigation method

(1 ) Free flooding or Ordinary flooding. In this method, ditches are excavated in the field,
and they may be either on the contour or up and down the slope. Water from these ditches,
flows across the field. After the water leaves the ditches, no attempt .is made to .control the flow
by means of levees, etc. Since the movement of water is not restricted, it is sometimes calléd
wild flooding. Although the initial cost of land preparation is low„ labour re- quirements are
usually high and water application efficiency is also low. Wild flooding, is most suitable for close
growing crops, pastures, etc., particularly where the land is steep. Contour ditches called
laterals or subsidiary ditches, are generally spaced at about 20 to 50 metres

(2) Border flooding. In this method, the land is divided into a number of strips,
separated by low levees called borders. Ihe land areas confined in each strip is of the
order-of ICt020_xnetresin width, _and 100. to 400 metres in length, as shown in Fig. I .2.
Ridges between borders should be sufficiently¯higil to previent -ovettopprng-during
irrigation.
To prevent water from concentrating on either side of the border, the land should be
levelled perpendicular to the flow. Water is made to flow from the supply ditch into each
strip. The water flows slowly towards the lower end, and infiltrates into the soil as it
advances. When the advancing water reaches the lower end Of the strip, the supply of water
to the strip is turned off.
The supply ditch, also called irrigation stream, may either be in the form of an
earthen channel or a lined channel or an underground concrete pipe having risers at
intervals. The size of the supply ditch depends upon the infiltration rate of the soil, and
the width of the border strip. Coarse textured soils with high infiltration rates will require
high discharge rate and therefore lacey-supply ditchein- order •to spread water over th
entire strip rapidly, and to avoid excessive losses due to deep percolation at the upper
reaches. On the other hand, fine textured soils with low infiltration rates, require smaller
ditches to avoid excessive losses due to run off at the lower reaches.
A relationship between the discharge through the supply ditch (Q), the average
depth of water flowing over the strip (y), the rate of infiltration of the soil (f), the area of the land
irrigated (A), and the approximate time required to cover the given area with
water (t), is given by the equation :

\(t = 2.3 \frac{y}{f} \log_10 (\frac{Q}{Q-fA}))

where Q = Discharge through the supply ditch
y = Depth of water flowing over the border
strip
Rate of infiltration of soil
A = Area of land strip to be irrigated
Time required to cover the given area A.

(3) Check flooding. Check flooding is similar to ordinary flooding except that the
water is controlled by surrounding the check area with low and flat levees. Levees are generally
constructed along the contours, having vertical interval of about 5 to IO cm.
These levees are connected with cross-levees at convenient places as shown in Fig. I .4,
The confined plot area varies from 0.2 to 0.8 hectare. In check flooding, the check is filled with
water at a fairly high rate and allowed to
stand until the water infiltrates.
This method is suitable for more permeable soils as well as for less permeable soils.
The water can be quickly spread in case of high permeable soils, thus reducing the
heldon .thesurfacefor a-longentjme in case
of less permeable soils, for assuring adequate penetration. These checks, are sometimes
used to absorb water, where the stream-flow is diverted during periods of high run off.

(4) Basin flooding. method is a special type of check flooding and is adopted
specially for orchard trees. One or more trees are generally placed in the basin, and the
surface is flooded as in check method, by ditch water, as shown in Fig. 1.5.

(5) Furrow irrigation method. In flooding methods, described above, water covers
the entire surface; while in furrow irrigation method
results in less evaporatipn, less
pudding of soil, and permits cultivation sooner after irrigation.
Furrows are narrow field ditches, excavated between rows of plants and carry
irrigation water through them. Spacing of furrows is determined by the proper spacing
Of the plants. Furrows vary from 8 to 30 cm deep, and may be as much as 400 metres
Long.
Excessive long furrows may result in too much percolation near the upper end, and
too little water near the down-slope end. Deep furrows are widely used for row crops.
Small shallow furrows called corrugations, are particularly suitable for relatively ir-
regular topography and close growing crops, such as meadows and small grains.
Water may be diverted into the furrows by an opening in the bank of the supply
ditch or preferably by using a rubber hose tubing, which can be primed by immersion
in the ditch. The use of hose, prevents the necessity of breaking the ditch bank. And provides a
uniform flow into the furrow. Fig. 1.7 shows such different devices which
are used for distributing water into the fields from the supply ditch.

(6) Sprinkler irrigation method. In this farm-water application method, water is

applied to the soil in the form of a spray through a network of pipes and pumps. It is a
kind of an artificial rain and, therefore, gives very good results. It is a costly process
and widely used in U.S.A. It can be used for all types of soils and for widely different
topographies and slopes. It can advantageously be used for many crops, because it fulfils
the normal requirement of uniform distribution of water. This method possesses great
potentialities for irrigating areas in Rajasthan in India, where other types of
s b.surface-irrigation are—ery difficult.
Inspite of •the numerous advantages which this method possesses over the other
methods, it has not become popular in India for the simple reason that ours is a poor
and a developing nation. This method is not only costly but requires a lot of tech-
nicalities. The correct design and efficient operation are very; important for the success
of this method. Special steps have to be taken for preventing entry of silt and debris;
which are very harmful for the sprinkler equipment. Debris-choke nozzles, interfere with

the application of. water on the land : while the abrasive action o t causes excessiv
wear on pump impellers, sprinkler nozzles, and bearings. The system is to be designed
in such a way that the entire sprayed water seeps into the soil, and there is no run off
from the irrigated area.
The conditions favouring the adoption of this method, are :
(i) When the land topography is irregular, and hence unsuitable for surface irriga-
tion.
(ii) When the land gradient is steeper, and soil is easily erodible.
(iii) When the land soil is excessively permeable, so as not to permit good water
distribution by surface irrigation ; or when the soil is highly impermeable.
(iv) When the watertable is high.
(v) When the area is such that the seasonal water requirement is •Iow. such as near
the coasts.
(vi) When the crops to be grown are Such :
(a) as to require humidity control, as in tobacco ;
(b) crops having shallow roots ; or
high and frequent irrigation.
water is available with difficulty and is scarce.

Types of sprinkler systems. A sprinkler system can be classified under three heads
as :
1. Permanent system ;
2. Semi-permanent system ; and
3. Portable system.

Earlier, the fixed over-head perforated pipe installations were being used for
sprinkler network; but with the advent of light weight steel pipes and quick couplers,
portable systems have been designed.
In permanent system, pipes are permanently buried in such a way that they do not
interfere with the farnung operations. In the semipermanent system, the main lines are
buried in the ground, while the laterals are portable. In the portable system, the mains
as well as laterals are portable. These portable networks can be moved from farm to
farm.
In the sprinkler irrigation network, we have the mains and the sub-mains, through
which water under pressure is made to flow. Revolving sprinkler heads are then usually
mounted on rising pipes attached to the laterals. The water jet comes out through the
revolving sprinkler heads, with force. When sprinkler heads are not provided, perfora-
tions are made in the pipes, and they are provided with nozzles, through which water
jets out and falls on the ground. Generally, such a perforated pipe system operates at
low heads ; whereas, the revolving head sprinklers operate on high as well as low heads,
depending upon the type of rotary head used.
The advantages of sprinkler irrigation are enumerated below •
(i) Seepage losses, which occur in earthen channelS of surface irrigation methods,
are completely eliminated. Moreover, only optimum quantity of water is used in this
method.
(ii) Land levelling is not required, and thus avoiding removal of top fertile soil, as
happens in other surface irrigation methods.
(iii) No cultivation area is lost for making ditches, as happens in surface irrigation
methods. It, thus, results in increasing about 16% Of the cropped area.
(iv) In sprinkler system, the water is to be applied at a rate lesser than the infiltration
capacity of the soil, and thus avoiding surface run off, and its bad effects, such as loss
of water, washing of top soil, etc.
(v) Fertilisers can be uniformly applied, because they are mixed with irrigation
water itself.
(vo This method leaches down salts and prevents water-logging or salinity.
(vii) It is less labour oriented, and hence,useful where labour is costly and,scarce.
(viii) Upto 80% efficiency can be achieved, i.e. upto 80% of applied water can be
stored in the root zone of plants.
The limitations p! sprinklerirrigation are_alsmenumerated below :
(i) High winds may distort sprinkler pattern, causing non-uniform spreading of
water on the crops.
(ii) In areas of high temperature and high wind velocity, considerable evaporation
losses of water may take place.
(iii) They are not suited to crops requiring frequent and larger depths of irqigation, such as
paddy.
(iv) Initial cost of the system is very high, and the system requires a high technical
skill.
(v) Only sand and silt free water can be used, as otherwise pump impellers lifting
such waters will get damaged.
(Vt) It requires larger electrical power.
(vii) Heavy soil with poor intake cannot be irrigated efficiently.
(viii) A constant water supply is needed for commercial use of equipment.
Note. The widely known Indian Commercial Company which specialises in install-
ing sprinkler irrigation systems, is "Premier Irrigation Equipments (Pvt. Ltd.), Calcutta,"
with its Delhi office also. This firm and its publications can be referred to, for specialised
knowledge in this branch Of field irrigation.

(7) Drip Irrigation Method. Drip irrigation, also called trickle irrigation, is, the
latest field irrigation technique, and is meant for adoption at places where there exists
acute scarcity of irrigation water and Other salt problems. In this method, water is slowly
and direcdy applied to the root zone of the plants, thereby minimising the losses by
evaporation and percolation.
This system involves laying of a' system of head, mains, sub-mains, laterals, and
drop nozzles. Water oozes out of these Small drip nozzzles uniformly and at a very small
rate, directly into the plant roots area.
The head consists of a pump to lift water, so as to produce the desired pressure of
about 2.5 atmosphere, for ensuring proper flow of water through the system. The liftfd
irrigation water is passed through a fertiliser tank, so as to mix the fertiliser directly ip
the irrigation water, and then through filter, so as to remove the suspended particles
from the watery-to-avoid. clogging-of:drip-nozzl
The mains and sub-mains are the specially designed small sized pipes, made of
flexible material like black PVC. These are generally buried or laid on the ground, as
shown in Fig. 1.9. Their sizes should be sufficient to carry the design discharge of the
system.
The laterals are very small sized (usually I to 1.25 cm dia.), specially designed,
black PVC pipes, taking off from the mains or sub-mains, Laterals can usually be up to
50 m long, and one lateral line is laid for each row of crop. Hardie Biwall is a patented
name of a special dual chambered micro tubing, manufactured from a linear low density
polyethylene, and is' being used these days for laterals.
The drip nozzles, also called emitters, •or valves, are fixed on laterals, at regular
intervals-of about to-y m or so, discharging water at very small rates of the order of——
2 to IO litres per hour.
Like the sprinkler system, this method also involves specialised
not being adopted by our ordinary farmers. This method, is however, being used for
small nurseries, orchards, or gardens. The widely known Commercial Indian Company,
which specialises'in this field irrigation method, is known as "Jain Irrigation Systems
Ltd., Jalgaon' i (Post Box No. 20), Pin Code : 425001. This firm can be contacted in
special needs-for layout of such an irrigation system.