Irrigation and water conservation techniques

Drip IrrigationFurrow/flood irrigation

Moveable riser sprinklersCenter Pivot Irrigation

Mulching

How Does it Work?

• Drip irrigation is an irrigation method that slowly drips water to the root of the plants

• A system of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters are used to deliver this water to the roots.

Where is the System being Used?

• Drip irrigation is used in countries that have a scarce amount of water because of how efficient the method is.

• Countries such as China, India, and the U.S. use drip irrigation

Impacts?

• Environmental- Pros: Nutrients loss is minimized, high water efficiency, soil erosion is minimized. Cons: clogging, waste of water if installed incorrectly

• Economic- Pros: Less money on fertilizers, less labor means less people to pay. Cons: It is more costly than other methods.

• Cultural- Pros: You damage the soil less. Cons: Takes away jobs

Would it work for my Farm?

• Yes it would because my crop does not need much water to begin with. It would not work for big cash crops such as corn because of all the water that is necessary to grow it all.

DRIP IRRIGATIONDefinition: an irrigation system commonly used in dry areas with scarce

water resources. This process involves exposing roots to a direct supply of water through the use of drip emitters arranged in rows. Such emitters are

connected to a water source by a feeder hose.

Benefits: Drip irrigation is a controlled method that releases water in a slow fashion. Its technique is highly economical and environmental because it is measured in gallons per hour rather than gallons per minute like a standard

lawn sprinkler. Such a slow flow of water guarantees that it will be absorbed into the crop and will not evaporate. The system is both efficient

and inexpensive. Its cultural impact is that it allows dry locations the opportunity to successfully produce crops.

What is Furrow/Flood Irrigation?

• Furrow irrigation is a type of surface irrigation where trenches, or furrows, are dug between crop rows in a field.

• Furrows are connected to a river, and each furrow is individually controlled.

• The water floods the soil reservoirs

Where is Furrow Irrigation used?

• Furrow irrigation is used mainly in less developed countries, like India and Pakistan, and smaller farms

• Economically, furrow irrigation works well for farmers because it is cheap

• Environmentally, it works well, but 50% of the water used does not make it to crops because of evaporation and transpiration into the fields.

• Culturally, furrow irrigation is low-tech and traditional in many farming communities. It takes a lot of labor to dig the trenches.

Moveable Riser sprinklers• Water is distributed through a system of pipes

by pumping.• Sprinklers provide efficient coverage for large

areas.• It’s similar to rainfall.• Used mostly in developed countries.• Saves water.• Chemically resistant engineered plastics are

used.• Less labor.

• Used in large commercial farms.• Crops planted in rows. Wheels of

sprinkler pass through rows.• Can be canal or hose fed and the water

is dispersed through a series of hoses that hang from the rolling structure.

• Chemicals/Nutrients can be added to the water supply and are sometimes dispersed in this way.

For Korra Farms: This method is wasteful as it sprays water into the air instead of directly onto our plants. We are considering trickle irrigation as a more sustainable alternative during the drought we are experiencing.

For Gofu Farms: This method will work very well. I have a big river and may have a large reservoir to sustain the quantity of water needed for this system.

Moveable Risers

Lenses

Economic Environmental Cultural

• Costs a lot due to large size

• Costs a lot of money to dig trenches (if that is your approach)

• Upkeep and maintenance can be expensive

• Lots of water used.• Water wasted.

• “Wow, you have one of those sprinklers, hmph.”

• Large machinery is a normal thing among large farms.

Sprinkler – Center Pivot

Center Pivots work best in a round field, with the water source located in the

center. The sprinkler rotates in a circle to water all of the crops.

-Used in diverse climates (from the Sahara to Savannah, Georgia)- Requires fossil fuels to be built and for operation- Dries up aquifers- No labor costs or tillage necessary- They’re modern and culturally acceptable- Requires round or square fields

- Not an economical use of land (requires more land for more irrigation circles)

- Uses lots of water resources in arid areas

- Requires flat land- Run by an electric

motor

Mulching

• Mulching is when you cover an area of soil with a layer of material. They can be organic or inorganic materials.

• It can serve as a protection for the soil and helps garden growth.

• Commonly used in regions with colder climate to retain heat.

• Apply toward beginning of growing season and reapply as necessary

Mulching Cont.

Advantages• Retains soil moisture• Reduces soil erosion and

protects the soil from the sun/wind.

• Suppresses weeds• Aesthetically pleasing• Improves soil fertility• Improves crop

production therefore increases monetary gain

Disadvantages

• Can attract pests due to organic material

• Expensive to continue reapplying depending on material used. (Can use compost for a cheaper option)

• Competition for resources between the mulch and the plant

• Nitrogen deficiency