Methods of Irrigation

Question 1 What are the various sources of irrigation?

Question 2 Describe the sprinkler system of irrigation?

Question 3 What are the advantages of sprinkler system of irrigation?

Question 4 Describe the drip system method of irrigation?

Question 5 What are the advantages of drip system method of irrigation?

Question 6 Name few traditional methods of irrigation?

Question 7 name few modern methods of irrigation?

☞ NCERT Solutions Class 8 Science

Sources of Irrigation

The various sources of irrigation are rivers, canals, wells, tubewell, dams, ponds, lakes, rain.

Traditional method of Irrigation

The various traditional method of irrigation are

(1) Moat (pulley system)

(2) Chain pump

(3) Dhekli

(4) Rahat (lever system)

Traditional method of irrigation are cheaper but less efficient. Pumps are commonly used for lifting water. These pumps run by electricity, diesel, biogas or solar energy.

When a pump is used to draw out water from a narrow well, it is called tube-well. They are used increasingly for lifting underground water to be used for irrigation in agriculture.

Modern methods of Irrigation

The two main modern methods of irrigation are:

(1) Sprinkler system

A main pipeline is laid in the field. Perpendicular pipes having rotating nozzles at the top are joined to the main pipelines at regular intervals. When water from a tube-well is allowed to flow through the main pipelines under pressure with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzles. This water gets sprinkled on the crop plants as if it is raining.

Advantages of sprinkler system

(1) It is more useful for the uneven land where sufficient water is not available.

(2) It is very useful for sandy soil.

(2) Drip System

There is network of narrow pipes with small holes in the fields. When water flows through the narrow pipes, it fall drop by drop at the position of roots of the plants. This water is absorbed by the soil in the root zone of the plants and utilised by the plant. There is no wastage of irrigation of water.

Advantages of Drip System

(1) It provides water to plants drop by drop. So water is not wasted at all.

(2) It minimises the use of water in agriculture. It is useful in those regions where the availability of water is poor.