Agricultural Irrigation Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of irrigation in agriculture?

  • To supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall (correct)
  • To mitigate drought
  • To speed up production
  • To increase production

What factor does not affect the irrigation needs of crops?

  • Rainfall
  • Soil type (correct)
  • Sun
  • Humidity

What is the average water requirement for Residential Home Lawn?

  • 34 inches
  • 25 inches (correct)
  • 21 inches
  • 30 inches

What is the unit of measurement for flow rate in Flood Irrigation?

<p>Acre-feet (ac-ft) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How much water does an acre-inch of irrigation supply?

<p>27,541 gallons of water (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average water requirement for Corn in Africa?

<p>26 inches (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which irrigation method is known to be the least efficient?

<p>Flood irrigation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of areas can irrigation allow for crop growth?

<p>Only dry areas (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for filtration in Drip irrigation?

<p>To prevent clogging of emitters (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the water requirement for Turfgrass on Kyle Field?

<p>936,394 gallons (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of Center pivot irrigation?

<p>Moderate water use (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Irrigation

  • Irrigation is the controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through manmade systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall.

What is Irrigated?

  • Sports fields
  • Agriculture crops
  • Lawns
  • Gardens

Why Irrigate Crops?

  • To increase production
  • To speed up production
  • To grow food in dry areas
  • To mitigate drought

Irrigation Measurements

  • Irrigation is measured in depth (inches or mm)
  • Each plant has a water requirement
  • Climate has an impact on irrigation, including factors such as:
    • Sun
    • Heat
    • Humidity
    • Rainfall
    • Wind
    • Evapotranspiration
  • Average Crop Water Requirements:
    • Corn: ~ 26 inches
    • Cotton: ~ 27 inches
    • Sorghum: ~ 22 inches
    • Small Grains: ~ 30 inches
    • Vegetables: ~ 22 inches
    • Fruit Trees: ~ 36 inches
  • 1 Acre-Inch = 27,541 gallons of water

Average Landscape Plant Water Requirements

  • Sports Turf Grass: ~ 34 inches
  • Residential Home Lawn: ~ 25 inches
  • Flower/Bedding Areas: ~ 21 inches
  • Example: The Turfgrass on Kyle Field requires 936,394 Gallons of water
  • ¼ Acre Residential Home can use 67,000 gallons of water for landscape irrigation

Resources Required to Irrigate

  • Water
  • Pump (pressure & flow)
  • Piping
  • Emitter(s)

Agricultural Irrigation Methods

  • Flood irrigation
  • Sprinkler irrigation
  • Drip irrigation

Flood Irrigation

  • Most common worldwide
  • Known to be least efficient
  • High water losses
  • High flow rates
  • Low water pressure
  • Ample water supply
  • Inexpensive water supply
  • Flowrate – acre-feet (ac-ft)

Sprinkler Irrigation

  • Single large nozzle
  • Multiple small nozzles
  • High pressure
  • High to medium flowrates
  • Moderate water use
  • Moderate losses
  • Flowrate – gallons per minute (GPM)

Drip Irrigation

  • Surface drip
  • Subsurface drip
  • Low pressure
  • Low flow rate
  • Emitter: GPHs
  • Filtration required
  • Highest efficiency
  • Flowrate – gallons per hour (GPH)

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