Questions and Answers
What is the main purpose of irrigation in agriculture?
What factor does not affect the irrigation needs of crops?
What is the average water requirement for Residential Home Lawn?
What is the unit of measurement for flow rate in Flood Irrigation?
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How much water does an acre-inch of irrigation supply?
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What is the average water requirement for Corn in Africa?
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Which irrigation method is known to be the least efficient?
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What type of areas can irrigation allow for crop growth?
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What is the primary reason for filtration in Drip irrigation?
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What is the water requirement for Turfgrass on Kyle Field?
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What is the primary advantage of Center pivot irrigation?
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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
Water Needs of Popular Crops in Africa
- 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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Description
This quiz covers the basics of irrigation in agriculture, including its purpose, measurements, and benefits. Learn about the importance of irrigation in crop production and its applications.
