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Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for measuring soil moisture in agriculture?
What is the primary reason for measuring soil moisture in agriculture?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of irrigation?
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of irrigation?
What characterizes drip irrigation technology?
What characterizes drip irrigation technology?
Why is soil moisture significant for crops?
Why is soil moisture significant for crops?
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What type of irrigation involves applying water by hand?
What type of irrigation involves applying water by hand?
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What is one of the main purposes of irrigation in relation to the economy?
What is one of the main purposes of irrigation in relation to the economy?
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Which of the following statements about the Standardized Soil Moisture Index is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the Standardized Soil Moisture Index is accurate?
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What method is commonly used to apply water slowly to crops and is efficient in nutrient delivery?
What method is commonly used to apply water slowly to crops and is efficient in nutrient delivery?
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Soil moisture has no significant impact on crop survival.
Soil moisture has no significant impact on crop survival.
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Irrigation can help in washing out soil salinity.
Irrigation can help in washing out soil salinity.
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Drip irrigation delivers water at a rapid pace to ensure maximum absorption by plants.
Drip irrigation delivers water at a rapid pace to ensure maximum absorption by plants.
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Irrigation systems can provide crop insurance during drought conditions.
Irrigation systems can provide crop insurance during drought conditions.
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Manual watering is the preferred method for large industrial farms.
Manual watering is the preferred method for large industrial farms.
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The Standardized Soil Moisture Index is a tool used to measure soil moisture content.
The Standardized Soil Moisture Index is a tool used to measure soil moisture content.
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Irrigation plays no role in increasing national economies.
Irrigation plays no role in increasing national economies.
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The main advantage of drip irrigation is that it wastes a lot of water.
The main advantage of drip irrigation is that it wastes a lot of water.
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Study Notes
Unit 4: Watering Crops
- This unit covers the significance of soil moisture, measuring soil moisture, and performing irrigation.
Objectives
- Students should be able to describe the significance of soil moisture.
- Students should be able to measure soil moisture.
- Students should be able to perform irrigation.
Lesson 1: Determining Soil Moisture - Introduction
- Water is crucial for crop survival and growth.
- Various factors affect crop water needs, including climate, crop type, and soil type.
- This lesson focuses on understanding soil moisture content for better crop management.
Topic 1: Measuring Soil Moisture
- Soil moisture is the amount of water in the soil.
- Soil moisture content varies based on conditions like rain, irrigation, and evaporation.
- Factors influencing soil moisture include climate, soil type, topography, and soil cover.
- Farm activities like crop residue burning, tillage, and drainage can reduce soil moisture content.
Topic 2: Standardized Soil Moisture Index
- Soil moisture content can be expressed as millimeters of water per meter (mm/m).
- For example, 200 mm/m indicates 200 mm of water in a one-meter depth of soil.
- Soil moisture content can also be expressed as a percentage of volume.
- For instance, 1 cubic meter of soil containing 0.2 cubic meters of water is 20% by volume.
Field Crops (Consumptive Use)
- Data provided includes crop types, root zone depth, growing period, and consumptive use in centimeters.
Vegetable Crops (Consumptive Use)
- Data provided includes vegetable types, root zone depth, growing period and consumptive use in centimeters.
Lesson 2: Irrigation Systems
- Irrigation is the artificial application of water to supply moisture needed for plant survival and growth.
- Irrigation provides crop insurance against drought, cools the soil, and washes out salinity.
- Irrigation enhances the functioning of microorganisms and improves fertilizer application.
Why Irrigation Is Important
- It increases crop yield.
- It enables production of special crops.
- It provides employment during the dry season.
- It boosts national economies through exports.
- It increases farmer income.
- It intensifies land use.
Topic 1: Drip Irrigation
- Drip irrigation applies water slowly to the plant root zone.
- This system uses pipes and drippers to provide water and fertilizer directly to plants.
- Drip irrigation is an efficient water-delivery system, transferring water directly to the roots.
Topic 2: Sprinkler Irrigation
- Sprinkler systems spray water into the air, allowing it to fall on the ground.
- Sprinkler irrigation is also called spray irrigation.
- Common sprinkler systems include large-scale spray, center-pivot, and sprinkler types.
- This method can be inefficient due to water loss from evaporation and wind.
A. Center Pivot Irrigation System
- A center pivot system uses a large-diameter pipe that rotates around a central pivot point.
- It delivers low/medium-pressure water to the field.
- Commonly used for large-scale farms.
B. Lateral Move Irrigation System
- A lateral move system uses pipes with wheels connected at the midpoint.
- Water is supplied to the system via a large hose.
- Sprinklers are moved across the field until sufficient water is applied.
- This method can have lower efficiency, and higher labor costs than center-pivot systems.
Topic 3: Surface Irrigation
- Surface irrigation uses gravity to spread water across the field.
- This system is typically the least expensive to install but may require considerable effort to build.
Furrow or Flood Irrigation
- This involves channels (furrows) in the soil
- Water runs through the furrows to irrigate the crops.
- Row crops (like corn, sunflower, sugarcane) are best suited.
Basin Irrigation
- Water is applied to a level area enclosed by borders (dikes).
- Suitable for paddy rice, pastures, citrus, and banana trees.
- Crops that cannot tolerate prolonged wet conditions should not be used.
Ditch Irrigation
- Ditch Irrigation, also known as border strip irrigation, involves steps or leveled land areas across sloping dimensions.
- Used for narrow-row crops (cereals and grasses).
- Compared to other furrow methods this may be more productive and uniform.
Topic 4: Manual Watering
- Manual watering is a common method for small-scale farms and backyards.
- It uses basic gardening tools like cans or hoses to deliver water.
- Allows for control over water use, minimizing loss.
References
- Various websites and publications (sources are listed in the original document) are cited.
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Description
This quiz explores the importance of soil moisture and its measurement in relation to irrigation practices. Students will learn to analyze factors affecting soil moisture, which is crucial for successful crop management. Test your understanding of how to maintain optimal moisture levels for plant growth and yield.
