Configurations Of Farm Irrigation Systems

By Joseph Reynolds


Modern farming has not changed much since it was developed tens of thousands of years ago. In order to be successful in modern times, the farmer needs to be successful at efficiently getting water to the crops. Using the right farm irrigation systems helps make sure the crops have water and the cost is minimized.

Surface irrigation systems are simple and usually require no mechanical pump to set up and operate. This simple process uses gravity to move the water through channels between the rows to practically flood the field. This system has been in place for thousands of years and is one of the most common systems in use in the world today. Because of its simplicity and reduced need for mechanical intervention, it is also considered one of the most cost-effective in place.

Localized processes are designed for crops that need water close to the roots. Pipes are typically placed between the rows with holes to allow the water to spray or drip into the soil at a low rate. Flooding the field does not work for this system because the crops need the water directly into the root system. There is very little evaporation with this system.

Sprinklers are used to spray water out the same way that rainfall works. The pipes typically have a part on the end that breaks the water flow into droplets making it spray into the air. These droplets then fall on the crops. This provides a great way to evenly distribute the water without having to put pipes throughout the field.

A central pivot type of system uses sprinklers to spray the water. However, it is anchored at one end so the pipes move in a circular motion. The equipment is set on wheels so it can easily move around the central point, watering the crops as it goes.

Lateral movement equipment often uses the same equipment as the central pivot. In this case, the equipment either moves mechanically or is manually moved along the length of the field. The disadvantage here is the need to have several connection points to a water supply placed throughout the field. As the equipment moves, it must have the hoses connected to the next water riser. This requires someone to monitor the field every few hours to move the hoses.

There are sub-irrigation systems for indoor use. These have pipes or tubes running under the plants. Water is pushed into the tubes and comes out directly into the root area. This is great for areas that have too much evaporation or are inside where larger systems cannot be used. The excess water runs off into a catch system and is reused.

With food being grown in various environments and landscapes, the different types of irrigation processes are designed to address each problem that may arise. Having the right type of equipment and process in place makes the job of growing crops easier and more cost effective.




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