Water Management

Water Supply
and
Management
Learning Outcomes:
1. Explain the importance of water management in crop production;
2. Differentiate the water irrigation system use in crop production; and
3. Identify the importance of water drainage and crop forcing in crop

production.
Pre-assessment:
1.What is water management?

2.Differentiate irrigation, drainage and crop forcing.
3.What are the different methods of irrigation? Specify 3 methods and the crop it may
applied.
Water Management
It is an integrated process of applying the needed amount of water at the
proper time and removal of excess water from the field to increase production.
Fa c t o r s a f f e c t i n g w a t e r av a i l a b i l i t y
• Type of soil
• Natural rainfall
• Wa t e r - t a b l e l e v e l
• Prevailing wind
Importance of Water in Plants
1.Water helps in the 2.Water helps in the process of

germination of seeds photosynthesis by which plants prepare
their food.
Importance of Water in Plants
3.Water helps in the transport of nutrients and
minerals from the soil to the plants.
4.Water helps in the maintenance of the plant

structure by providing the appropriate pressure to
the plant tissues.
5.Water provides habitat in the form of ponds, rivers,

lakes, and sea for a large number of plants.
Effect of Water Scarcity on Plants
Water scarcity on plants causes wilting on plant leaves. The plant appears to limp
and begins to collapse as the plant cell loses the turgor pressure. Lack of water
hampers photosynthesis and can even completely halt the process.
Timing of application
 The best time for water application is in the
morning.
 Watering in the morning is actually
preferable than watering in the evening as
the plant has time to dry before the sun goes
down.
 At night, the water tends to rest in the
soil, around the roots, and on the foliage,
which encourages rot, fungal growth, and
insects.
Irrigation
It is an artificial means of applying water to plants. Irrigation
is the addition of water to plants to supplement the water
provided by rain.
Critical stages when irrigation is needed
1. Early stages of growth 2. Peak of water demands is at

flowering or at early fruiting stage
For irrigated rice:
• achieve 3-5 cm water depth every irrigation time from early tillering until 1-
2 weeks before crop maturity or harvest.
• controlled irrigation that does not induce drought stress or reduce plant
growth can be followed to use water efficiently.
• drain water or stop irrigation 1 week before harvest for medium textured
soils or 2 weeks before harvest for fine-textured soils.
Factors to consider for determining a suitable
irrigation program
Soil- soil texture and depth
Factors to Plant factors- rooting characteristics

consider for
determining a
suitable Climatic factors/ environment
irrigation
program
Determination of Irrigation Schedules
1. Irrigation based on soil water measurements
a.gravimetric method- FW
b.use of tensiometer- measures water
potential
2. Based on evapotranspiration rates

3. Temporary Wilting
4. Color of foliage
5. Rate of plant growth

5. Rate of plant growth
6. Feel of the soil
o Sandy- soil appears to be dry and cannot be formed into ball
o Loamy-soil some-what crumbly and holds together
o Clayey- soil somewhat pliable, forms a ball, too dry to easily form
ribbon
7. Sand cum-soil mini plot technique
Methods of Irrigation
1.Overhead irrigation
It is the application of water in the form of spray or artificial rain
2.Sprinkler irrigation
1. Use of watering cans or
bucket irrigation
2.Surface irrigation- It is the system that deliver water to crops using a
gravity-fed, overland flow of water.
a. Flooding method b. Furrow irrigation

applicable in areas which have flat
to uniform and gentle slopes, with
abundant and inexpensive irrigation
water.
3.Drip irrigation. It is also known as tickle irrigation which refers to the
application of water to the soil through small orifices or emitters which are
designed to discharge water at rates of 1-8 liters/hour.
Advantages:
• sanitation
• flexibility in the farm operations
• uniform water distribution
• ease in combining irrigation with
fertilizer and pesticide application
4.Sub-irrigation
It is the supply of water by an underground system which reaches the plant
by capillary movement.
5.Mist irrigation
It is the use of high-pressure pump that atomizes water and saturates
the air immediately over the plants.
Sources of irrigation water
A) Ground Water B) Surface Water
C) Recycable Municipal Water

Drainage
Drainage
It is the excess water, whether it comes from irrigation or from
natural resources, must be removed from the field to ensure normal
crop growth.
Drainage methods and application
1.Surface drainage - It eliminates ponding,

2.Sub-surface drainage - It is the
prevents prolonged saturation, and
accelerates the flow to an outlet without removal of excess ground water
siltation or erosion of soil with surface ditches
methods:
orientation of row crops with land slope, use
of diversion
Crop Forcing
It is the use of specialized structures to shield plants from too
much rain. Example: plastic house tunnels, or greenhouse.

Water Management

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Management

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Management

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Water Supply

1. Explain the importance of water management in crop production;

2. Differentiate the water irrigation system use in crop production; and

3. Identify the importance of water drainage and crop forcing in crop

1.What is water management?

1.Water helps in the 2.Water helps in the process of

4.Water helps in the maintenance of the plant

5.Water provides habitat in the form of ponds, rivers,

1. Early stages of growth 2. Peak of water demands is at

Soil- soil texture and depth

Factors to Plant factors- rooting characteristics

2. Based on evapotranspiration rates

5. Rate of plant growth

a. Flooding method b. Furrow irrigation

C) Recycable Municipal Water

1.Surface drainage - It eliminates ponding,

You might also like