Hydrology

INTODUCTION
What is irrigation?
Irrigation may be defined as the process of
artificially supplying water to soil for raising crops.
It is a science of planning and designing an
efficient, low-cost, economic irrigation system
tailored to fit natural conditions
MODES OR METHODS OF APPLYING WATER
TO CROPS
Irrigation water may be applied to the crops
by three basic methods: (1) Surface irrigation
method, (2) Sprinkler irrigation method, and
(3) Sub-surface irrigation method.
SUB-SURFACE IRRIGATION
The sub-surface irrigation method consists of supplying water directly to the root zone of the crop. Sub-irrigation refers to
“irrigation below the surface (as by a periodic rise of the water table or by a system of underground porous pipes).”
The favourable conditions for the sub-surface irrigation practice are:
1. Impervious sub-soil (A soil through which water, air, or roots penetrate slowly or not at all) at reasonable depth (2 to 3 m)
or existence of high-water table(the groundwater is relatively close to the
surface).
2. Permeable soil such as loam or sandy loam in the root zone of the soil.
( Permeable soils like loam or sandy loam have the ability to absorb and
allow water to pass through them relatively easily.)
3. Uniform topographic conditions.
4. Moderate slopes. Moderate slopes refer to terrain that has a gentle to
moderate incline. On gentle slopes, water may tend to accumulate and
saturate the soil more easily, especially if the soil is permeable.
5. Good quality irrigation water. Good quality irrigation water refers to
water that is suitable for use in agricultural irrigation without causing
harm to crops, soil, or the environment.
If all these favourable conditions are fulfilled and if proper
precautions are taken to prevent alkali accumulation or excess
water-logging, the method results in economical use of water, high
crop yield and low labour cost in preparing the irrigation plots.
Subsurface irrigation may be of two classes:

(i) Natural sub-irrigation and
(ii) Artificial sub-irrigation
Natural sub-irrigation
In this system, water is supplied to the root zone of the plants by controlling the level of local water table. Such a high
level of water table in the area may be available due to water seeping from earthen canals, drains, rivers etc. In order to
ensure the requisite supply of water to the root zone, it is essential to maintain the desired water level by artificial means.
For this purpose, water is supplied to a series of ditches half to one metre deep and 25 to 50 cm wide having vertical
sides. These ditches are spaced from 15 to 100 m apart depending upon the permeability of subsoil and topography of
land. The depth of the ditches may vary from 0.3 to 1 m and the width may vary from 0.3 to 0.5 m. These channels have
relatively flat slopes.
Water flows at a slow rate and seeps into the ground to maintain
the water table at a height such that water from the capillary fringe
(capillary fringe, also known as the capillary zone or capillary
rise, is the ability of water to move upward against gravity due
to capillary action) is available to the crops. Proper drainage of
excess water is permitted, either naturally or with the other
drainage works to prevent water logging of the fields. Sometimes
the upward capillary water flow from shallow water table may
produce saline and alkali conditions and may make the land less
productive. Under such circumstances, the sub-surface irrigation
method has to be discontinued and irrigation has to be resorted by
sprinkling method.
Artificial sub-irrigation
This method consists of supplying water directly to the root zone of crops
through a network of buried perforated pipes. Water is made to pass
under pressure, through these underground perforated pipes. This method
is suitable only for those soils formations which have high horizontal
permeability (Horizontal permeability refers to the ability of a
material, such as soil or rock, to allow fluids to flow horizontally
through it. It is a measure of how easily fluids can move parallel to
the ground surface or along a horizontal plane within the material) to
permit free lateral movement though the root zone of the crops and low
vertical permeability so that deep percolation losses are minimised. The
pipe is buried 0.3 to 0.4 m deep, so that cultivation operations are not
hindered, and are spaced 0.4 to 0.5 m horizontally, for uniform distribution
of water.
DRIP IRRIGATION:
In the case of drip irrigation, when the drip lines or emitters are buried beneath the
soil surface, it functions as a form of subsurface irrigation. This method offers several
advantages, including reduced evaporation losses, minimized weed growth, and
better water efficiency by delivering water directly to the plant roots.
While drip irrigation can be both surface and subsurface irrigation depending on how
it's implemented, when it's buried beneath the soil surface, it's considered a form of
subsurface irrigation.
Sub-irrigation, offers several advantages and disadvantages, which should be carefully considered
when evaluating its suitability for specific agricultural contexts:
Advantages:
Efficient Water Use: Subsurface irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone of plants,
minimizing losses due to evaporation and runoff. This targeted approach can result in higher water
use efficiency compared to surface irrigation methods.
Reduced Weed Growth: Since water is applied directly to the root zone, subsurface irrigation can help
suppress weed growth by limiting moisture availability on the soil surface, thereby reducing
competition for resources between crops and weeds.
Improved Nutrient Management: Subsurface irrigation allows for precise control over water and
nutrient delivery, which can help optimize nutrient uptake by plants and reduce nutrient leaching into
groundwater or surface water bodies.
Advantages:
Soil Conservation: By minimizing soil disturbance and erosion associated with surface irrigation
practices, subsurface irrigation contributes to soil conservation efforts, preserving soil structure
and fertility over time.
Enhanced Crop Yield and Quality: Consistent moisture levels in the root zone provided by
subsurface irrigation can promote healthy plant growth, leading to higher crop yields and
improved quality of harvested produce.
Disadvantages:
Initial Investment Cost: The installation of subsurface irrigation systems, including buried pipes or drip lines, may
require a significant initial investment in materials, equipment, and labour, which can be a barrier for some
farmers, particularly those with limited financial resources.
Maintenance Requirements: Subsurface irrigation systems require regular maintenance to ensure proper
functioning, including monitoring for clogging or damage to buried pipes or emitters, adjusting water delivery
rates, and periodic cleaning of filters or screens.
Soil Suitability: Subsurface irrigation may not be suitable for all soil types or conditions. Soils with high clay
content or poor drainage may experience waterlogging or reduced oxygen availability in the root zone, which
can negatively impact plant growth and root health.
Salinity and Alkalinity: In areas with high groundwater salinity or alkalinity, subsurface irrigation may exacerbate
soil salinization or alkali accumulation over time, particularly if proper drainage measures are not implemented
to manage excess water and salts.
Limited Applicability: Subsurface irrigation may not be practical or effective for certain crops, such as shallow-
rooted or water-sensitive species, which may require more frequent and shallow watering than subsurface
systems can provide.

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INTODUCTION

Subsurface irrigation may be of two classes:

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