Understanding The Different Irrigation Systems

By Alison Wilcox


Water is essential to plants. This is among the most important elements a plant needs to process photosynthesis. Without water, plants will simply not grow. However, relying on natural sources of water, such as rain, may not be sufficient to provide the plant's needs. While many use sprinkler systems or even watering cans to water a plant, a farmer may need a system for irrigation Waukesha to supply an entire acre of plants.

The first irrigation system in the world was the basin method. It was used by the Egyptians in watering their crops with the abundance of the Nile river. It was a simple system where water is diverted then channeled into a large, flat-bottomed basin in various farms around. While merely a simple system, this has been a proven productive farming method.

Through the years, more methods were formulated by the farmers. These are aimed to address the differing needs of various plants. While the process have become complex and elaborate, the principles remain the same. Among the popular methods are the plastic mulch, sub-surface provisions, trickle or drip methods, overhead systems and surface irrigation.

Surface water system is arguably the least complex method by far. Simply, it takes excessive flooding on the area where the water is allowed to freely travel through. However, this can be potentially damaging to the crops because the water flow is unrestrained, uncontrolled and unregulated. Moreover, this method is totally dependable on an abundant water source.

The second method is a more refined variance. This follows the same principle of flooding except that it uses channels and pipelines to control water flow. A dam is built to contain the water before flooding the fields. This method is perfect for closely-spaced crops that have roots running deep underground.

Another system that is closely related to the first two methods is the border irrigation. It also controls the flow of the water, but without the use of dike. In contrast, the water is freely drained from the water source to the other end. This is an ideal setup for sloping lands. One other variation, the furrow system, use channels in controlling the amount of water in every portion of the field at any given point.

Meanwhile, the overhead system uses spray nozzles to water the plants from above. The water is pumped into the gears that can be mounted on a network of overhead pipes or atop a stake. Some systems use moving overhead boom to cover a wider area. Others have the functionality to be dismantled and moved from one field to another with less hassle. This is ideal for those plants that are not suitable in watery grounds.

However, this method has its downside, too. For one thing, it requires relatively high pressure so the water can be pumped to the overhead pipelines. Also, exposure of the leaves to wetness over an extended period may expose the plants to the risks of fungal and bacterial diseases.

Lastly, there is the trickle or drip watering system. This is a popular means of irrigation Waukesha because of its ability to control how much water is being supplied to every portion of the land at any given point. This is the most precise, economical and effective of all methods because it supplies water near the roots. This also provides a stable, gradual and even supply of water sufficient for the plant's needs.




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