1. Types of Irrigation
Brenton Bartelt

2. History Flood irrigation: Egyptians and Mesopotamians Asia and Europe
Channels dug in fields, inefficient
Egyptians and Mesopotamians
Surface irrigation based off of flooding of Nile River
Asia and Europe
Diverted water from rivers and streams to fields
Common precipitation used to be a sufficient source of irrigation for crops

3. Irrigation Methods Surface In-ground irrigation Localized Sprinkler
Flood irrigation
Localized
Water distributed at low pressure
Sprinkler
Water distributed through pipes, distributed over field
Sub-Irrigation
Water directed towards root zone
In-ground irrigation
Everything buried underground, more presentable

4. Surface Irrigation Historically most common form
Water controlled by dikes, plugged by soil
Commonly used in rice fields
Split up into section
The field water efficiency is 20 to 50 percent.

5. Localized Irrigation Known as drip irrigation
Drips on individual plants
Positioned to drip on roots
Used in produce production
80 to 60 percent water efficiency

6. Sprinkler Irrigation water is piped to one or more central locations
Sprinklers, spray, guns are permanently mounted
Center Pivot or Lateral Move
Low Energy Precision Application better applies water
Hydraulic or electric powered
with GPS guidance

7. Sub-Irrigation Used on crops in high water tables
Water comes up from below root zone
Used in grasslands or river valleys
Combined with drainage infrastructure
Used in commercial greenhouse production
Ran for minutes, water absorbed excess is recycled

8. In-ground irrigation Commercial and residential systems
Divided into zones because of lack of pressure and water
Irrigation controller sends signal to turn on or off
Smart controller- decides when to water
Sprinkler head extends/retracts based on pressure

9. Water Sources Drawn from rivers or streams
Drawn from underground wells
Treated waste water
Recycled drain water
Floodwater harvesting
Diverting flood water

10. Measuring Efficiency
Irrigation methods are efficient enough to spread water to an entire field uniformly
Field Water Efficiency (%) = (Water Transpired by Crop ÷ Water Applied to Field) x 100