1. A discourse by Tarek and Elliot
Irrigation
A discourse by Tarek and Elliot

2. What is…Irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial provision of water to support agriculture.

3. Methods of Irrigation Pouring water on fields Leveling of fields
Surge flooding
Capture and reuse of runoff
Drip irrigation (the best)
Spray irrigation
Better Spray irrigation
Conventional irrigation
Center-pivot irrigation

4. Problems of Irrigation
Waterlogging occurs when the water table rises to the point that water bathes plant roots, depriving them of access to gases and essentially suffocating them. If it lasts long enough, waterlogging can kill plants.
Salinization is the buildup of salts in surface soil layers. In dryland areas where precipitation is minimal and evaporation is high, water evaporation drags subcutaneous salts to the surface. These salts inhibit plant growth.

5. A Waterlogged Field

6. Salinization at Work

7. Alleviating Salinization
Salinization is much easier to prevent than it is to treat
The main strategy is to increase the efficiency of irrigation
Some possible ways to mitigate salinization is to flush the salt out of farmland with large quantities of water and planting salt-tolerant crop.

8. What is Fertilizer?
Fertilizers are any of various substances that contain essential nutrients, often added to soils to enhance their nutritive properties.
Fertilizers are categorized as organic and inorganic. Inorganic are mixed or synthetically manufactured mineral supplements. Organic fertilizers consist of the remains and wastes of dead plants and animals.

9. Why do we use Fertilizers?
Fertilizers are used to increase crop yields in areas with poor soil.
Often inorganic fertilizers are harmful to the environment, but the overuse of organic fertilizers can also be harmful.
A surfeit can lead to eutrophication. We have already thoroughly discussed all facets of this issue.

11. The effects of grazing policies
Overgrazing can lead to soil damage, impaired productivity, and erosion.
When livestock graze, they make areas vulnerable to invasion by non-native species
Soil compaction is another consequence of overgrazing

12. The Effects of Forestry
Forestry is the cultivation of trees
Clear-cutting leads to severe erosion, particularly on steep slopes
Forestry practices have been modified in an attempt to minimize damage to soils

13. Techniques to Promote Soil Conservation
Food Security Act of 1985 – Requires farmers to adopt soil conserving policies in order to be subsidized
Conservation Reserve Program 1985 – pays farmers to stop cultivating erodible cropland
Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act –
Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture Program
Various UN programs