Surface Irrigation - Basin Irrigation

Basin Irrigation


This is the most common simplest and oldest method of controlled irrigation in Pakistan. There are many variations in its use. However, in general, it involves dividing the field into smaller unit areas so that each has a nearly level surface. Ridges are constructed around the field farming basin within which are constructed around the field forming basin filled to the desired depth can be controlled. The basins are filled to the desire depth and the water is retained until it infiltrates into the soil. When irrigating rice the depth of water may be maintained for considerable period of time by allowing water to continue to flow into the basins.




Suitability

                Basin irrigation is used on many different soils. The prime important soil character influencing the design of basin is the water infiltration rate. This and the size of the available stream determine the area that can be enclosed in each basin.  Basin may vary in size from 1 one square meter used for growing vegetables to as much as 7.5 hectares for the production of rice and other grain crops.
Sandy soils require smaller basin as compared to the clayey soils. The objective in selecting the basin size is to enable the irrigator to flood the entire area in a reasonable length of time, so that the desired depth of water can be applied with a high degree of uniformity over the entire basin. Cotton, grain, maize, groundnuts, grams, pasture and many other field crops are suited to this system of irrigation. It is seldom used for crops which are sensitive to wet soil conditions around the stems. The primary requirement in basin irrigation is a field level in both directions so that irrigation water applied to basin must be stored in filtrate into the soil.

Advantages

                Adequate control of water, uniform distribution, high application efficiency with proper design and operation is obtained by this method. It is useful for leaching and conservation of water. It is suited to smaller flow rates and smaller land holdings.

Disadvantages

                The levees interfere with the movement of farm machinery equipment. This method is therefore not suited to mechanize farming. It is sometime difficult to drain excess water on clayey soils. Considerable land is occupied by the levees and ditches, reducing the area available for production. Excessive loss of water occurs through additional watercourse system and over irrigation practice. Because of smaller units, mostly, the corners are left unplanned. Basin method utilizes greater energy of farm power per unit area.






Popular posts from this blog

Grafting Method - Inarching or Approach Grafting

Image
Inarching or Approach Grafting Unlike other grafting operations, in inarching the scion is attached to the stock while it is still attached to the parent plant. Round the world, the method has been extensively used in the vegetative propagation of mango. The method involves potting healthy one-year- old seedling in earthen pots, which are usually 12 in deep and 8 in wide at the top. The earth ball along with root system is kept intact and placed in the pot. The unfilled space in the pot is then filled with a mixture of well- rotted manure and canal silt. The soil is firmly pressed around the earth ball and the transplanted seedlings are then watered. Potting of seedlings is usually done one month ahead of actual inarching operations. This allows sufficient time for the seedlings to set before grafting. Inarching can either be done in the spring months or in the rainy season. July and August are preferred over the spring season because after inarching operations in the spr
Read more

Parent Material of Soil

Image
Parent Material of Soil Unconsolidated product of weathering from which soil develops is called parent material. Generally there are two groups of parent materials, i.e. sedentary and transported. The transported materials are further subdivided according to transporting agency and place of deposition. Sedentary or Residual                                            The parent material formed in place and still at the original site. Transported                       The parent material carried and deposited by various transporting agencies. By gravity- Colluvial By water- Alluvial By ice- Glacial By wind- Eolian The nature and properties of parent material together with climate are the most important factors affecting the kind and quality of soils. So to understand soils we must know the source of material, mechanisms of weathering and transporting agencies. Sedentary or Residual Parent Material                                                      
Read more

Green Manuring

Image
Green Manuring A growing crop that is plowed under and mixed with soil to enrich the organic matter is called green manure crop. The practice of plowing under or soil incorporation of such green manure is called green manuring. Green manures are mostly leguminous crops which are high in nitrogen contents. Generally following crops are suitable for green manuring: Jantar, Guara, Cow peas, Alfalfa, Sun hemp and Clover etc. Criteria for the selection of green manure crops It should be fast growing and easily established. It should produce abundant and succulent biomass. It should be well adapted to the local conditions. Growth habit of crop should encourage ground cover soon after its establishment. It should be able to fix nitrogen in the soil. It should have a wide climatic and soil adaptation and ability to grow on poor soil. Advantages Improves the soil fertility Adds nutrients and organic matter to the soil Improves the soil structure Improves soil aer
Read more