Types of irrigation - Everything You Need to Know

 

Furrow systems This system comprises a series of small, shallow channels used to guide water down a slope across a paddock. Furrows are generally straight, but may also be curved to follow the contour of the land, especially on steeply sloping land just describe at sod2day.com. Row crops are typically grown on the ridge or bed between the furrows, spaced from 1 meter apart.

Flood or border check systems These systems divide the paddock into bays, separated by parallel ridges or border checks. Water flows down the paddock's slope as a sheet guided by ridges. On steeply sloping lands, ridges are more closely spaced and may be curved to follow the contour of the land. Border systems are suited to orchards and vineyards, and for pastures and grain crops.

Level basin systems These systems differ from traditional border check or flood systems in that slope of the land is level and area's ends are closed. Water is applied at high volumes to achieve an even, rapid ponding of the desired application depth within basins.

Center-pivot sprinkler systems A center-pivot sprinkler is a self-propelled system in which a single pipeline supported by a row of mobile towers is suspended 2 to 4 meters above ground. Water is pumped into the central pipe. As the towers rotate slowly around the pivot point, a large circular area is irrigated by sod2day. Sprinkler nozzles mounted on — or suspended from — the pipeline distribute water under pressure as the pipeline rotates. The nozzles are graduated small to large so that the faster moving outer circle receives the same amount of water as the slower moving inside.

Hand move sprinkler systems Hand move sprinkler systems are a series of lightweight pipeline sections that are moved manually for successive irrigations. Lateral pipelines are connected to a mainline, which may be portable or buried. Hand move systems are often used for small, irregular areas. Hand move systems are not suited to tall-growing field crops due to difficulty in repositioning laterals. Labor requirements are higher than for all other sprinklers.

Solid set and fixed sprinkler systems Solid set or fixed refer to a stationary sprinkler system. Water-supply pipelines are generally fixed (usually below the soil surface) and sprinkler nozzles are elevated above the surface. Solid-set systems are commonly used in orchards and vineyards for frost protection and crop cooling. Solid-set systems are also widely used on turf and in landscaping.

Travelling gun sprinkler systems Travelling gun systems use a large sprinkler mounted on a wheel or trailer, fed by a flexible rubber hose. The sprinkler is self-propelled while applying water — travelling in a lane guided by a cable. The system requires high operating pressures, 100psi is not uncommon.

Side-roll wheel-move systems Side-roll wheel-move systems have large-diameter wheels mounted on a pipeline. This enables the line to be rolled as a unit to successive positions across the field. Crop type is an important consideration for this system since the pipeline is roughly 1 meter above the ground.

Linear or lateral-move systems Linear or lateral-move systems are similar to center-pivot systems, except that the lateral line and towers move in a continuous straight path across a rectangular field. Water may be supplied by a flexible hose or pressurized from a concrete-lined ditch along the field's edge.

Low-flow irrigation systems (including drip and trickle) Low-flow irrigation systems (including drip and trickle) use small-diameter tubes placed above or below the soil's surface. Frequent, slow applications of water are applied to the soil through small holes or emitters. The emitters are supplied by a network of main, sub-main and lateral lines. What is Irrigation? Everything You Need to Know About Irrigation Systems Water is dispensed directly to the root zone, avoiding runoff or deep percolation and minimizing evaporation. These systems are generally used in orchards, vineyards, or high-valued vegetable crops.

Source of irrigation water The vast majority of irrigation water use is pumped directly from a water source — river, creek, channel, drag-line, hole, dam or bore.