Irrigation Engineering
Irrigation Engineering Definition of Irrigation Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land, in accordance with the „crop requirements‟ throughout the „crop period‟ for full-fledged nourishment of the crops. Following are the factors which govern the importance of irrigation • Insufficient rainfall • Uneven distribution of rainfall • Improvement of perennial crops • Development of agriculture in desert area Advantages of irrigation • Increase in food production • Optimum benefits • Elimination of mixed cropping • Improvement of cash crops • Source of revenue • General prosperity • Generation of hydroelectric power • Domestic water supply • Facilities of communications • Inland navigation • Afforestation Disadvantages of irrigation • Rising of water table: water-logging • Problem of water pollution (nitrates seepage into GW) • Formation of marshy land • Dampness in weather • Loss of valuable lands Types of Ir...