Q. Which of the following is/are the advantage/advantages of practising drip irrigation?
- Reduction in weed
- Reduction in soil salinity
- Reduction in soil erosion
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- None of the above is an advantage of practising drip irrigation
Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Drip irrigation
- Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that applies small amounts of water and fertilizer uniformly across a specific area.
- Drip irrigation is sometimes called trickle irrigation and involves dripping water onto the soil at very low rates (2-20 litres/hour) from a system of small diameter plastic pipes fitted with outlets called emitters or drippers.
- Water is applied close to plants so that only part of the soil in which the roots grow is wetted, unlike surface and sprinkler irrigation, which involves wetting the whole soil profile.
- Water and nutrients enter the soil from the emitters, moving into the root zone of the plants through the combined forces of gravity and capillary.
- In this way, the plant’s withdrawal of moisture and nutrients are replenished almost immediately, ensuring that the plant never suffers from water stress, thus enhancing quality, its ability to achieve optimum growth and high yield.
- Benefits of drip Irrigation:
- Increase in yield up to 230 %.
- Saves water up to 70% compare to flood irrigation. Water losses can be reduced to a minimum;
- Drip irrigation can be employed in all landscapes;
- Soil erosion can be reduced to a minimum.
- Fertilizer and nutrients can be used with high efficiency;
- As water leaching is reduced, fertilizer/nutrient loss is minimized
- Weed growth is reduced as water and nutrients are supplied only to the cultivated plant.
- Disadvantages of Drip Irrigation
- The initial cost is high.
- May cause clogging if the water is not filtered correctly.
- Problems in moisture distribution.
- Increases soil Salinity.
