Introduction to Irrigation Engineering

CHAPTER 1

What is Irrigation Engineering

Irrigation is the application of water to the soil for

the purpose of supplying the moisture essential for plant growth

Historical perspectives
Ancient civilizations rose over irrigated areas Egypt claims having the world's oldest dam, 108m

long, 12m high, built 5,000 years ago 6,000 years ago, Mesopotamia supported as many as 25 million people. The same land today with similar population depends on imported wheat for food

Challenges for Irrigation and drainage engineers

Depletion of natural resources (soil and water) Salinization of soil Lower productivity of soil: tax records from

Mesopotamia barely yields were 2500L/ha, now only to this value. Dissertification

Irrigation & technology

Hi-tech control: tensiometers, controls and

automation of irrigation and water application. Use of remote sensing for irrigation scheduling and prediction of yield New job oppurtunities

Role of Civil Engineers

The supply of water at farm turnout Water storage Water conveyance

Supplying water WHEN needed and by the

QUANTITY needed irrigation scheduling Drainage: surface and sub-surface

Purposes of Irrigation
Providing insurance against short duration droughts Reducing the hazard of frost (increase the

temperature of the plant) Reducing the temperature during hot spells Washing or diluting salts in the soil Softening tillage pans and clods. Delaying bud formation by evaporative cooling Promoting the function of some micro organisms

Sources of Moisture for Plant Growth

Precipitation (includes rain, hail, snow): Frequency Intensity Depth

Atmospheric water Flood water Ground water

Terms
Deficit irrigation Supplemental irrigation