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I. INTRODUCTION

A. Irrigation

Irrigation, according to Israelsen (1979), is the application of water to soil for the
purpose of supplying moisture essential for plant growth. Irrigation is done to achieve
any of the following purposes:

1. To add water to soil to supply the moisture essential for plant growth.
2. To provide crop insurance against short duration droughts.
3. To cool the soil and atmosphere, thereby making more favorable to plant growth.
4. To wash out or dilute salts in the soil.
5. To reduce the hazard of soil piping.
6. To soften tillage pans and clods.
7. To delay bud formation by evaporative cooling.
8. To reduce the hazard of frost.
9. To dissolve nutrients present in the soil/fertilizer.

B. Drainage

Drainage is the natural and/or artificial removal of excess water from land with
the purpose of lowering the amount of water in the field. Drainage is done to achieve any
of the following:

1. To facilitate early plowing and planting

2. To lengthen the crop-growing season.
3. To provide more available soil moisture and plant food by increasing the depth of root-
zone soil.
4. To help enhance soil ventilation.
5. To decrease soil erosion and gullying, by increasing water infiltration into soils.
6. To provide condition favorable to growth of soil bacteria.
7. To leach excess salts from soil.
8. To provide higher soil temperature.
9. To help improve sanitary and health conditions.

C. Irrigation as a Science

Irrigation science is not restricted to application of water to the soil. The scope
covers the water sources, the delivery of it to the farm and on the drainage channel. It
include the watershed that yields the irrigation water, the stream that conveys the water,
the management, distribution and application of the water, and the drainage problems
arising from irrigation practices.

Introduction
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D. Needs for Irrigation and Drainage

In the Philippines, total amount of annual precipitation is about 100 inches on the
average. However, this amount is not evenly distributed throughout the year. There are
months when rainfall is too heavy and months when it is too little or none at all. This
unpredictable weather condition necessitates irrigation especially during the dry months.

Drainage becomes very necessary in areas where there is excessive runoff brought
about by high intensity rain, and wasteful application of irrigation water. The presence of
low lying areas aggravates further the problem of drainage.

References

Angeles, H. L. 1974. Lecture on Irrigation and Drainage. Central Luzon State University.

Hansen, V.E., O.W. Israelsen and G.E. Stringham. 1980. Irrigation Principles and
Practices. 4th Edition. John Wiley and Sons.

Turner, A.K., S.T. Willatt, J.H. Wilson, and G.A. Jobling. 1984. Soil-Water
Management. International Development Program of Australian Universities
and Colleges Limited (IDP).

Introduction