As times change there has been an evolution of irrigation techniques and technology. ... In the United States irrigation has changed culture by increasing land values , converting more dry land into irrigated land to help increase food production, and shaping farmers into conservationists and water stewards.
How has irrigation improved?
Places that have sparse or seasonal rainfall could not sustain agriculture without irrigation. In areas that have irregular precipitation, irrigation improves crop growth and quality . By allowing farmers to grow crops on a consistent schedule, irrigation also creates more reliable food supplies.
How did irrigation evolve?
The earliest form of irrigation probably involved people carrying buckets of water from wells or rivers to pour on their crops . As better techniques developed, societies in Egypt and China built irrigation canals, dams, dikes, and water storage facilities. ... This water was used for drinking, washing, and irrigation.
What is the history of irrigation?
The earliest archeological evidence of irrigation in farming dates to about 6000 B.C. in the Middle East’s Jordan Valley (1). It is widely believed that irrigation was being practiced in Egypt at about the same time (6), and the earliest pictorial representation of irrigation is from Egypt around 3100 B.C. (1).
Are irrigation systems still used today?
An estimated 18 percent of the worlds cropland is now irrigated . This expansion has occurred mainly in Asia, Africa, and South America. Even desert ecosystems like those in Jordan use irrigation. Jordan uses a variety of irrigation techniques with groundwater from wells and aquifers.
Who created the first irrigation system?
In the mid-20th century, Nebraska farmer Frank Zybach invented center-pivot irrigation and transformed agricultural production worldwide. Using Zybach’s machine, farmers in the semi-arid regions of the Great Plains could efficiently irrigate acres at a time and thereby increase yields on previously marginal land.
What are the 4 types of irrigation?
- Surface irrigation. Water is distributed over and across land by gravity, no mechanical pump involved.
- Localized irrigation. ...
- Drip irrigation. ...
- Sprinkler irrigation. ...
- Center pivot irrigation. ...
- Lateral move irrigation. ...
- Sub-irrigation. ...
- Manual irrigation.
What is the oldest method of irrigation?
Surface irrigation, also known as gravity irrigation , is the oldest form of irrigation and has been in use for thousands of years. In surface (furrow, flood, or level basin) irrigation systems, water moves across the surface of an agricultural lands, in order to wet it and infiltrate into the soil.
What are the major irrigation methods?
- Surface irrigation. Water is distributed over and across land by gravity, no mechanical pump involved.
- Localized irrigation. ...
- Drip irrigation. ...
- Sprinkler irrigation. ...
- Center pivot irrigation. ...
- Lateral move irrigation. ...
- Sub-irrigation. ...
- Manual irrigation.
Is irrigation a human activity?
Surface-water irrigation systems represent some of the largest integrated engineering works undertaken by humans. ... The remainder of the water either infiltrates through the soil zone to recharge ground water or it returns to a local surface-water body through the drainage system (referred to as irrigation return flow).
Is irrigation an engineer?
Irrigation engineers work on large or complicated landscape irrigation projects or in states that require construction plans be approved by an engineer or landscape architect. ... Irrigation engineers develop cost estimates and impact studies, and are actively involved in surveying and construction on the job site.
Why is irrigation bad?
Because irrigation systems deal with redirecting water from rivers, lakes, and underground sources, they have a direct impact on the surrounding environment . ... Increased evaporation in irrigated areas can cause instability in the atmosphere, as well as increase levels of rainfall downwind of the irrigation.
Which irrigation method is most feasible and sustainable?
Drip irrigation is the most efficient and appropriate irrigation system. Instead of wetting the whole field surface, water is applied only to the plant root zone. The primary goal of drip irrigation is to apply water at the time when plants need it most and in rates needed for proper plant growth.
Did Egyptians invent irrigation?
To make the best use of the waters of the Nile river, the Egyptians developed systems of irrigation . Irrigation allowed the Egyptians to use the Nile’s waters for a variety of purposes.
Where does the water for irrigation come from?
Irrigation water can come from groundwater, through springs or wells, surface water, through rivers, lakes, or reservoirs, or even other sources , such as treated wastewater or desalinated water. As a result, it is critical that farmers protect their agricultural water source to minimize the potential for contamination.
Which areas have high levels of irrigation?
At 39 million hectares (67% of its total irrigation), India has the world’s largest groundwater well equipped irrigation system (China with 19 mha is second, USA with 17 mha is third).
