Irrigation Scheduling

The irrigation interval and quantity of water applied at each application to a particular crop at its
different stages of growth is known as irrigation scheduling. Larger the irrigation interval higher the
quantity of water use in each application and vice-versa. Improper irrigation water management
resulting in either over or under irrigation can reduce crop yields, deteriorate crop quality, increase
diseases and leach soluble nutrients from root zone depth. Application of too much as well as too
little water can create stresses on crops thereby hindering growth and yield. If the intake discharge is
higher than the requirement, there is a tendency of over-irrigation and if it is lower than the
requirement, under irrigation is likely to occur. In either condition, irrigation scheduling is required to
maintain desired level of moisture content in the soil. Depending upon available discharge in the
source and requirement of the crop, water can be supplied on continuous or rotational basis for the
proposed cropping pattern.

The amount of water given per application is called the irrigation depth. Both the irrigation depths
and irrigation intervals are smaller at the beginning of growing season. This is due to the low
evapotranspiration of the young plants and their shallow root depth. During the mid-season, the
irrigation depth and application interval should be larger due to deeper root depth and higher
evapotranspiration. The accurate determination of irrigation depths and irrigation intervals at
different development stages of crops involves time consuming complicated process. There are
different methods of irrigation scheduling in practice. The common irrigation scheduling methods are
as follows.

A. Plant observation method

B. Estimation method
C. Simple calculation method
D. Water balance method

Plant observation method is used by the farmers in the field to estimate the time and interval of
irrigation. This method is based on the observation of the plant characteristics such as changes in the
colour of the plants, curling of the leaves and plant wilting. In the estimation method, soil is divided
into three types on the basis of water holding capacity and climate is divided into three types based
on reference crop evapotranspiration. A table is prepared which correlates these factors for major
crops and gives interval and irrigation depth. The simple calculation method involves the following
steps:

1. Estimate the net and gross irrigation depth (d) in mm

2. Calculate the irrigation water need (IN) in mm over the total growing season

3. Calculate the number of irrigation applications over the total growing season

4. Calculate the irrigation interval in days

The net irrigation depth and the root depth can be determined by taking measurement in the field.
In the absence of measured data, approximate irrigation depths and root depths can be used from
table. .. table. The water balance approach involves estimation of total available moisture in the soil
for a particular crop that allows certain fraction of this moisture to deplete on evapotranspiration till
the next irrigation water is applied.

Source: FAO, Irrigation water management training manual vol. 4

Source: FAO, Irrigation water management training manual vol. 4

An example of irrigation scheduling for wheat crop using simple calculation method is shown as
below. Irrigation scheduling for other crops is given in Annex – C.

Irrigation scheduling for paddy:

Soil moisture is kept at saturation level for most of the time in the case of paddy crops. But for some specific
varieties, soil moisture depletion is allowed to a certain extent. Paddy is transplanted to the well prepared field
after it is sown in a nursery for 3 to 4 weeks. Prior to land preparation and transplantation, water is applied to the
soil to keep its moisture content at saturation level along with the provision for deep percolation. After
transplantation, soil moisture is not only kept at saturated level but also a standing pool of water is maintained to
prevent weed growth. The paddy field may be drained out before the application of fertilizer and pesticides
temporarily. For the paddy crops of RJKIS, water is planned to supply on continuous basis, the monthly
intake requirement of which is shown in the table.......

Table : Monthly water requirement during paddy crops