CASE STUDY ON

EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON
SOCITY
SUBJECT: HYDROLOGY & IRRIGATION ENGINEERING

CODE: 15CV73

NAME USN
PRASANNA KUMAR HAMILPURE 3GN16CV082
RIYAZ UR RAHMAN 3GN16CV094
MD SHAHBAAZ 3GN16CV049
VINAYAK 3GN16CV117

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

GUIDE: PROF. RAJANI S. S

GURU NANK DEV ENGINEERING COLLEGE BIDAR, KARNATAKA, 585403

 Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 What is irrigation?......................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 The value of irrigation. .................................................................................................................. 3
1.3 Need for Irrigation ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.4 Scope of Irrigation Engineering ..................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Choosing an irrigation system ....................................................................................................... 5
1.6 Source of Irrigation water ............................................................................................................. 5
1.7 Advantages of irrigation ................................................................................................................ 5
2. TYPES OF IRRIGATION ......................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Surface Irrigation........................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Drip Irrigation ................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Sprinkler Irrigation ........................................................................................................................ 7
2.4 Center Pivot .................................................................................................................................. 8
3. Center Pivot Irrigation in Detail .......................................................................................................... 9
3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 9
3.2. Global History of Centre Pivot Irrigation...................................................................................... 9
3.3. The System ................................................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1. Circular System ................................................................................................................... 10
3.3.2 Rectangular System.............................................................................................................. 11
3.3.3. Lateral System ..................................................................................................................... 11
3.3.4. Corner system ..................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Pros and Cons.............................................................................................................................. 12
3.5. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 12
REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................... 13

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 TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Residential flood irrigation in Phoenix, Arizona ....................................................... 6

Figure 2: Drip irrigation layout and its part.............................................................................. 7
Figure 3: Crop sprinklers near Rio Vista, California ................................................................ 8
Figure 4: Center pivot irrigation Irkhaya Farms in AL Rayyan, Qatar .................................... 8
Figure 5: The satellite picture .................................................................................................... 9
Figure 6: The typical assembly ................................................................................................... 9
Figure 7: center pivot system ................................................................................................... 10
Figure 8: Solar Powered System .............................................................................................. 10
Figure 9: Represents Crop Sowing Pattern from Air ............................................................... 11

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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is irrigation?

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land for the purpose of agricultural
production. Effective irrigation will influence the entire growth process from seedbed
preparation, germination, root growth, nutrient utilisation, plant growth and regrowth, yield
and quality. The key to maximising irrigation efforts is uniformity. The producer has a lot of
control over how much water to supply and when to apply it but the irrigation system
determines uniformity. Deciding which irrigation systems is best for your operation requires
a knowledge of equipment, system design, plant species, growth stage, root structure, soil
composition, and land formation. Irrigation systems should encourage plant growth while
minimising salt imbalances, leaf burns, soil erosion, and water loss. Losses of water will occur
due to evaporation, wind drift, run-off and water (and nutrients) sinking deep below the root
zone. Proper irrigation management takes careful consideration and vigilant observation.

1.2 The value of irrigation.

Irrigation allows primary producers,

 to grow more pastures and crops

 to have more flexibility in their systems/operations as the ability to access water at
times when it would otherwise be hard to achieve good plant growth (due to a deficit
in soil moisture) is imperative. Producers can then achieve higher yields and meet
market/seasonal demands especially if rainfall events do no occur.
 to produce higher quality crops/pastures as water stress can dramatically impact on
the quality of farm produce
 to lengthen the growing season (or in starting the season at an earlier time)
 to have 'insurance' against seasonal variability and drought.
 to stock more animals per hectare and practice tighter grazing management due to
the reliability of pasture supply throughout the season
 to maximise benefits of fertiliser applications. Fertilisers need to be 'watered into' the
ground in order to best facilitate plant growth.
 to use areas that would otherwise be 'less productive'. Irrigation can allow farmers to
open up areas of their farms where it would otherwise be 'too dry' to grow
pasture/crops. This also gives them the capability to carry more stock or to conserve
more feed.
 to take advantage of market incentives for unseasonal production
 to have less reliance on supplementary feeding (grain, hay) in grazing operations due
to the more consistent supply & quality of pastures grown under irrigation
 to improve the capital value of their property. Since irrigated land can potentially
support higher crops, pasture and animal production, it is considered more valuable.
The value of the property is also related to the water licensing agreements or 'water
right'.
 to cost save/obtain greater returns. The cost benefits from the more effective use of
fertilisers and greater financial benefits as a result of more effective agricultural
productivity (both quality and quantity) and for 'out of season' production is likely.
Types of Irrigation Systems.

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1.3 Need for Irrigation

 In India majority of agricultural production is monsoon driven

 Due to non-uniform distribution of rainfall with space and
time, it is essential to have scientific and engineering solution.
  Irrigation is required when,
 Inadequate/Less rainfall
o  Transfer from abundance to deficit area
o Indira Gandhi canal – from Sutlej to Thar desert
  Uneven distribution
o Area
o Intensity and Time scale
o Average annual rainfall: Thar (100 mm) to Assam (>2500 mm)
o Mawsynram, Meghalaya, India (highest avg. annual rainfall 11,873
o mm)
 Number of Crops in a year
 Superior Crops (cash crops)

1.4 Scope of Irrigation Engineering

• Engineering Aspect
o Development of sources of water: first phase
  Dams – when non-perennial rivers are source.
 Weirs/Barrages – when water is diverted to canals, perennial rivers.
o Arrangement of conveyance: second phase
 Reservoirs, canals/diversion structures.
 Groundwater extraction system.

• Agricultural Aspect
o Systematic and Timely application to fields.
o Proper levelling and shaping of fields.
o Soil type and classification.
o Appropriate cropping pattern, climatic factors.
o Conservation of soil (against erosion).

• Management Aspect
o  Deals with successful implementation and efficient management.
o  Cultivation of crops in scientific manner.
o  Training of farmers.
o  Sufficient and Rational distribution of waters to farmers.
o  Charging of water using suitable and scientific methods.

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1.5 Choosing an irrigation system

There is a huge diversity in the types of irrigation technologies/systems used, which is

attributable to,

 Variations in soil types.

 Varying topography of the land.
 Availability of power sources.
 Availability of water.
 Sources of water.
 The period of time when the system was installed.
 The size of the area being irrigated.
 On farm water storage capacity.
 Availability of labour/financial resources.

1.6 Source of Irrigation water

The vast majority of irrigation water use is pumped directly from a water source (river, creek,
channel, drag line, hole, dam or bore).

1.7 Advantages of irrigation

 Increase in food production:

Increase in crop yield leads to an increase in food production, thus developing people
as well as society
 Protection against drought:
The provision of adequate watering facilities in any region ensures protection against
failure of crops from famines and droughts.
 Revenue generation:
When the regular supply of water is assured, the farmers can grow certain superior or
high-priced crops in place of inferior or low-priced crops. As a result, revenue is
generated.
 Mixed Cropping:
Means growing two or more crops together in the same field. This practice is followed
so that if weather conditions are not favourable for one crop, it may be suitable for
other crops. But if enough water facilities are made available, the need for mixed
cropping is eliminated.

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2. TYPES OF IRRIGATION

There are several methods of irrigation. They vary in how the water is supplied to the plants.
The goal is to apply the water to the plants as uniformly as possible, so that each plant has
the amount of water it needs, neither too much nor too little.

 Surface irrigation
 Drip irrigation
 Sprinkler irrigation
 Centre pivot

2.1 Surface Irrigation

Surface irrigation is the oldest form of irrigation and has been in use for thousands of years.
In surface (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. Surface irrigation can be
subdivided into furrow, border strip or basin irrigation. It is often called flood irrigation when
the irrigation results in flooding or near flooding of the cultivated land. Historically, this has
been the most common method of irrigating agricultural land and is still used in most parts
of the world.

Figure 1: Residential flood irrigation in Phoenix, Arizona

Where water levels from the irrigation source permit, the levels are controlled by dikes,
usually plugged by soil. This is often seen in terraced rice fields (rice paddies), where the
method is used to flood or control the level of water in each distinct field. In some cases, the
water is pumped, or lifted by human or animal power to the level of the land. The water
application efficiency of surface irrigation is typically lower than other forms of irrigation.

Surface irrigation is even used to water landscapes in certain areas, for example, in and
around Phoenix, Arizona. The irrigated area is surrounded by a berm and the water is
delivered according to a schedule set by a local irrigation district.

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2.2 Drip Irrigation

Drip (or micro) irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, functions as its name suggests. In
this system water falls drop by drop just at the position of roots. Water is delivered at or
near the root zone of plants, drop by drop. This method can be the most water-efficient
method of irrigation, if managed properly, evaporation and runoff are minimized. The field
water efficiency of drip irrigation is typically in the range of 80 to 90 percent when managed
correctly.

In modern agriculture, drip irrigation is often combined with plastic mulch, further reducing
evaporation, and is also the means of delivery of fertilizer. The process is known as
fertigation.

Figure 2: Drip irrigation layout and its part

Deep percolation, where water moves below the root zone, can occur if a drip system is
operated for too long or if the delivery rate is too high. Drip irrigation methods range from
very high-tech and computerized to low-tech and labour-intensive. Lower water pressures
are usually needed than for most other types of systems, with the exception of low energy
centre pivot systems and surface irrigation systems, and the system can be designed for
uniformity throughout a field or for precise water delivery to individual plants in a landscape
containing a mix of plant species. Although it is difficult to regulate pressure on steep slopes,
pressure compensating emitters are available, so the field does not have to be level. High-
tech solutions involve precisely calibrated emitters located along lines of tubing that extend
from a computerized set of valves.

2.3 Sprinkler Irrigation

In sprinkler or overhead irrigation, water is piped to one or more central locations within the
field and distributed by overhead high-pressure sprinklers or guns. A system using sprinklers,
sprays, or guns mounted overhead on permanently installed risers is often referred to as a
solid-set irrigation system. Higher pressure sprinklers that rotate are called rotors and are
driven by a ball drive, gear drive, or impact mechanism. Rotors can be designed to rotate in a
full or partial circle. Guns are similar to rotors, except that they generally operate at very high
pressures of 275 to 900 kPa (40 to 130 psi) and flows of 3 to 76 L/s (50 to 1200 US gal/min),
usually with nozzle diameters in the range of 10 to 50 mm (0.5 to 1.9 in). Guns are used not
only for irrigation, but also for industrial applications such as dust suppression and logging.
Sprinklers can also be mounted on moving platforms connected to the water source by a hose.
Automatically moving wheeled systems known as traveling sprinklers may irrigate areas such
as small farms, sports fields, parks, pastures, and cemeteries unattended. Most of these use
a length of polyethylene tubing wound on a steel drum.

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 Figure 3: Crop sprinklers near Rio Vista, California

As the tubing is wound on the drum powered by the irrigation water or a small gas engine,
the sprinkler is pulled across the field. When the sprinkler arrives back at the reel the system
shuts off. This type of system is known to most people as a "water reel" traveling irrigation
sprinkler and they are used extensively for dust suppression, irrigation, and land application
of waste water.

Other travellers use a flat rubber hose that is dragged along behind while the sprinkler
platform is pulled by a cable.

2.4 Center Pivot

Center pivot irrigation is a form of sprinkler irrigation utilising several segments of pipe
(usually galvanized steel or aluminium) joined together and supported by trusses, mounted
on wheeled towers with sprinklers positioned along its length. The system moves in a circular
pattern and is fed with water from the pivot point at the center of the arc. These systems are
found and used in all parts of the world and allow irrigation of all types of terrain. Newer
systems have drop sprinkler heads as shown in the image that follows.

Figure 4: Center pivot irrigation Irkhaya Farms in AL Rayyan, Qatar

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3. Center Pivot Irrigation in Detail
3.1 Introduction

Center-pivot irrigation was invented in 1940 by farmer Frank Zybach who lived in Strasburg,
Colorado It was recognized as a method to improve water distribution to fields. Centre Pivot
irrigation is a form of overhead sprinkler irrigation consisting of several segments of pipes
joined together by trusses to support each other. The whole assembly is mounted on tires
due to which it rotates in circular manner around a central point known as Pivot Point. The
space between two tires is known as Span. The typical assembly is shown in figure 6 The arm
of the system is connected with number of pipes at fixed intervals of horizontal distance
between them are known as sprinklers. The average quantity of water from sprinkler can be
controlled by Control Unit.

Various modifications in the system have done time to time to achieve optimum performance
from the original concept of the system and to suit various topographical and climatic
conditions of different locations of the world. The Centre Pivot irrigation comes under the
category of Self-Propelled irrigation system and in USA about 29% of the total irrigation is
achieved by such self-propelled system of irrigation. The satellite picture shows the pattern
of farm in figure 5 Such a mechanized method of irrigation leads to increased yields in less
use of water.

Figure 5: The satellite picture Figure 6: The typical assembly

India has large opportunity to adopt this system although it is very costlier that the traditional
method of watering the crops like furrow or border strip method because of its long term
returns to the farmers; the details of which are given in further portion of this paper.

3.2. Global History of Centre Pivot Irrigation

T-L Irrigation Solutions commercially introduced Centre Pivot system about 50 years ago is
USA. Figure 7 shows primitive picture of the system. In 1952 American Society of Agricultural
& Biological Engineers (ASABE) this system as ‘an historic landmark of agricultural
engineering’. In 22 July 1952 a patent was issued to Frank Zybach named as a self-propelled
sprinkler irrigation system. After two years in 1954 another American Robert Daughtery who
was a Valley Manufacturing Inc. introduced a modified version of the system and successfully
adopted it in Nebraska. Valley Manufacturing Inc. marketed the system on large scale in up
to 1960.
The patent licence expired in 1969 and then towards with updating in the system in various
ways it was commercially launched to serve the needs of big landlords of USA. After 1975

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there was a sudden increased demand of the system due to shortage of labours to water the
corps by traditional method of irrigation. The second important reason behind it was the due
to the use of this system the land which was uneven in the topography also came under the
irrigation. From the source of www.livinghistoryfarm.org it is guessed that till 2002 there were
2,58,000 systems of similar kind were installed.

In other countries like Australia, Brazil and New Zealand where farming is done by means of
very advance technology this system has collected good attention of farmers. Typically, this
system is used for watering rectangular fields.

In India National Seed Corporation in its annual report of 2014-15 recommended the
government to encourage the Indian farmers who have large possession on land adopt this
system to accelerate the cultivation from their farms. Accordingly, various manufactures of
irrigation system are having their consistent demand from the authorities to subsides such
irrigation system to reach the maximum numbers of farmers. As per the recent information
available, in Pune (India) Brightstar India is a leading manufacturer of such systems. Their
system is Solar Powered so as it can be also used during the time of power cut offs. Figure 8
shows one of such a system.

Figure 7: center pivot system Figure 8: Solar Powered System

3.3. The System

3.3.1. Circular System

The most commonly used design of the system consists of an arm whose length is about 1320
ft i.e. 400 m and the arm are about 10 ft above the ground so as to also cover those crops
whose height is more such as Wheat, Sugarcane etc. But crops which grow very close to each
other are not suitable for the system because they may oppose. the movement of tyres in
forward, backward or circular manner. In the primitive design of the system steel wheels were
used for movement but it found that the wheels get sunk in the muddy saturated soil which
used to bring an extra stress on the motor which is causing the movement of wheels. Hence
afterwards, in the modifier versions, low pressure rubber tyres became popular which make
easy for movement even on undulated field surface refer Figure 9. The then systems were
water powered later on they became hydraulic but there days they are driven by electric
motors or using very advance technology such as solar energy to lower its operating cost.

For circular system there is a pivot point around which the arm rotates in 3600 and water
enters in the carrying point at this point. The vertical structure which copes the entire weight

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of pipe material and water is known as tower and the distance between two towers is termed
as span. The is that part of the system which touches the ground by means of wheels. The
whole assembly is supported by truss system. Moreover this, a control panel is the heart of
the assembly which consist of a digital display unit through which one can control the speed
of rotation thereby quantity of water to be discharged in the field. The advance package of
the system also provides the arrangement of automatic on/off of the system at particular tile
interval which greatly permits the farmer to overlook the other important task of the farm.
As the inner circles will have a greater number of circular rotation due to small radius but the
outmost area of the farm there will be a smaller number of rotations in the same time period.
Hence water sprinkle rate at out portion is more than that of the inner portion. The pipes
used for carrying water are typically low weight galvanised iron pipes having diameter about
4 inches to 12 inches i.e. 100 mm to 300 mm; it increases towards the outer side due to more
requirement of water.

3.3.2 Rectangular System

But many times, when the available field is of irregular shape then circular systems are useless
and then the field is to be divided in rectangular shapes and then apply small systems for the
field. It is important to note that for a rectangular system the movement of the assembly is
forward and backward between two fixed ends. This characteristic is typically suitable for
Indian agricultural sector because here in India the fields are as less as 2 acres also in irregular
shapes. Please refer the pictures given below.

3.3.3. Lateral System

It comes also with another version of later system which has a separate machine which travels
parallel to the sides of the field to irrigate up to 95% of the field are. It is more efficient in
terms area under irrigation than that of circular system but it is costlier than it because
separate length of pipe has to attached to it to supply water continually from the source so
becomes uneconomical for large farms such as 100 acres.

3.3.4. Corner system

When circular system is adopted the corners of the field remain unirrigated which are further
irrigated by introducing traditional sprinkler irrigation system to cover that area or the furrow
method can also become useful and uneconomical. It is also practiced in many very large
fields to introduce a separate circular system in small scale at all circular corners of the field.

Figure 9: Represents Crop Sowing Pattern from Air

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3.4 Pros and Cons

PROS

 It is economical and efficient method of irrigation for large fields. It requires about
60% of the water than that of the traditional method of irrigation so considerably
saves water.
 Soil needs not to be in level because water flowing over the ground is not due to
gravity effect.
 Rubber tyres with moderate shock absorbing arrangement make the system suitable
even for undulating field.
 Indian farmer often suffers from shortage of labour power so this system proves best
because almost no labours are involved for operating.
 The towers of the system can also be equipped with CCTV cameras to inspect the
diseases on crop plant and for theft supervision for large fields.
 As it is almost automatic so farmer needs not to present in the farm at the time of
application of water. He can watch live footage of it on his own smart phone or
computer.
 Herbicides, pesticides and soluble nutrient can be directly fed to each plant.
 Since water washes the leaves of the plant so reduces the chances of diseases.

CONS

 Very large initial cost in involved.

 All Indian farmers today are even hesitant to use Drip and Sprinkler method so it is
very hard to for them to adopt such a system at large capital investment.
 If proper service and maintenance is not taken then the system may lead to
breakdown.
 Heavy constituent of salt may lead to blockages of sprinkle nozzles which may lead to
frequent replacement of them.
 For clayey soil care has to be taken so as wheel does not stick in the muddy wet soil.
 Danger from thieves may be the major part of total failure of the system in Indian
purview.

3.5. Conclusion

Various aspect of the Centre Pivot System are tried to study in the present paper but as far as
we look toward this method in Indian perspective it may be concluded that in India there is
vast opportunities to practice it when we look towards the advantages of the system such as
its competency to operate automatically as per the availability of power, this ultimately
relieves Indian farmer in a great way. Moreover, this it saves considerably large area from
being wasted in digging the trenches. On the other hand, its cost is a big issue and therefore
various innovations in this context are needful so as to make the system cost efficient so that
average Indian farmer can install it; for such purpose various research institute of India should
have to put their efforts in it. Secondly the central government should provide subsidy to the
farmers to encourage then. Ultimately all such efforts will lead toward self-sufficiency of the
nation for food and to revive the economical background of Indian farmer.

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yield response to tillage with furrow irrigation. J. of Production Agric.
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 Klocke, N. L., J. P. Schneekloth, S. R. Melvin, R. T. Clark, J. O. Payero. 2004.
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Paper Number: 042280. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 1 - 4 August. ASAE. St.
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