|
IRRIGATION-WATER USE EFFICIENCY
The
irrigation-water use efficiency with the present method of furrow/flood
irrigation followed by the farmers is very low. There is excessive use of
irrigation water with this method resulting in high leaching losses of water and
also of the nutrients particularly that of nitrogen along with water. In this
method, it is always advisable to apply light and frequent irrigations rather
than a few heavy irrigations. The water use efficiency can be improved with the
other two methods viz. the sprinkler and drip/trickle irrigation. In areas
having limited irrigation water, these two methods can be used and where the
land topography is undulating, sprinkler irrigation has proved more useful.
Adoption of plasticulture also helps in conserving moisture and reducing
irrigation requirements greatly. This technology is being used extensively in
countries like China and can also be adopted in India in areas having limited
irrigation water availability.
|