Lecture 2: CLASS - VIII: SCIENCE: CROPS -2: IRRIGATION

CLASS VIII   |    SCIENCE    |    CHAPTER 1

      Notes prepared by Subhankar Karmakar

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SCIENCE: CLASS VIII CBSE (CLASS NOTES)

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• IRRIGATION

The process of supplying water to crop plants in the fields is called irrigation. 

• Why is Irrigation Necessary: 

1. Irrigation before ploughing the fields makes the soil soft due to which ploughing of fields becomes easier.

2. Irrigation is necessary to provide moisture for the germination of seeds. This is because seeds do not grow in dry soil.

3. Irrigation is necessary to maintain the moisture of soil for healthy crop growth so as to get good yield.

4. Irrigation is necessary for the absorption of nutrient elements by the plants from the soil.

5. Water supplied to the crops during irrigation protects the crop plants from hot air currents as well as frost.

• Factors Affecting Irrigation Requirements of Crops:

The irrigation requirements of crops depend on three factors:

• 1) Nature of the crop
• 2) Nature of the soil, and 
• 3) Season.

• NATURE OF THE CROP: 

Paddy crop is transplanted in standing water and requires continuous irrigation where as other other crops like wheat, gram, cotton etc. do not require so much water. Hence irrigation depends upon the nature of the crops.

• NATURE OF THE SOIL: 

There are two types of soil on which the crops are grown, (a) Sandy soil and (b) Clayey soil. The crops grown in a Sandy soil need irrigation more frequently where as the frequency of irrigation for the crops grown in a Clayey soil is comparatively less.

• SEASON: 

The frequency of irrigation of the crops is higher in summer season.

• SOURCES OF IRRIGATION:

Crops are supplied water for irrigation from different sources like: Rivers, Canals, Wells, Tube-wells, Dams, Ponds and Lakes.

• TRADITIONAL METHODS OF IRRIGATION:

The various traditional methods of irrigation are:

i) Most (Pulley system),

ii) Chain pump,

iii) Dhekli, and

iv) Rahat ( Lever system)

• MODERN METHODS OF IRRIGATION:

The two main modern methods of irrigation are:

(a) Sprinkler system, and

(b) Drip System.

• SPRINKLER SYSTEM:

In the sprinkler system of irrigation, a main pipeline is laid in the fields. Perpendicular pipes having rotating nozzles at the top are joined to the main pipeline at regular intervals. When water from a tube- well is allowed to flow through the main pipeline under pressure with the help of a pump, it escapes from the rotating nozzles. This water gets sprinkled on the crop plants. It is more useful for the uneven land where sufficient water is not available. It is also useful for Sandy soil.

• DRIP SYSTEM:

In the drip irrigation system, there is a network of narrow pipes with small holes, in the fields. When water flows through the narrow pipes, it falls drop by drop at the position of roots of the plants. This water is absorbed by the soil in the root zone of the plants and utilised by the plants. There is no wastage of water in this type of Irrigation. Drip system is the best technique for watering fruit plants, trees and gardens.

• ADVANTAGES OF DRIP SYSTEM:

Drip Irrigation system has the following advantages:

(a) Drip system provides water to plants drop by drop. So, water is not wasted.

(b) Drip system minimises the use of water in agriculture. So, drip system of irrigation is very useful in those regions where the availability of water is poor.