BayG. A. P. SERVICE PROGRAM MODULE 3
Advantages:
• High water application efficiency
• Lower labor costs
• Minimized fertilizer / nutrient loss through targeted application
• Ability to irrigate irregular shaped fields, no leveling off the field required
• Soil type is a minor factor for irrigation frequency
• …
Disadvantages
• Higher initial cost( particularly with commercial systems)
• Clogging may appear if the water is not properly filtered
• In case of herbicide or fertilizer application, more water may be required than provided by drip irrigation
• Systems are rather difficult to be adjusted for water output regarding the irrigation demand of different crops
• Without sufficient leaching, salts may build up in the root zone
Manual Irrigation Watering cans are still widely used, though it is a very basic way of irrigation. It requires a lot of manual work, particularly with large fields, but physical effort by field workers can be reduced by a carry-pole across the shoulders.
Two bigger watering cans can be carried by one field worker; a showerhead can be applied on the outlet of watering cans to create a“ sprinkler effect”( see picture).
With watering cans, the field worker is able to adapt irrigation to local demands( crops / soil) and can control water application spot-wise.
Advantages:
• High water efficiency, less evaporation through adaptable output
• Well targeted irrigation
• Can be constructed with locally available material
• Low investment costs
• Germination is supported through tailorable irrigation during that phase
• …
Disadvantages:
• Labor intensive
• Highly manual( and exhaustive) work
• Potential clogging if the water is not properly filtered
• Salt deposits may appear at locally increased irrigation
• …
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