Question

Define irrigation, its various methods and explain its two methods which conserve water.

Answer 1

Hint: Irrigation is the main source of water in which water drains underground through pores of soil or channels between them. Irrigation is application of water to the plant in the required amount to grow them well. It helps in maintaining agricultural crops, it prevents soil consolidation i.e. prevent soil from making stronger or more solid, maintain landscape, etc .
There are various sources of water for irrigation such as wells, ponds, lakes, canals, tube-wells, and even dams. Irrigation gives moisture required for growth and development, germination of seed, and other related functions nutrients can also be supplied by irrigation.

Complete answer:Various methods of irrigation
There are various types of irrigation practised for improving crop yield such as Surface Irrigation, Localized Irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation, Drip Irrigation, Centre Pivot Irrigation, Sub Irrigation etc. These types of irrigation systems are largely practised by farmers nowadays. Based on the different types of soils, climates, crops and resources and other factors farmers choose one of these types for irrigation.

Two Methods of irrigation : There are main two methods of irrigation
i.e. Traditional Methods and Modern Methods
1. Traditional Methods :
Traditional methods involve manual work. The farmer by himself or by using an animal pulls out water from a well or canal. This method can vary in different regions. This is a cheaper method, but inefficient due to uneven distribution of water. The loss of water is high. Examples of the traditional system are pulley system, lever system, chain pump. The pump system is the most commonly and widely used.
2. Modern Methods
The modern method overcomes the disadvantages of traditional methods and helps in conserving water from unwanted loss.
The modern method involves two systems: Sprinkler system and Drip system
1. Sprinkler irrigation System
Sprinkler system is used where the availability of water is less. in this system perpendicular pipes having rotating nozzles at the top and these pipes connected at regular intervals to the main pipeline which supplies water. In this method water allows flow under pressure through the main pipeline which is connected to the pump and comes out from rotating nozzles in such a way that it gets sprinkled over the crops and helps in an even distribution of water.
2. Drip irrigation System
In this system water is saved in large amounts. This method is largely used in fruit farming , gardening and for trees. In this method the water is supplied to plant through a pipe in drop by drop manner at the roots of the plants. This method is also used where the availability of water is less or having less rainfall in that area.

Note:Plants or seed get destroyed in excess of water thus irrigation must be used when it is required.Unnecessary irrigation may lead to loss of water along with the loss of plants.