SS2 Lesson Note on the Irrigation System: Meaning; Importance and Problems of Irrigation

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TOPIC:           IRRIGATION SYSTEM

CONTENT:

1. Meaning, Importance and Problems of Irrigation
2. Types of Irrigation Systems

SUB TOPIC 1:   Meaning and Importance of Irrigation System

Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil for the purpose of supplying moisture for plant growth. This is because water is the most important determining factor in crop production

IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. Provision of moisture necessary for plant growth
2. It increases yield of crops
3. It improves microbial decomposition of organic matter to release crop nutrients
4. It cools the soil temperature in the hot and dry season
5. It reduces harmful accumulated salt in the soil
6. It makes for all year round cultivation and crop production
7. It facilitates seed germination and enable the crops to be well established when rainfall is not steady
8. It reduces the hazard of soil caking
9. It stabilizes the farmer’s economy since production is not seasonal or erratic

PROBLEMS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM

1. It is capital intensive
2. High technical know-how is required
3. Excess salt in the water may lead to excess salt accumulation in such soil
4. It may aid disease transmission and breeding of vectors
5. It may result to environmental pollution.

EVALUATION

1. What is irrigation?
2. State the importance of irrigation to the farmers

SUB TOPIC 2: TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM

There are three main types of irrigation. They are:

1. SURFACE IRRIGATION: This is an irrigation system whereby water is directed through surface channels to flow into the farm. Water is conveyed from the water source such as stream, river or dam to farmland. This method is further subdivided into the following types:
2. Uncontrolled or Wild Flooding: it is the earliest method used on smooth land with regular and moderate slope. In other words water is allowed to flow freely from field ditches into the farm without bonds to check its flow. It is practice in areas where water is in abundant supply and readily available.
3. Border (Basin) Irrigation: this is refers to controlled flooding of farmland. Flood water from water source is channeled into the farmland with bunds at interval to control the water flow.
4. c. Furrow Irrigation: this is a type of control flooding where water is allowed to flow through the furrow between ridges while crops grow on the ridges.

ADVANTAGES OF SURFACE IRRIGATION

1. It is easy and cheap to construct and maintain
2. It improves the activities of soil microbes
3. It can be used on large farm
4. Water is evenly distributed over the farm
5. It does not require high technical skill

DISADVANTAGES OF SURFACE IRRIGATION

a . Some crops cannot tolerate heavy flooding

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