Question

A sprinkler irrigation system is suitable when

• A. The land gradient is steep
• B. The soil is having low permeability
• C. The water table is low
• D. The crops to be grown have deep roots

Answer 1

The correct option is A The land gradient is steep

• In sprinkler irrigation method, the irrigation water is applied to the land in the form of spray, somewhat as in ordinary rain.
• The sprinkler irrigation can be used for all the crops except rice and jute and for all the soils except very heavy soils with very low in filtration rates.
• It is used mainly by cultivators of tea, coffee and vegetables.
• This method of irrigation is best suitable for very light soils as deep percolation losses are avoided.
• This system is flexible to suit undulating topography and hence land leveling is not necessary.

Advantage of sprinkler irrigation
(i) With use of sprinkler irrigation, erosion of soil can be controlled.
(ii) Uniform application of water is possible with sprinkler irrigation.
(iii) Labour cost reduced as no load preparations are required.
(iv) Does not require borders, field channel etc. & hence more land available for cropping.
(v) About 80% water application efficiency is possible.
Disadvantage of sprinkler irrigation
(i) Under widely conditions and high temperatures, the water distribution and water application efficiencies are low.
(ii) Saline water may cause leaf burns in many crops.
(iii) System is costly to install, operate and maintain.
(iv) Continuous supply of power is generally required for operating the system.