Water is the basic requirement of any plant. As we know plants are autotrophic. They can make their food by photosynthesis. Water is one of the basic ingredient of photosynthesis.
To provide water to a Plant by artificial means is known as irrigation. Water is one of the major natural recourse. Year by year, the graph of average annual rainfall is declining. The water resources are limited but their need is limitless. India is the second-largest populated country after China. To feed a large population by using limited resources is a challenge for us. Using minimum resources to get optimum yield will move towards sustainability. Among all the crop management practices, Irrigation plays a very important role. Timely and optimum water is very important. Since agriculture started, we are following several methods of irrigation like Flood irrigation, Sprinkler irrigation, water channels etc. These methods require a high amount of water, but the major problem begins when only 5 to 10% of water utilizes by the plant, the remaining water flows as a waste.
To reduce the water loss and for its efficient management, Israel introduced the concept of Drip irrigation. It is also known as Trickle irrigation. In drip irrigation, the water is applied in the form of small drops directly in the root zone of the plant. In drip irrigation, the discharge rate of water per dripper is generally 1 to 4 liter per hour. The water diffuses by capillary action in the soil.
It consists a main pipelines, sub mains lateral and emitters. The irrigation interval is 1 to 4 days. In this way, drip irrigation saves 50 to 70 % water and even more. Drip irrigation is most suitable for widely spaced crops, vegetables and orchards like apple, mango, lemon, tomato, brinjal, cotton etc.
Benefits of Drip Irrigation
· It is well suited for acute water shortage areas.
· Minimum water loss in the form of deep percolation surface runoff and evaporation.
· No land leveling is required.
· The salt concentration is less even in salty soil due to high moisture content.
· Herbicide and fertilizer can be applied to the crop by solubilizing it into irrigation. Herbigation is herbicide + irrigation and Fertigation is fertilizer application through irrigation.
· Several diseases spread through irrigation water from one plant to another. In drip irrigation, fewer diseases and weed infestation occur.
There are a few disadvantages of drip irrigation too;
· Clogging of emitters
· Damage of lateral system due to rodents and other animals.
· The high initial cost for an installment of set up
· Salt accumulated near the plant due to insufficient water for leaching.