Fundamentals of Irrigation Methods and Their Impact on Crop Production

Abstract

Water is the most precious resource on earth which is the sustenance of life. However, the competition for available water resources has intensified due to climate change and increase in global population. With a significant decrease in freshwater availability for crop production, agriculturists are open to innovation that could help save water and maximize crop production per unit drop of water. To ensure food security of a growing population, crop cultivation practices have continued to incorporate water-saving irrigation techniques to cope with water deficits, and increase crop production in an eco-friendly environment. This chapter discussed the different irrigation types based on driven-force and their specific advantages; fertigation; designing irrigation systems and scheduling of irrigation; water conservation through mulching; and water management for sustainable Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The introduction of water-saving techniques and their successful application has significantly reduced water loss through unproductive outflows and increase water and nutrients use efficiencies thereby promoting crop production. However, to achieve more success in the future, deliberate policy by government on irrigation and immense contributions from scientists would be required.