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 What is Surface Irrigation and tell about Basin Irrigation and its implementation?

       In this article, I will define the Surface Irrigation. Also, tell you about types of Surface Irrigation methods. I will illustrate the method of basin irrigation with its dependence, suitability and also its advantages and disadvantages.

What is Surface Irrigation?

                       In this type of irrigation, we apply water directly to the surface of the soil by gravity flow from a channel that is located upper reach of the field. In this type of irrigation, we applied water directly to the surface of the soil by the flow of gravity. In the surface irrigation method, we can attain high efficiency only when we take care of the proper distribution of water and also through proper and efficient construction work for uniform distribution of water throughout the field. But in this irrigation, we cannot attain high efficiency because it becomes a cause of water consumption due to improper distribution system.

Types of Surface Irrigation:

1. Basin Irrigation.
2. Furrow Irrigation.
3. Border Irrigation.
4. Contour Border Irrigation.

  Basin Irrigation:

                This method of irrigation is the simplest method of irrigation due to this it is most commonly used all over the world. If we converse about Pakistan, then where it is most commonly used for supplying water to the crops or fields. This method is mostly used for relatively small areas of land. In this method, the entire surface of the soil is flooded. Basins are flat areas that are surrounded by ridges or like low bunds. These bunds mostly prevent the flowing of water from one to adjacent plots of this field. In this method of irrigation entire field is divided into small unit components. Each component has the same level. There are different variations in use. For example, if we demonstrate about one to two kanals plot that has been mostly suggested, depending upon the soil type and also crops to be grown. Prevent from the runoff and unidirectional according to the movement of flow in the field.

             Ridges are constructed around the field for controlling the water quantity within the basins. We have filled the basins to the desired depth and that is retained until the water infiltrates the soil. In this type of irrigation, two common methods are commonly used like direct method and the cascade method. If we converse about Orchard then a special type of irrigation or supply of water method used for it. In any plot, for every tree, several basins may be formed. But in some cases, one basin may be made for several trees. These basins or beds are interconnected to each other.

                According to Brouwer et al, this method is suitable for all types of crops. Trees can be suitably grown in this type of irrigation. One tree can be located in the center of one small basin. Paddy rice grows best if its roots are submerged in the water. So, the basin irrigation method is best for the crop of paddy rice to use. Different crops like Alfalfa, folder crops like shaftal and cereals, groundnut, cotton, lucerne, grain are suited for this method of irrigation.

Suitability:

          The basin irrigation is used on different soil. Soil is one of the significant properties and characteristics of basic irrigation because water infiltration rate is a matter for irrigation. If we exploit this method for irrigation of land in Pakistan, then we are usually divided one-acre land into two or four components that to be irrigated by a common channel passing through the center of the land. This is mostly due to the smaller size of the stream.

                   Clay soil requires a larger basin than sandy soil. The selection of basin size depends upon the soil type and also enables the irrigator to flood the entire area of land in the proper length of time. And also the applying of irrigation and supplying of water till the desired depth and uniformity over the entire field is necessary. Field level is a prime requirement for this type of irrigation in both direct and cascade methods because the water of irrigation must be stored for infiltrating into the soil.

Advantages:

         1. Uniformly Distribution.
         2. Adequate control of water.
         3. Best for smaller flow rate.
         4. Best for small land.
         5. Highly efficient with proper design.
         6. Useful method for leaching. 
         7. Cheap cost of maintenance.
        8. Not require more labor.

Disadvantages:

        1. It utilizes more time and more energy of farm power per unit area.
        2. Due to smaller units, the corners are unplanned.
        3. Excessive loss of water in this method of irrigation.
        4. This method is not suited for all crops.
       5. Economically at the initial stage it is more expansive.