Which irrigation systems provide the most efficient water usage for sustainable agriculture?

All irrigation systems can be efficient or inefficient. It depends on how well they are designed, whether they have been properly installed, if maintenance is kept up and most importantly how well the system is managed. Viewing one system as inherently more efficient than others is misleading.

Drip Irrigation method of irrigation is more sustainable as with this we can achieve water use efficiency upto 95 per cent and have multiple positive impact on increase in yield ( productivity ) and quality of produce .

In my opinion, Drip irrigation is the best method. It helps farmers to manage the scare resource”WATER”. It helps farmer 1. Saving of Water 2. Efficiency of Nutrient application 3. Efficient use of resources viz.Labour 4. More area coverage with same qty of water 5.Suitability of crop inputs use through system “chemigation” Traditionally Farmers irrigate the soil rather plant. While drip irrigation system helps to irrigate the plant ( roots) and not soil. Application of fertilizer (technical Irrigation) is easy when plant is in need due to environmental conditions specifically during rain , saturated conditions where water needs are less but nutrients are deprived due to leaching of nutrients

Drip irrigation is not always the best choice in temperate areas with early season irrigation needs and annual crops. If the depth of the drip irrigation system is below the crop roots early in the season, it will reduce efficiency since water doesnt wick upwards

I agree that drip irrigation is often the most effective and cost-efficient method. However, in any project, it's important to consider factors like crop type, water source quality, soil characteristics, energy costs, labor costs, and the end user's experience. For instance, bananas are irrigated with drip lines in some parts of the world, while in Latin America, they use under-canopy sprinklers. Both methods yield good results with region-specific advantages and disadvantages. For open-field crops on flat, large areas, center pivots may be most effective. Ultimately, a tailor-made solution ensures sustainability and efficient resource usage.

It really depands on the crop and the system the farmer can afford. Saying that one system will always be the best for all crops and all farmers is a bit immature, unless you are a sells man/woman of one of them

Na minha experiência com cultivo irrigado de cana-de-a?úcar, mesmo sendo menos eficiente que o gotejamento, o sistema de irriga??o por aspers?o possui um custo menor de implanta??o. Outra característica da irriga??o por aspers?o é a versatilidade da estrutura, permitindo o deslocamento de materiais, diferentemente da irriga??o por gotejamento, que é fixo. Assim, tanto o custo de implanta??o mais atraente, quanto a versatilidade da estrutura possibilitam ao produtor rural suprir a demanda hídrica de uma área maior com os mesmos recursos financeiros.

O sistema de irriga??o por piv? central é uma técnica eficiente para irrigar áreas circulares de terrenos agrícolas. Sua praticidade está na capacidade de cobrir grandes áreas com baixo esfor?o de m?o de obra. No entanto, a eficiência no uso da água pode variar de acordo com diversos fatores, como a velocidade do piv?, os tipos de bicos utilizados e a programa??o dos ciclos de irriga??o. Uma gest?o adequada é fundamental para evitar o desperdício de água e garantir uma distribui??o uniforme de umidade nas planta??es.

Precision Sprinklers: Centre-pivot, pressurized drip, and gravity-powered micro-irrigation offer water savings and yield enhancement.

Soil Moisture Sensors (Wireless Sensor Devices-WSDs): Adjust watering schedules based on real-time soil moisture levels, ensuring efficient water use.

Si es excelente para algunos cultivos. Considero que es el mejor sistema de riego inventado para cultivos especiales o tb se puede pensar en zonas super áridas combinar dos sistemas de riego distintos.

Dentre os critérios mais importantes para ado??o da irriga??o por sulco, est?o a declividade do terreno, sistematiza??o e tipo do solo, comprimento de sulco e potencial de evapora??o da água. A sistematiza??o do terreno, tipo de solo e a declividade s?o fundamentais para a uniformidade e eficiência da lamina de irriga??o; Já o comprimento do sulco, quanto menor for, maior será o custo da constru??o e manuten??o da estrutura de drenagem, importante para o controle da umidade e conserva??o do solo. Por fim, o potencial de evapora??o associado a uma aplica??o excessiva de água pode levar o solo à saliniza??o, visto que a água contem sais minerais que se acumulam no solo após o processo de evapora??o, reduzindo a sua capacidade produtiva.

Ultimately, water recycling systems serve as a crucial component in capturing runoff and surplus irrigation water for reuse, enhancing conventional irrigation practices by reducing total water usage. By collecting and storing runoff in ponds or tanks, water can be repurposed for future irrigation needs. This sustainable approach not only conserves water but also contributes to nutrient management within the farm ecosystem, promoting a comprehensive approach to water management in agriculture.

Smart Resource Conservation Farming: Integrates water harvesting, micro-irrigation, and conservation practices to enhance water-use efficiency in agriculture.

Overall idea should be to use different irrigation for different crops . Use the one which suits crops , availability of water and soil types . Some times cost of irrigation is also important . There is no point in excess irrigation and wasting water if crop require limited irrigation . For fruit and veg Drip May be the best fit . For lawns sprinkler may be better . Some select crops drench may save crop ( No ground water and extreme heat ) . Also irrigation at critical stage is important to ensure it help crops are able to absorb more nutrition. Irrigation is the least understood concept in agriculture . Right time , right application method and right quantity of irrigation can help farmer fetch bountiful and quality harvest .

Customised irrigation methods need to follow based on cropping systems and water requirement and water availability. In case horticulture most fitted irrigation method is drip. For airport lawns and specific landscapes and row crops sprinkler irrigation is right choice

Drip and sprinkler systems are highly recommended for sustainable agriculture due to their efficiency in water usage and their ability to reduce carbon emissions.Ths methods deliver water directly to the plant roots,minimizing water waste and evaporation.This not only conserves water but also reduces the energy needed for water pumping,thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Farmers benefit economically from adopting these sustainable practices through carbon credits.By implementing methods that reduce carbon emissions and sequester carbon in the soil, farmers can earn carbon credits,which can be sold in carbon markets.This provides an additional revenue stream,incentivizing the adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices

It has been my experience to start a direct seeded crop with sprinklers. Either at bed up or when beds are shaped for planting to inject tape. There are very experienced irrigation crews that use drip to germinate crops, they have to lead water meeds not wait or they will crop. Sprinklers give that flexibility, by having tape injected prior to germination and deep enough to cultivate and not damage tape puts a grower days to weeks ahead of surface laid tape. Also gives a grower the added flexibility to fertigate instead of top or side dressing in fertilizer. Not only is there conservative of water, but a more directed placement of fertilizer and reduction of said fertilizer used. By using drip tape a grower can see 38 to 41% water savings.

For Sustainability, Solar Operated Irrigation is a good investment. Cost effective and is good for the environment, user friendly and can be operated remotely.