Lesson Structure:  Irrigation BAG213

There are 10 lessons:

1  Introduction to Irrigation

• Sources of water
• Soil & water
• How to improve water quality

2  Soil Characteristics & Problems

• Understanding soils
• Different soils are suited to different purposes
• Sodicity, pH and salinity
• Drainage, infiltration and uniformity

3 Estimating Plant Needs & Irrigation Scheduling

• When to irrigate
• Measuring water availability to plant
• Rooting depths of plants
• Irrigation calculations
• Estimating water requirements of plants
• Crop scheduling
• Water volumes and duration

4  Drainage

• Waste water treatment using reed beds
• Suitable plants
• Drainage
• Dams/Water storage
• Improving soils
• Erosion

5  Types of Irrigation Systems

• Traveling Sprinklers
• Conventional Systems
• Sprinkler Heads
• Flood Irrigation Systems
• Water Volumes & Duration

6  Trickle Systems

• Trickle Irrigation
• Microjet Irrigation Provides Many of the Answers
• Maintaining your Trickle Irrigation
• Trickle Irrigation: Prevention Of Clogging

7  Design Specifications

• Hydraulics

8  Pumps & Filters

• Comparison of pump heads
• Pumps & Pressure Systems
• Controllers
• Pumps

9  Selecting the Right System For a Plant

• Flood irrigation
• Sprinkler irrigation
• Trickle irrigation
• Irrigation of vines
• Efficient orchard irrigation

10 Design & Operation of Systems.

• Cyclic watering
• Pulse watering
• Sprinkler spacing
• Electrical factors
• Electric automatic systems

Learning Goals:  Irrigation BAG213

• Explain the significance of soil in irrigation.
• Explain how to determine when to irrigate in agricultural situations.
• Manage irrigation in agricultural situations.
• Explain the significance of different aspects of moving water including: drainage, pumps, filters, storage, recirculation, and re-use.
• Select an appropriate irrigation system for a given agricultural situation.
• Explain the principles of design for a simple irrigation system.
• Design a simple irrigation system.
• Oversee the installation of an irrigation system.

TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

CATEGORIES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Irrigation systems can be designed to supply water for a wide range of irrigation applications, and many different types of irrigation are used around the world. Generally speaking, irrigation can be categorized into broad two categories:

• Gravity surface flooding systems (flood irrigation)
• Hillside flooding
• Border check
• Furrow irrigation
• Pressurised systems
• Sprinkler Irrigation – Hand move, side-roll and end-tow, long lateral, permanent sprinklers, travelling irrigators, low-level sprinklers, and Centre pivot and linear move
• Drip irrigation
• Micro-irrigation – micro-jets and mini-sprinklers.

These systems can also be described on the basis of whether they are surface or sub-surface irrigation systems.

Sub-surface irrigation – usually takes the form of dripper lines placed under the soil surface within the root-zone of the plants being irrigated. This form of irrigation is used in cropping enterprises, orchards etc, but is also useful for applications in amenity horticulture where soil disturbance is minimal or avoidable (e.g. lawns and beds for perennial plants).

Surface irrigation – takes the form of flooding cropping areas or the sprinkler application of water to the surface of the land. Rice production is a notable example of an agriculture form that uses flood surface irrigation. While some applications of this form of irrigation can have additional benefits such as weed control, it requires high volumes of water.

Crops such as soybeans can be watered by flood irrigation, but most crops could show a yield
decline if water stays on the crop too long or if the soil stays in a waterlogged condition for several days.

FLOOD IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

This involves flooding water into areas where the distribution of the water can be controlled, usually by having formed the earth into shapes which restrict the direction and extent of flow. Flood irrigation is used extensively in many countries throughout the world, primarily because it is inexpensive to develop and to operate.

Surface flood irrigation has traditionally made inefficient use of water (suffering a lot of wastage through seepage, evaporation etc), but those losses were outweighed by savings on manpower and equipment.

Relatively new developments in flood irrigation techniques have however greatly improved the efficiency of this type of irrigation.

Better land forming, and more accurate grading using laser levelling equipment, new design concepts, recycling of drainage water, better ‘dethridge’ wheels etc. all contribute to more efficient flood irrigation. (NB: A dethridge wheel is a device which moves and measures water taken from irrigation channels).

Border Check System
This may be used in orchards, vineyards, or for pastures, lucerne, and fodder crops.
This system involves creating a series of side by side bays, usually rectangular, which are fed water from a channel running along the high side of the line of bays.

Progressively, one at a time, an opening is made in the channel wall at the top of each bay, allowing that bay to flood. Once flooded, the opening is closed, and the next bay can have an opening made. The bays and channels are formed by mounded earth walls. The gradient across the bays must be carefully engineered to allow proper distribution of water.

Hillside Flooding
Also called “contour ditch irrigation”, this system is used in hilly country which is too steep to allow other forms of flood irrigation. This system can be used on land with slopes up to 1 in 10. A supply water channel runs along the top of a slope.

This channel is opened progressively, one point at a time, along its length, allowing water to spill down the slope. The slope may need earthworks to ensure an even surface gradient, hence an even distribution of the flooding water.

Furrow Irrigation
This is the most common flood system for orchards and vineyards, and is used in row cropping of cotton, corn, sunflowers and vegetables. Water is released from a supply channel on the high side of the area to be irrigated into furrows or channels. If vines or fruit trees are planted on mounds, a natural depression is made between the rows.

This can be ploughed to form the required furrows, or the depression as it exists may be used as a furrow. Irrigation water seeps into the bottom and sides of the furrow as it flows down the slope. The aim is to get a constant depth of wetness along the length of the furrow.

This is difficult to achieve in practice as lateral movement can be restricted by poorly structured soils, also excessive application of water can also occur at the head of the furrow in order to force an adequate amount of water towards the lower end of the furrow.

PRESSURISED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Drip irrigation is becoming increasingly common in many irrigation applications. It is particularly useful for the production of small-crops such as vegetables, and is also suitable for use in gardens and landscaping situations, as well as in nurseries.

Drip irrigation is conservative of water because water is applied to a localized area, directly on the soil surface. Some soils are less suitable for drip irrigation than other soils.

Drip irrigation systems are frequently based on pre-fabricated emitter piping and some planting schemes may make effective distribution to plants difficult.

Sprinkler irrigation is the most widespread form of irrigation in agricultural applications, from intensive vegetable production to broad-acre field crop production.

Sprinkler systems can effectively deliver water in many agricultural situations, although improper use can be wasteful of water and lead to additional problems such as erosion. Many types of sprinkler systems exist, suited to a range of water quality and pressure parameters. Examples of popular sprinkler irrigators are dealt with later in this lesson.

Sprinklers may have moving parts or non moving parts and they may be portable, permanent or semipermanent:

• Portable systems:…

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Due to our years of experience and wide range of online courses, here are a list of our FAQs and Answers asked by Students.

General

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, you are not required to purchase expensive text books for any of our courses, since each module has been written by highly qualified tutors and writers, and our courses are updated on a regular basis, adding new information, methods and knowledge. You are supplied with all “essential” references. Extra books are always useful though, especially for special projects. Tutors will advise you what to buy if you decide you would like to have extra reading material, but it is not essential. Check out our eBookstore if you’re looking for a starting point.

Q. What sets the Academy apart from other institutions?
A.  A unique feature of our courses is that we combine knowledge of the subject matter with practical tasks (set tasks, found at the end of each lesson).  So you get to do practical components in each lesson. The benefits of this approach are immense: – your skills and knowledge are developed to a much higher level not normally found at other distance learning institutions.

Q. How do the practical exercises (set tasks) work?
A. The practical component of each lesson can be in the form of : Field Research, Networking and Analysis, Conducting Surveys, Growing, Collecting, Photographing and Processes.

Q. If I do a shorter course first, can I get credits towards a certificate or diploma later?
A. Yes. We will assess previous studies to give you appropriate credits.

Q. Can I pay by instalments?
A. Yes, you can view all available payment options here.

Q. Do I get a discount if two of us enrol together?
A. Yes. You may claim a 5% discount on fees if you both enrol in courses at the same time.

Q. Do I get a discount if I enrol in a second course?
A. Yes. You will be offered a 10% discount on subsequent courses you enrol for.

Q. Can I use more than one discount code when enrolling for my course?
A. No. You can only use one discount code chosen by yourself per course, when more than one is available.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however; have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are there any hidden costs?
A. There are no hidden extras – the tuition fee covers all course material, unlimited tutor support, assignment marking/feedback and any text books where specified and exams. The only extras are for the public examinations fees for the ICB Bookkeeping course and the RHS (Royal Horticulture Society) exams.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are continually updated. The course content is rapidly updated and improved without the red tape and bureaucracy experienced at other educational institutions.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. What Recognition do you have?
A. The Academy for Distance Learning has various forms of recognition:
These include TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) – an Ofqual Awarding Organisation – ADL is an approved TQUK Centre.
IARC – International Approval Registration Centre, approved member.  Accredited Training Provider for ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) and Approved Distance Learning Provider for the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and many more. Our graduates come from many parts of the world and have used our qualifications for successful employment and progression onto higher education. To view our full list  of recognition and memberships please click here,

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at the Academy our students are our priority – we treat every student as a unique individual. This philosophy allows us to nurture those who are “slow and steady” learners rather than letting them fall through the cracks, while catering for those who are in a hurry to complete.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you. You’re under no pressure to finish by a certain deadline.

Q. Completing the course- how long will it take?
A. Completion of  modules varies from student to student.  Many factors come into play  such as work commitments and family life- there are always distractions.  Some students work quicker than others.  For a 100 hour module many students will take up to 3- 6 months,  others take less time and some are even longer. It’s all up to you.  There is no pressure to complete or deadline to finish. Naturally, longer courses will take more time.

Q. What learning formats are there?
A.  Your enrollment comes with the Online Classroom study option by default. For a small additional cost you also have the options of USB or Correspondence.
USB: Your course is sent to you on a USB stick, so that you can carry it in your pocket. Ideal for those with unreliable internet connections. This option is an additional £5/module

Correspondence:  You download the course content and then print your own copy to your requirements. You can then bind the lessons to suit your needs.

Assessments

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a project instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location, or you can visit us in Canterbury, England to sit the exam if want to.  Exam fees are included in the tuition fee you paid. You can read more about the examination process here. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment. You submit it to the academy who then submits it to the tutor for marking, comments and feedback. Our policy is to have a grade for you within 5 to 7 days.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes – If you’re not happy with your work submitted you may re-submit the assignment again.

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons there would be 10 assignments. The number of lessons per module varies from module to module. See the course content from our website for further details.

Q. When do I have to hand in my first assignment?
A. There is no deadline for handing in the first assignment. Submit when you are ready. There are some students who hand in assignments within the first couple of weeks of enrolment – while there are others who submit their work 6 months later. It’s all at your own convenience to suit you. Everyone has different work and home commitments and we cater to these needs.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country; however, there may be an additional expense. We can appoint an appropriately qualified person anywhere to work through curriculum documentation supplied by us, to satisfy the requirements set down in a course.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would receive a Certificate (providing you complete all assignments and the exam). If you just want to complete the assignments only, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications awarded please click here.

Q. Is there a next level to progress to?
A. Yes – you can progress from one module to a combination of many modules and to higher qualifications i.e. Advanced Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Advanced Diplomas. Read more about course levels here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to design your own diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. It’s a very popular option and widely used by many students. You quite simply choose the appropriate number of related modules needed to complete the qualification and submit them to us for approval as a custom diploma.

Q.  What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of a 100-hour Certificate course and providing all assignments and exam have been completed, you will receive a Certificate and Transcript.  The Transcript will list your GPA.  Each 100-hour module is worth 3 credit hours.

Exams

Q. Do I have to sit for an exam?
A. Exams are optional but need to be undertaken in order to receive the Certificate or higher qualification.  Exams are one and a half hours long. You appoint an adjudicator (subject to our approval) to supervise the exam. You sit for the exam in your own location. Its that simple.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. If you feel you don’t cope well with exams you may elect to undertake a Project (set by the tutor) instead of sitting the exam.  Many students prefer this option as they find researching the material for the project sharpens their research skills.

Q. If I don’t sit for the Exam do I still get a qualification?
A. If you don’t sit for the exam but complete the project alternative, you will still receive your endorsed qualification. If you don’t sit for an exam or complete a final project, providing you have completed all the assignments you will be awarded a Certificate of Achievement.

Q. Do I have to sit for the exam at the Academy? 
A. No – whilst you are more than welcome to come to our location in Canterbury, U.K. and sit the exam in our classroom; the more popular option is to sit for the exam in your own location. You appoint an adjudicator to supervise the exam. Click here for more information on that process.

Q. Are there any exam fees?
A. There are no exam fees.  However, for some public examinations such as the ICB (Bookkeeping) and RHS courses exam fees do apply.  See course content for details.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A.  We only employ tutors who have are currently active in their industry with at least 5 years of real-world experience.  Not only are they highly qualified but also experienced, knowledgeable, and professional- experts in their chosen fields from all parts of the world.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes- you have unlimited access to tutors. We strongly encourage students to develop a dialogue with their Tutor. This is why we encourage students to submit their first assignment fairly quickly at the beginning of the course.
Every Academy student is assigned a tutor who supports you throughout your course and beyond. Your tutor is there to guide and facilitate your learning and provides as much or as little individual contact as you would like. When you submit your coursework the tutor will give you feedback that helps you develop your ideas and provides motivation. For those who do like to have interaction with other students, the ADL discussion forum connects you to students from all over the world.

Q. How do I contact my tutor?
A. You have direct contact with your tutor by email through the Online Classroom. Alternatively, you can write, fax, email, or phone the academy. Leave a message if your tutor isn’t available and they will phone, write or fax back; whatever suits you.

Q. If I don’t agree with / like my tutor can I request a change?
A. Yes – we try to accommodate and meet student’s needs and a change of tutor may be arranged.

Q. If I don’t understand a question or a lesson may I contact the tutor?
A. You may contact a tutor as often as you like. There is no additional charge or restriction on this service.  Contact can be made via the Student Zone, email, or by phone.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.