Methods of Irrigation

1. Flood irrigation:

• In Flood irrigation method, free flow of irrigation water is allowed in the fields in all directions.
• It is practiced in the flat planted cane, but water loss is high.

Large furrow system:

• In this system, water is directed between the rows of the crop and permitted to soak down to the roots of the plants.
• The length of each row is determined by soil permeability and by the steepness of the slope.
• On slopes of up to 0.1% this system is quite successful.

Wakhura system:

• It consists of small beds with ridges in them.
• Both the ends of ridges open to allow free movement of water from one furrow to another.
• This method is useful in places where the quantity of water is restricted and the field has mild slope.

Contour furrows system:

• In this system, furrows are made along adjusted contour lines.
• It is popular in regions where land is undulating, especially in Maharashtra.

Serpentine method:

• This consists of formation of big ridges and furrows after about 3 months of planting (prior to the grand growth period) and the furrows are inter-connected in the shape of a serpent.
• The water is let in at one end virtually comes out after irrigating the entire field.
• This method is practiced on adsali crop of Maharashtra and north Karnataka and eksali crop in Belgaum region.

Alternate skip furrow method:

• In skip-furrow method, sugarcane is planted in flat beds as usual and after germination, 45 cm wide and 15 cm deep furrows were made in alternate inter row spaces.
• There is considerable saving of water in this method of irrigation.
• In Autumn planting, there are 7 irrigations in plains (5 before rain and 2 after rain)
• In spring planting, there are 6 irrigations (4 before rain and 2 after rain) - one irrigation at tillering is must.
• For Tarai area- there are 3 to 4 irrigation, 2-3 before rain and one after rain.