The expansion and intensification of agriculture made possible by irrigation has the potential for causing: increased erosion; pollution of surface water and groundwater from agricultural biocides; deterioration of water quality; increased nutrient levels in the irrigation and drainage water resulting in algal blooms, ...
In many areas, this usage has reduced water supplies, particularly groundwater, and has also contributed to the runoff of agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, into water supplies. Irrigation can also impact precipitation in some areas, depending on the locale, season, and prevailing winds.
Conclusion: Therefore, excessive irrigation is harmful to crops because it leads to water logging, prevents proper aeration, and ultimately suffocates the plants, hindering their growth and productivity.
Improperly designed irrigation systems could pose serious public health risks. The risk is greater when irrigation systems are used for chemical and fertilizer applications in addition to irrigation. Another risk is the pollution of freshwater sources due to the backflow of chemicals and nutrients (Bayabil et al.
The expansion and intensification of agriculture made possible by irrigation has the potential for causing: increased erosion; pollution of surface water and groundwater from agricultural biocides; deterioration of water quality; increased nutrient levels in the irrigation and drainage water resulting in algal blooms, ...
Water applied as irrigation allows for crop production in arid regions and supplements soil moisture in humid regions when growing season precipitation is insufficient. Irrigation has enhanced both the productivity and profitability of the agricultural sector.
Overwatering can result in some major problems. Overwatering your lawn can result in a shallow root system and reduced drought tolerance, more diseases, more weeds, an increase in damaging insect populations, more thatch and excessive growth, and reduced tolerance to shade and soil problems.
Apart from the salinity or the sodicity hazard, the constituents of much irrigation water may cause toxicity problems when taken up by the plants in excess amounts. The toxic constituents of major concern are sodium, chloride and boron.
It may fail to provide water during the dry summer months 2. A well can provide water only to 1 to 2 hectares of land. 3. Drawing water out is time consuming.
Globally, 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture.
Water Loss: Sprinkler systems can lose water through evaporation and wind drift, reducing overall efficiency. Energy Requirement: Sprinkler irrigation requires energy to pump water through the system, which can increase operational costs.
Excessive irrigation can affect water quality by causing erosion, transporting nutrients, pesticides, and heavy metals, or decreasing the amount of water that flows naturally in streams and rivers.
Excessive irrigation negatively affects soil health by leading to salinization and nutrient leaching. Salinization occurs when too much water causes salt to accumulate in the soil, resulting in reduced fertility.
Poor irrigation management can lead to the accumulation of salts and chemicals in the soil and water. This process is known as salinization or waterlogging. When excessive water is applied, it can cause the water table to rise, bringing salt to the surface.
Irrigation water is not considered drinking water and should not be used for drinking or food preparation. Irrigation wells are installed by a well contractor to be a certain distance from a septic system (if it exists) and are constructed to protect the water below. There are no water quality testing requirements.
It may result in excess or insufficient oxygen conditions. Also, if plants or crops are waterlogged, the uptake of nutrients and water is diminished to the extent that if waterlogging continues for more than two days in the middle of the growing season, it can result in the killing-off of plant roots.
It can lead to waterlogging, where the soil becomes saturated with water, causing reduced oxygen levels for plant roots and leading to plant stress and even death. Excessive irrigation can also contribute to soil erosion, as the excess water washes away topsoil and nutrients.
However, there are a number of other negative effects related to irrigation. Areas drenched by irrigation can become waterlogged, creating soil conditions that poison plant roots through anaerobic decomposition. Where water has been diverted, soils can accrue too much salt, also harming plant growth.
In areas that have irregular precipitation, irrigation improves crop growth and quality. By allowing farmers to grow crops on a consistent schedule, irrigation also creates more reliable food supplies. Ancient civilizations in many parts of the world practiced irrigation.
Agricultural expansion is a major driver of deforestation and other ecological destruction, decimating habitats and biodiversity. Oil palm displaces lowland forests in Indonesia while soy production damages the Cerrado and Atlantic Forests of Brazil and Paraguay.
The drawbacks of traditional methods of irrigation are: Uneven water distribution. Water logging issues. Labour-intensive.