Question

Which of the following method likely to be used where the water supply is limited and the market value of the crop is high ?

• A. Sprinkler irrigation
• B. Drip irrigation
• C. Furrow irrigation
• D. Surface irrigation

Hint:

Drip irrigation also allows for 'fertigation'—applying water-soluble fertilizers directly through the irrigation lines, which improves both water and nutrient use efficiency.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Selecting an irrigation method depends on water availability, soil type, terrain, and the economic value of the cultivated crop.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the suitability of the irrigation methods provided:
1. Drip Irrigation (B): This micro-irrigation method delivers water slowly and directly to the plant root zone through emitters.
It achieves the highest water use efficiency ($85-95\%$) by minimizing evaporation, runoff, and deep percolation losses.
Because of the high initial cost of installing tubing, filters, and emitters, drip irrigation is economically viable primarily for high-value horticultural crops (such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers).
It is highly suited for arid, water-scarce regions growing high-value crops.
2. Sprinkler Irrigation (A): While more efficient than surface irrigation, it has higher evaporation losses than drip systems and is generally used for medium-density crops.
3. Furrow (C) and Surface Irrigation (D): These methods have low water use efficiency ($35-50\%$) due to high runoff and deep percolation, making them unsuitable for water-scarce regions or high-value crops.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The preferred method under limited water and high crop value conditions is Drip irrigation, corresponding to option (B).