Which of the following the advantages of practicing drip irrigation? (IBPS AFO 2015)

✅Explanation: Drip irrigation offers the advantages of reducing weed growth, as water is directly supplied to the plant roots, minimizing moisture availability for weed germination. Additionally, it helps in the reduction of soil erosion since the water is applied directly to the root zone, preventing surface runoff.

🔑Key Points:

Drip irrigation

– It is also called trickle irrigation is used in areas with water scarcity and salt problems.

– It involves the slow application of water, drop by drop to the root zone of a crop, water seeps from these holes drop by drop, hence the name drip irrigation.

– Water-saving 50-70% as compared to surface irrigation.

– The difference in water delivery rate between extreme emitters should not exceed 10%

– Water discharge rate is generally 1-4 lit/hr. at 1.5-2.5 kg/cm2 pressure.

– The water use efficiency of drip irrigation is 95%

– Most suitable for widely spaced crops, orchards trees, and greenhouses.

• Advantage of drip irrigation:

– ​​Increased water use efficiency

– High crop yield

– Uniform and better quality of the produce

– Efficient and economic use or fertilizer through fertigation

– Less weed growth

– Minimum damage to the soil structure and reduction in soil erosion

– Usage in undulating areas and slowly permeable soil

– Low energy requirement i.e. labor-saving