- 2062 Baisakh (old course) · 4 marks
Advantages of surface and sub-surface irrigation
Short answer
Surface irrigation: low cost, simple, but efficiency40-60%, high evaporation, levelling needed, labour-intensive. Sub-surface irrigation: high efficiency70-80%, no surface evaporation or cultivation hindrance, but costly, limited to suitable soil/topography, risk of salt accumulation and clogging.
Write down the advantages and disadvantages of surface and sub-surface irrigation.
| Aspect | Surface irrigation | Sub-surface irrigation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low initial cost | High initial cost |
| Water use | Efficiency 40-60% | Efficiency 70-80% |
| Evaporation | High | Very small |
| Land needs | Levelling needed | Flat land, high water table |
| Farm operations | Disturbed by channels | Not disturbed |
| Salinity risk | Moderate | High if drainage is poor |
| Skill needed | Little | More technical skill |
Surface irrigation
Advantages: simple, cheap, uses gravity (no energy), suits most crops and soils, easy to operate and learn. Disadvantages: low efficiency, runoff and percolation losses, levelling is needed, waterlogging and erosion on slopes, labour-intensive, weeds grow in wet channels.
Sub-surface irrigation
Advantages: saves water, no surface evaporation, no hindrance to cultivation, no weeds on the surface, good aeration and uniform moisture. Disadvantages: high cost, limited to special soil and topography, salt accumulation, pipes clog or get damaged by roots, control and checking of water distribution is difficult.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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