However, the distribution of water is not uniform due to more suitable time for watering at the beginning of the strip which leads to the consumption of more water. In this method, the field is surrounded by a bundle around the four sides of the plots. In this method, irrigation water is only applied to one side of the crop row/furrow.
This method saves approximately 1/3 of the irrigation water and uses the water effectively without much loss. This method can save approximately 50% of water compared to irrigating all the furrows of the crops. Drip irrigation is defined as the precise, slow application of water in the form of discrete or continuous or small streams from miniature sprinklers through mechanical devices called emitters or applicators located at selected points along water supply lines. The term drip irrigation is synonymous.
Plastic droppers inserted on the sides in the desired space (equal to the space within the row of the plant .), which control the release of the desired amount of water. A water meter is installed in the main line near the tank to measure the passing discharge. Sides: Sides are given on the main or sub-main line for each row of the crop.
In the drip side, the pressure drop between the side lines must not exceed 20% of the emitter's operating pressure.
Sub surface or sub irrigation: This method is not so famous in India. Used is dry areas to avoid water loss due to evaporation
Irrigation Status
Cropping intensity in the region is very low except in Tripura and Manipur, mainly due to lack of proper irrigation facilities in the state. Currently, the area under irrigation is 832 thousand ha., which is about 22.6% of the total irrigation potential. Besides meeting the ever-increasing demand for water, rainwater harvesting helps in reducing runoff, avoiding flooding of roads/habitat areas, increasing groundwater storage, reducing groundwater pollution, improving groundwater quality, using more water for industrial use, and reducing soil erosion.
Roof water collection in tanks: Various structures are designed to collect the rainwater from the roof of the house in a storage tank or tank for use during periods of scarcity. This method of water collection is especially preferred in hilltops where other sources of water supply are difficult. Roof water collection for groundwater collection: Excess roof rain water can be diverted to the existing open/borehole for recharging the groundwater.
Rainwater harvesting in lined ponds: Ponds of suitable size are constructed and then lined with plastic sheets such as silpolin or HDPE. Rainwater from the roof, drains or springs can be diverted into such a pond and can be used for irrigation or domestic purposes. Water harvesting ponds: There are generally three types of ponds constructed, namely, embankment type, excavated type (excavated) and excavated embankments.
Dam type ponds require less investment as there is only a strong dike to close one or two sides of the pond. In the West Khasi hills of Nongstoin, ICAR has successfully constructed a number of different types of dams.
Polythene mulching in
- Contour farming
- Mulching
- Grass cropping
- Crop rotation
- Strip cropping
- Conservation agro-forestry
Experiments conducted have proven that mulches help conserve soil moisture, which can be utilized by crop plants and thus increase crop productivity. Locally available grasses, weed species, rice straw and any other crop or plant residues can be used as mulch material. These organic materials upon decomposition also add organic matter to the soil and consequently contribute to building up the soil nutritional status.
It involves planting seeds in soil that has not yet been tilled after the harvest of the previous crop. They also save on diesel for tractors and improve the fertility and structure of the soil. This will lead to the depletion of the same nutrients in the soil over the years and also the build-up of the same pest and disease problems.
This will help to become a mulch for the soil and help reduce soil erosion and add organic matter as it decomposes. Cowpea, Sesamum, Ground Nut, Sweet Potato or Vegetables can be grown after harvesting grass in such areas. This cultivation method can be used on all slopes in areas where crops that cause soil erosion will be grown.
Some of the erosion resistant crops suitable for northeast are rice beans, groundnuts, lab lab beans, ipomea, etc. Depending on the intensity of slope, trenches can be made at intervals of 3 to 7 m along the contours. Trees with timber value like Jack, Teak, Artocarpus etc and others like Cashew, Aonla, Neem and Silver Oak can be grown in this way.
Such techniques can be used to collect rainwater in situ by allowing rainwater to percolate into the soil, thereby increasing soil moisture storage and conserving soil moisture. Raised and sunken bed system: The raised and sunken bed (RSB) system is a well-documented technology that can be used for interplots. The raised beds were leveled so that 50% of the runoff water from one half of each raised bed will flow into its intermediate submerged bed.
Newly
Crop Water Use Efficiency (CWUE)
Field Water Use Efficiency (FWUE)
Physiological Water Use Efficiency (PWUE)
