The foundation of every productive crop is fertile soil. A nutrient-rich, healthy soil allows wheat, maize, soy, and any other crop the optimal environment to grow. One other key element to growing crops is water – not too little and not too much.

An effective way to ensure crops receive adequate water is to use the right irrigation system.

Types of Irrigation Systems

An irrigation system features water pumps, tubes, and sprays. When rain is insufficient and natural water sources are scarce, an efficient irrigation system delivers water and nutrients to your crops.

Although an irrigation system will cost considerable money, with larger systems typically costing more per acre, the expense will outweigh the benefits. Even if you were to spend on, for example, water pump repair, the cost could still be minimal considering how it will improve crop growth and yield.

What irrigation systems are available in the market?

1. Micro Irrigation Systems

Micro irrigation distributes water evenly, using low-volume and low-pressure devices. These devices then control the output of water.

Drip irrigation and micro sprinkler irrigation are types of micro irrigation systems. The most popular of the two is the drip type, which consists of a network of tubes that have emitters (i.e., small holes). Vineyards, orchards, and farms producing high-value crops (e.g., tomatoes, peppers, and strawberries) use this type of irrigation system.

You can install this system above or beneath the soil surface, running it daily during growing season and dry weather.

Many farms use micro irrigation systems, particularly drip irrigation for the following reasons:

• The continuous flow of water allows for deep penetration into the soil and absorption in the roots.
• Designed to run no more than 12 hours per day, a drip system prevents soil saturation and erosion, and nutrient runoff.
• Drip uses 30% to 50% less water than other irrigation systems.

2. Traveling Gun Systems

A traveling gun irrigation system distributes water via a large sprinkler anchored on a moving cart. The cart moves mechanically across fields, irrigating a radius of 80 to 250 feet at 100 and 600 gallons per minute.

Traveling gun systems come in two types:

• Cable-tow traveler, a versatile irrigation system that’s suitable for a range of field sizes and slopes, and crops (except for low-growing ones, like peanuts).
• Hose-pull traveler, a machine that’s more expensive than the cable-tow type since it can irrigate more acreage.

3. Center Pivot Irrigation Systems

Another widely used irrigation system, the center pivot uses a central pipe with outlets that rotate around a central pivot point. Think of a lawn sprinkler system, but on a massive scale.

Since this system pivots around a circular area, it is best for round or square fields. Although a towable center pivot can be used on some irregular-shaped fields, the required labor to move the machine may be costly.

Among its advantages are:

• Coverage for large areas is finished in a short period.
• Low-pressure operation conserves energy.
• Water distribution is even.

4. Solid and Permanent Set Irrigation Systems

Solid set irrigation consists of portable, aboveground pipes with sprinklers that are spaced at gaps along the pipe. Permanent set irrigation systems, on the other hand, are buried pipes with evenly spaced sprinklers fixed on risers. Both systems are ideal for high-value crops and smaller acreage.

Farms that produce peaches, blueberries, strawberries, apples, and pecans use permanent set irrigation as under-tree sprinklers and overhead systems.

Labor requirements, to move or operate, for both systems are minimal. In terms of cost, permanent set irrigation can be expensive at initial cost per acre, but it can be easy to automate.

5. Linear Move Irrigation Systems

The linear move irrigation type resembles the center pivot system, but it moves differently. Instead of circulating, a linear system moves laterally across fields. It’s a system that’s suitable for square fields with a minimal slope, ideally at a maximum of 4%.

A guidance mechanism allows the system to move along fields in a straight line, using an aboveground cable or responding to radio signals from a buried cable. More sophisticated systems follow a GPS.

6. Sprinkler Irrigation System

The sprinkler is probably the more familiar type of irrigation since most suburban homes use them for their gardens or backyard farms.

The system uses a series of pipes that distribute a fine spray of water across fields. With proper spacing, sprinklers can deliver water evenly and irrigate all crops.

Much like drip irrigation, sprinklers are low-cost systems that are easy to install. But they will need high volumes of water at high pressure. If you have a larger farm, you’ll need a larger supply of water, from a pond or a well.

Choosing Your Irrigation System

Other than factoring field characteristics (from land slope and shape to acreage), soil type, climate and weather conditions, crops, and water source are all critical elements to choosing the right system for your farm.

Farms with a land slope may need a system that enables irrigation against a slope gradient. Otherwise, crops at higher elevations may receive less water and crops at lower elevations could drown in too much water.

Efficient irrigation is not entirely up to the type of system you install. How well it waters your crops also depends on how you use it.

Do you run it according to a schedule that matches the watering needs of your crops? Production will be at its highest when your crops have the optimum conditions to thrive.

Are you using an operating system that monitors, controls, and senses irrigation? A computer program can help you do those things. Through smart irrigation technology, which uses weather data or soil moisture data, you can determine when and just how much irrigation your crops will need. This innovative approach to farming allows you to reduce water waste while ensuring the health of your crops.

Other factors to consider when choosing your system are labor requirements to run and maintain it, and fuel cost.

The best irrigation system depends on a number of factors, not the least of which is the initial cost, so take your time in considering the various options.