43.2.7. Irrigation Requirement

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the acronym IR stand for in agriculture?

   Hint

   Think about what water is needed for crop growth.

2. 2.

   Define effective rainfall.

   Hint

   What part of rainfall directly helps crops?

3. 3.

   What does IR stand for?

   • Irrigation Requirement
   • Irrigation Rate
   • Irrigation Resource

   Hint

   Think about its role in agriculture.

4. 4.

   True or False: Effective rainfall includes deep percolation losses.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider what effective rainfall means.

5. 5.

   A farmer analyzes their crop and finds that through season rainfall they receive an average of 150mm of effective rainfall, but their crop needs 350mm for optimal growth. Calculate the irrigation requirement and discuss alternative strategies if IR exceeds 200mm.

   Hint

   Focus on the difference between WR and ER and think creatively about solutions.

6. 6.

   Assume the water requirement for a newly planted orchard is calculated at 500mm; if only 200mm of effective rainfall is anticipated, suggest how the farmer can optimize water resources while keeping the irrigation requirement within sustainable limits.

   Hint

   Think of methods to use water efficiently and sustainably.