1. Concept Explanation (Exam-Focused)
Irrigation methods are the ways of applying water to the crop field.
Main objectives:
Supply required moisture to crops
Reduce water losses
Improve irrigation efficiency
Classification of Irrigation Methods
1. Surface Irrigation
Water flows by gravity over the soil surface.
Types:
Flooding
Basin irrigation
Furrow irrigation
Border strip irrigation
Used where:
Land is fairly level
Water available in large quantity
Efficiency: 40–60%
2. Sprinkler Irrigation
Water is applied in the form of rainfall using sprinklers under pressure.
Used where:
Undulating land
Sandy soils
Limited water supply
Efficiency: 60–75%
3. Drip (Trickle) Irrigation
Water is supplied drop by drop directly to root zone.
Used for:
Orchards
Vegetables
High-value crops
Efficiency: 85–95% (highest)
2. Important Formulas
Field Application Efficiency
ηa=Water stored in root zoneWater delivered to field×100\eta_a = \frac{Water\ stored\ in\ root\ zone}{Water\ delivered\ to\ field} \times 100ηa=Water delivered to fieldWater stored in root zone×100
Conveyance Efficiency
ηc=Water at fieldWater at source×100\eta_c = \frac{Water\ at\ field}{Water\ at\ source} \times 100ηc=Water at sourceWater at field×100
Overall Irrigation Efficiency
ηo=ηc×ηa\eta_o = \eta_c \times \eta_aηo=ηc×ηa
🔥 Repeated in exams
3. Short Notes / One-Liners
• Surface irrigation has maximum water loss.
• Drip irrigation has minimum evaporation loss.
• Sprinkler is best for sandy soil.
• Drip is unsuitable for saline water.
• Flooding causes water logging.
• Drip saves 40–60% water.
• Sprinkler needs high initial cost.
• Drip gives maximum crop yield per drop.
4. PYQ Patterns
Frequently Asked:
Match irrigation method with efficiency
Advantages-disadvantages
Suitable soil for each method
Which saves maximum water?
Traps:
• Confusing sprinkler & drip efficiency
• Assuming surface is cheapest & best
• Ignoring clogging problem in drip
5. Solved Examples
Example 1
Which method has highest efficiency?
Drip irrigation (85–95%)
Example 2 (Numerical)
Water delivered to field = 80 m³
Water stored in root zone = 60 m³
ηa=6080×100=75%\eta_a = \frac{60}{80} \times 100 = 75\%ηa=8060×100=75%
6. MCQs (50 Exam-Level)
Q1. The most efficient irrigation method is:
A) Surface
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q2. Surface irrigation works mainly on:
A) Pressure
B) Capillary action
C) Gravity
D) Pumping
✅ Answer: C
Q3. Sprinkler irrigation is most suitable for:
A) Clay soil
B) Sandy soil
C) Black soil
D) Saline soil
✅ Answer: B
Q4. Drip irrigation supplies water to:
A) Entire field
B) Leaves
C) Root zone
D) Canal
✅ Answer: C
Q5. Efficiency of surface irrigation is about:
A) 20–30%
B) 40–60%
C) 60–80%
D) 80–95%
✅ Answer: B
Q6. Which method reduces weed growth?
A) Flooding
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q7. High initial cost is major disadvantage of:
A) Surface
B) Sprinkler
C) Drip
D) Furrow
✅ Answer: C
Q8. Which method is best for undulating land?
A) Flooding
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Border
✅ Answer: C
Q9. Water logging occurs mostly in:
A) Drip
B) Sprinkler
C) Surface
D) Furrow
✅ Answer: C
Q10. Clogging problem is associated with:
A) Flood irrigation
B) Basin irrigation
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q11. Drip irrigation saves water mainly by reducing:
A) Percolation
B) Evaporation
C) Transpiration
D) Seepage
✅ Answer: B
Q12. Which method requires pumping?
A) Surface
B) Sprinkler
C) Basin
D) Border
✅ Answer: B
Q13. Best irrigation method for orchards:
A) Flooding
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q14. Overall irrigation efficiency is maximum in:
A) Surface
B) Sprinkler
C) Drip
D) Basin
✅ Answer: C
Q15. Surface irrigation is unsuitable when:
A) Land is level
B) Water is abundant
C) Soil is permeable
D) Low slope exists
✅ Answer: C
Q16. Which one is not surface irrigation?
A) Furrow
B) Basin
C) Border
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q17. Sprinkler irrigation resembles:
A) River flow
B) Rainfall
C) Flood
D) Canal flow
✅ Answer: B
Q18. Main disadvantage of sprinkler is:
A) Water logging
B) Uneven distribution
C) High evaporation in wind
D) High labour
✅ Answer: C
Q19. Which method requires filtration?
A) Surface
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q20. Which saves maximum water?
A) Flood
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q21. Suitable method for closely spaced crops:
A) Basin
B) Flooding
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: C
Q22. Which has least labour requirement?
A) Flood
B) Sprinkler
C) Drip
D) Basin
✅ Answer: C
Q23. Drip irrigation is not suitable for:
A) Vegetables
B) Orchards
C) Saline water
D) Greenhouses
✅ Answer: C
Q24. Sprinkler irrigation efficiency is around:
A) 30%
B) 45%
C) 65%
D) 90%
✅ Answer: C
Q25. Furrow irrigation is mainly used for:
A) Paddy
B) Wheat
C) Sugarcane
D) Rice
✅ Answer: C
Q26. Which irrigation method gives maximum uniformity?
A) Flooding
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
📝 Explanation: Drip supplies controlled water at root zone.
Q27. Which method is most affected by wind?
A) Surface
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: C
Q28. Border strip irrigation is suitable for:
A) Steep slope
B) Level land
C) Sandy soil only
D) Rocky soil
✅ Answer: B
Q29. Which method requires least water?
A) Flooding
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q30. Water application efficiency is minimum in:
A) Drip
B) Sprinkler
C) Furrow
D) Flooding
✅ Answer: D
Q31. Which irrigation method is best for lawns and gardens?
A) Flood
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: C
Q32. Basin irrigation is mainly used for:
A) Paddy
B) Wheat
C) Cotton
D) Sugarcane
✅ Answer: A
Q33. Which method reduces soil erosion?
A) Flood
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Border
✅ Answer: C
Q34. Drip irrigation operates at:
A) Very high pressure
B) Medium pressure
C) Low pressure
D) No pressure
✅ Answer: C
Q35. Which is a disadvantage of surface irrigation?
A) Low cost
B) High evaporation
C) No pumping required
D) Simple layout
✅ Answer: B
Q36. Which method is suitable for row crops?
A) Flooding
B) Basin
C) Furrow
D) Sprinkler
✅ Answer: C
Q37. Sprinkler irrigation cannot be used effectively when:
A) Wind speed is high
B) Soil is sandy
C) Land is uneven
D) Crop spacing is small
✅ Answer: A
Q38. Drip irrigation mainly improves:
A) Soil fertility
B) Crop yield
C) Rainfall
D) Groundwater level
✅ Answer: B
Q39. Which irrigation method needs skilled maintenance?
A) Flooding
B) Basin
C) Furrow
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q40. Which is not an advantage of drip irrigation?
A) Saves water
B) Reduces weed growth
C) Low initial cost
D) High efficiency
✅ Answer: C
Q41. Which method is cheapest?
A) Drip
B) Sprinkler
C) Surface
D) Micro irrigation
✅ Answer: C
Q42. Which method causes maximum percolation loss?
A) Drip
B) Sprinkler
C) Furrow
D) Flooding
✅ Answer: D
Q43. Which method is best for saline soil?
A) Flood
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: C
Q44. Which irrigation method is also called micro irrigation?
A) Flood
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q45. In drip irrigation, emitters are placed:
A) On main canal
B) On laterals near roots
C) On leaves
D) At field boundary
✅ Answer: B
Q46. Which method gives maximum water saving?
A) Border
B) Basin
C) Sprinkler
D) Drip
✅ Answer: D
Q47. Which irrigation method is least suitable for clay soil?
A) Flood
B) Basin
C) Furrow
D) Sprinkler
✅ Answer: D
Q48. The main loss in sprinkler irrigation is:
A) Percolation
B) Seepage
C) Evaporation and wind drift
D) Transpiration
✅ Answer: C
Q49. Which method is preferred for hilly areas?
A) Flood
B) Furrow
C) Sprinkler
D) Basin
✅ Answer: C
Q50. The main objective of modern irrigation methods is to:
A) Increase labour
B) Reduce crop yield
C) Save water and increase efficiency
D) Increase canal length
✅ Answer: C
Final SSC JE Trick Sheet (Highly Repeated)
Memorize this and you’ll clear 90% MCQs instantly: