Irrigation BAG213

Understand the basics of irrigation. This course will teach you to design and manage simple irrigation systems for agricultural applications. You will learn to understand the soil characteristics that affect irrigation needs (such as drainage and water holding capacity) and to estimate plant needs, plus about different irrigation systems, irrigation scheduling and equipment. Learn to understand and use this increasingly important aspect of agriculture.

Water is essential to both plant and animal growth and is often the major limitation to productivity. Irrigation is now playing a more important role in agriculture than ever before. However, depending on the climate, the value of the plants or animals, the value of the land and it\'s suitability for irrigation, the cost, reliability and quality of the water supply, irrigation may or may not be possible or feasible.

Irrigation may enable plants (i.e. crops, pasture) to be grown in a dry climate where it would not otherwise be possible, or it may supplement the existing rainfall and improve growth rates by extending the growth period of the plant, or by ensuring there is adequate moisture during critical periods when the plant is growing most rapidly. The value of irrigation can vary greatly from year to year depending on the distribution of rainfall during the growth season.

Content There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Irrigation
2. Soil Characteristics & Problems
3. Estimating Plant Needs & Irrigation Scheduling
4. Drainage
5. Types of Irrigation Systems
6. Trickle Systems
7. Design Specifications
8. Pumps & Filters
9. Selecting the Right System For a Plant
10. Design & Operation of Systems.

Aims

• Explain the significance of soil in irrigation.
• Explain how to determine when to irrigate in agricultural situations.
• Manage irrigation in agricultural situations.
• Explain the significance of different aspects of moving water including: drainage, pumps, filters, storage, recirculation, and re-use.
• Select an appropriate irrigation system for a given agricultural situation.
• Explain the principles of design for a simple irrigation system.
• Design a simple irrigation system.
• Oversee the installation of an irrigation system.

Learn to design and manage simple irrigation systems for agricultural applications. Understand soil characteristics that affect irrigation needs (eg. drainage, water holding capacity), Estimating Plant Needs, Irrigation Scheduling Types of Irrigation Systems (eg. sprinkler, drip or trickle, flood), and equipment (eg. pumps and filters).