May 1, 2024
Updated May 9, 2025
17 minute read
Irrigation is the artificial process of applying controlled amounts of water to land to assist in the production of crops. It also serves to grow landscape plants and lawns, and can be essential in revegetating disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall. Beyond these agricultural applications, irrigation plays a role in dust suppression, disposal of sewage, and in mining operations. At its core, irrigation helps to ensure a stable food supply, a cornerstone of civilizations past and present.
Working in the field of irrigation can be deeply engaging. It involves a fascinating intersection of engineering, environmental science, and agriculture, offering opportunities to design and manage systems that are critical for food security and environmental sustainability. The challenge of optimizing water use in the face of growing global demand and changing climatic conditions makes this field both intellectually stimulating and profoundly impactful. Furthermore, the tangible results of successful irrigation projects – thriving crops, green landscapes, and empowered communities – can be incredibly rewarding.
Historical Evolution of Irrigation Practices
Understanding the history of irrigation provides a crucial foundation for appreciating its modern complexities and its enduring importance to human civilization. The story of irrigation is a story of ingenuity, adaptation, and the constant human endeavor to shape the environment to meet fundamental needs.
Ancient Irrigation Systems
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Reading list
We've selected 15 books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Irrigation.
The FAO Irrigation and Drainage Papers are a classic series of publications covering a wide range of topics in irrigation and drainage. They provide valuable technical information and guidelines and are considered essential references in the field. These papers are often used by professionals and researchers worldwide.
Addresses the challenges and innovations in water management within irrigated agriculture, considering the impacts of climate change. It explores ways to improve irrigation efficiency, retain and reuse water, and manage watersheds sustainably. It is highly relevant to contemporary issues and future directions in irrigation.
Focuses specifically on microirrigation systems, providing in-depth knowledge on their design, operation, and management. It's particularly relevant for those interested in water-efficient irrigation methods and valuable reference for professionals and advanced students. The second edition includes contemporary topics like variable rate irrigation and automation.
Collection of papers from the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) annual congresses. It covers the latest research and developments in irrigation and drainage engineering.
Focusing on smart technologies in irrigation, this book delves into the use of sensors, automation, and data for optimizing irrigation scheduling and water use efficiency. It is highly relevant to contemporary trends in irrigation management.
Focuses on sustainable design methods and practices for micro irrigation systems in agricultural crops. It includes research and studies on various aspects of micro irrigation, contributing to a deeper understanding of efficient and sustainable irrigation.
Presents a detailed design procedure for microirrigation systems, with a strong emphasis on drip irrigation. It covers irrigation scheduling, leaching, and economic analysis, including numerical examples. It's a practical resource for understanding and implementing microirrigation.
This comprehensive assessment provides a broad overview of water management in agriculture globally. It places irrigation within the larger context of food production, livelihoods, and the environment, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions. It's a valuable resource for understanding the societal and environmental impacts of irrigation.
Focuses on the principles of evaporation and transpiration as they relate to irrigation. It provides detailed information on methods for estimating crop water requirements and determining irrigation schedules.
Covers the engineering and management aspects of irrigation. It provides detailed information on irrigation system design, construction, and operation. It also discusses topics such as water resources planning and management.
This volume provides fundamental principles of irrigation and water management at the farm level. It good resource for gaining a solid understanding of the basics before delving into more complex topics. can serve as a valuable textbook for undergraduate students.
This textbook provides a concise overview of irrigation and drainage engineering. It covers topics such as water resources assessment, irrigation methods, drainage systems, and water quality management.
While not solely focused on irrigation systems, this book provides crucial background knowledge on soil health and water retention, which are fundamental to effective irrigation and water management, especially in the context of drought. It offers practical strategies for improving water availability on farms.
Understanding the history of irrigation provides valuable context for current practices and challenges. explores the evolution of irrigation techniques and their impact on societies throughout history. It offers a broader perspective beyond the technical aspects.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/topic/1r7hfq/irrigatio
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