Composition and Working Principle of Agricultural Irrigation Systems

Composition and Working Principle of Agricultural Irrigation Systems

A complete agricultural irrigation system can be figuratively understood as the "circulatory system" serving the farmland. Its core task is to draw water from a water source and deliver it evenly and appropriately to the root zone of each crop plant in the field, according to the crop's needs. The basic composition and working principle of the system revolve around three core stages: "water intake, water delivery, and water discharge."

The core components of the system mainly include:

Power and Water Intake Section: This is the "heart" of the system, usually a water pump. It is responsible for drawing water from the water source (such as rivers, ponds, wells, or reservoirs) and providing the necessary pressure and power for the entire system. Depending on the water source and power conditions, the water pump may be electric, or driven by a diesel or gasoline engine.

Water Distribution Pipeline Network: This is the "blood vessel" of the system. It includes the main pipelines that transport water from the water source to the edge of the field, as well as the branch pipes and capillaries (the smallest pipes at the end) that distribute the water flow in the field. The pipes are usually made of plastic (such as PVC, PE) or metal, and are responsible for safely and efficiently transporting water to the designated locations with minimal loss.

Field Irrigation Equipment (Water Discharge Section): This is the "end point" of the system, directly in contact with the crops. The equipment varies greatly depending on the irrigation method: sprinkler irrigation uses sprinklers to spray water like rain; drip irrigation uses drippers or drip tapes to slowly seep water drop by drop into the soil of the crop root zone; traditional furrow or border irrigation introduces water into ditches or furrows dug in the field through pipes, allowing the water to flow and infiltrate along the ground.

Control and Filtration Equipment: This is the "valves and filters" of the system. It includes valves (for switching and controlling flow), filters (for removing sediment and impurities from the water to prevent clogging of pipes and water discharge equipment), and more advanced automatic controllers (which can automatically start and stop the system according to a set program).

The basic working principle is an orderly relay process:

Power Activation: The water pump starts, drawing water from the water source and giving the water flow a certain pressure and flow rate.

Pressurized Delivery: The pressurized water flow enters the water distribution pipeline network and is transported to various areas of the field along the main pipes and branch pipes. Regulation and Distribution:  Through the opening and closing of valves at various levels, the water flow is controlled to enter different irrigation zones or units.

Uniform Water Application: The water flow ultimately reaches the field irrigation equipment. In sprinkler irrigation systems, water is broken down into fine droplets by sprinklers and sprayed into the air, then evenly falling onto the crops and soil; in drip irrigation systems, water is dripped directly into the soil near the crop roots at a stable, small flow rate through drippers; in furrow or border irrigation, water flows out of the pipe opening and moves along the furrows or borders on the surface of the ground, then infiltrates into the soil.

Completion of the Cycle: After the irrigation reaches the predetermined time or water volume, the water pump and valves are shut off, and the system stops working.

The entire system, through the coordinated work of its various components, achieves the goal of converting water from the source into usable soil moisture for crops in the field, as needed, in a controlled and uniform manner, thus achieving scientific irrigation, water conservation, and increased yield.