DEVELOPMENT OF EXPERT SYSTEM FOR METHODS OF IRRIGATION

Abstract

Irrigation is the artificial application of certain amount of water at certain fixed intervals throughout 01tsperiod of growth. In tropical Countries like India the first two of three essential requirements of plant growth, that is heat and light are available in abundance, but the third that is, moisture needs to be supplemented frequently by artificial application of water, when the rainfall is either deficient or comes irregularly or at unreasonable times. The primary objectives of any irrigation method is to supply water to soil so that moisture will be readily available at all times for crop growth but without indiscriminately adding to the water table, as well as avoiding. influence of soil salinity. An efficient irrigation method is that which best suited local conditions such as (i) soil characteristics, (ii) kind of crop and its. age, (iii) crop rotation, (iv) topographic condition, (v) available water flow, (vi) underground watertable condition (high or low), and .(vii) state of soil salinity. The essential requirements for adoption of any irrigation method are 1. Stream flow is adequate so that the quantity of irrigation is such that depth of wetting and the stand of crop are approximately uniform. The irrigator achieves high productivity and can irrigate a large area. 2. Afford a uniform water distribution. 3. Allow uniform application of water. 4. Allow use of large concentrated water flows for reduction of 'conveyance losses (