WATER MANAGEMENT

Integrated process of applying needed amount of water at the

proper time, the removal of excess water from the field and the
employment of water-conserving practices

SOURCES OF WATER
1. Rainfall
2. Surface water from streams and rivers
3. River diversion systems huge dam infrastructure
4. Small farm reservoir
water collected from rainfall and surface run-off
300-2000 m2 can service 0.5 ha or more
elevation higher than the farm
5. Ground water through tubewells
Philippines has about 6-20 m depth of ground water
Pump irrigation
hydraulic ram gravity operated
axial flow pump lifting of water to 4 m
shallow well pump limited to 7 m depth
deep well pump operated at depth beyond 100 feet

Water requirement of crops total amount of water for a plant to

complete its growth and development (germination to maturity)
Consumptive Use of Water:
a) Evaporation confined to 10 cm depth
b) Transpiration 99% of water absorbed by plant (cooling)
DETERMINANTS:
Independent of stage of crop growth (E>T at early stage;
E<T after canopy closure)
Dependent on:
o solar radiation
o relative humidity
o wind turbulence
o temperature
o crop growth duration
c. Seepage lateral movement of water
d. Percolation vertical subsurface water movement
DETERMINANTS:
o soil texture / structure
o soil permeability
o depth of hardpan / impervious layer
o extent of soil puddling
Critical Growth Stages (For Annuals)
Seedling stage not too critical stage for water; adequate water
for germination
Vegetative accelerated growth rate at 3-5 weeks after germination;
adequate moisture w/in 3-5 weeks after germination
Reproductive - most critical period; deficiency affects fertilization,
pollination and cell differentiation
Seed /grain filling implication on yield; affects number of filled seeds
and seed weight
Ripening irrigation not needed usually 2 weeks before harvesting
Critical Growth Stages (For Perennials)
Early stage small amount of water needed for growth
Flowering to fruit development critical stage for water
Water sensitive phases:
o flowering
o fruiting
o seed development
Irrigation after a dry spell > 1 month induces flowering in
citrus
lanzones
durian
lychee
rambutan
coffee ( 7-12 days stress)
Determination of Irrigation Schedule (Big Farms)
based on soil water measurements
- gravimetric
- tensiometer
based on evapotranspiration
- use of potometer
- evaporation pan
based on calculations
- Field capacity amount of water held by soil at maximum
capacity after excess water is drained
- Permanent wilting point soil moisture level when permanent
wilting in plant occurs
- available water amt of water held between FC and PWP
divided by 100
Determination of Irrigation Schedule (for small farms)
o temporary wilting symptoms shown when plants lose their
turgidity (usually at midday)
o color of foliage temporary wilting
o rate of plant growth visual observation
o feel the soil soils taken from root zone depth
Methods of Irrigation (for annuals)
1. Border strip irrigation
field divided into strips bounded by low levees or dikes
- dimension: 5-15 m in width; 75-300 m in length
slope along strips: <3% (3 ft deep/100 ft)
- across strips: <1 % (1 ft deep/100 ft)
water is spread over the land but not allowed to accumulate
applicable to pastures, upland grain crops, upland rice
2. Basin or paddy irrigation
water is applied to plots surrounded by levees/dikes
plots are leveled, variable shapes and follow the topography
used in lowland rice areas
3. Furrow irrigation in drylands
water runs down the furrows between plant rows
use of gated pipes or open ditch in introducing water to the furrows
applicable to row crops like potatoes, vegetables, corn ,legumes, etc
4. Aerial irrigation sprinkler irrigation system ; wide range of
topography; needs pumping equipment to provide
pressure
5. Trickle or drip irrigation water is slowly applied directly to the soil
immediately surrounding the plant;
for vegetables, flowering plants grown in
screenhouses
Methods of Irrigation ( for perennials )
o Surface irrigation water is applied in small channels or furrows
- requires abundant water
o Overhead or aerial irrigation water is applied in the form of fine
mist (spraying) or simulated rain (sprinkling)
- requires series of pipes and nozzles
o Drip or trickle irrigation consists of pipe distributing network
Frequency of irrigation is a function of soil type and crop type
during the dry season

As a function of soil type, crop being the same:

1) open, shallow soils call for frequent irrigation
2) fine, deep soils do not require it so often

As a function of crop type- the optimum soil-moisture condition

for any given crop should be well-known by the irrigator for
most successful irrigation
 DRAINAGE
removal of excess water from root zone; main purpose is to
the lower table to increase the depth of rooting
good drainage provides the necessary oxygen to root tips
which are regions of rapid cell division and elongation
Waterlogging predisposes the plants to diseases:
root-infectious diseases e.g. bacterial wilt in tomato
two days of flooding for papaya and avocado could result
in the death of the tree
waterlogging in tomatoes reduces stem growth, yellowing of
leaves, twisting of petiole and production of adventitious roots
in anthuriums, too much water results in the promotion of
suckers at the expense of flowering
Solutions:
1. Construction of drainage canals
2. Use of raised beds especially when planting in low-lying areas

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1. It is estimated that a hectare of rice plants uses at least eight

million liters (8 M) of water during the plants life or equivalent to
400,000 big kerosene cans.

2. Crop forcing use of special structures to shield plants from too

much rain plastic house, tunnels or greenhouses