What is the difference between drip and rain irrigation?

Irrigation is one of the basic factors in agriculture that leads to the cultivation of quality products and increase in yield. In this process, two common irrigation methods are used: drip irrigation and rain irrigation. Each of these methods has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and in this article we will discuss their differences.

Benefits of drip irrigation

Drip irrigation is a modern and efficient way to irrigate agricultural crops. In this method, water is released in the form of small drops directly near the roots of the plants. Some of the advantages of drip irrigation are:

Saving water consumption

One of the main advantages of drip irrigation is saving water. Because the water is directly and firmly irrigated near the roots of the plants and prevents excessive water evaporation. This reduces water waste and significantly reduces water consumption.

reduce weeds

In drip irrigation, water is used only near the plants and is not transferred to the weeds. This reduces the growth of weeds and reduces the need to use herbicides.

reducing diseases

Drip irrigation helps plants to be less exposed to diseases. Because in this method, the water is released directly near the roots of the plants and does not wet the leaves. This reduces high humidity and creates favorable conditions for the growth of fungi and pathogens.

Advantages of rain irrigation

Rain irrigation is a traditional method that is still used in many areas. In this method, water is sprinkled on the fields through nozzles and water transfer systems. Some of the advantages of rain irrigation are:

Ease of use

Rain irrigation does not require complex and sophisticated equipment. Only simple water transfer systems and nozzles are needed. This makes it easy and convenient to use this method.

air humidity supply

Irrigation in the form of rain provides moisture to the air in the fields. This cools the air, lowers the temperature and creates favorable conditions for the growth of plants.

Uniform irrigation

In rain irrigation, the water is distributed uniformly and to the entire area of the field. This ensures adequate moisture in all parts of the farm, and for this reason, some plants need it for better and more uniform growth.

difference between drip and rain irrigation

Differences between drip and rain irrigation mainly exist in the method of supplying water and distributing it to plants. While drip irrigation releases water directly and precisely near the roots of plants, sprinkler irrigation distributes water through nozzles and sprinkler systems on fields.

One of the other differences between these two methods is water consumption. Drip irrigation usually requires less water because the water is placed directly near the roots of the plants and prevents excessive evaporation of the water. On the other hand, rain irrigation requires more water because the water is evenly distributed over the entire field.

In drip irrigation, water waste is minimized and can be easily controlled. Also, the use of fertilizers and agricultural pesticides is reduced because water is used only near the roots of the plants. On the other hand, in rain irrigation, more water waste occurs and there is a possibility of watering weeds and other unneeded areas.

In general, both drip and rain irrigation methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right irrigation method depends on the specific needs of each farm and the type of plants to be planted.

Conclusion

In this article, we examined the differences between drip and rain irrigation. Drip irrigation saves water, reduces weeds and diseases. Instead, sprinkler irrigation provides ease of use, providing air humidity and uniform irrigation. It is very important to choose the right method based on the needs of the farm and the plants to be planted.