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Classification, Properties, and Management of Aridisols

Irrigation of Aridic Soils

The purpose of classifying soils in Soil Taxonomy is to enable soil scientists to predict the behavior of one soil, for which technical data are lacking, by examining its relationship to similar soils that have been studied. We have looked at the morphologic characteristics of aridic soils and seen how they classify in Soil Taxonomy. We'll finish the program with a brief consideration of what can be accomplished when these soils are irrigated and properly managed.

Aridisols Slide 64

Availability of water is the key to the use of Aridisols for agriculture. History is rich with references to the practice of irrigation from wells, tanks and canals. Even today, irrigation devices are being used which are identical to those built hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years ago.

Aridisols Slide 65

The potato harvest of this proud Pakistani farmer would not have been possible without irrigation and sound soil management.

Aridisols Slide 66

The most widely used method of conveying water to agricultural fields is surface diversion. One method of surface diversion that has been practiced for thousands of years is called water harvesting. In this system, runoff is collected in a catchment area and channeled to agricultural fields at the base of a slope.

Aridisols Slide 67

In this and other surface irrigation systems, water is generally distributed within fields in furrows...

Aridisols Slide 68

...or in basins.

Aridisols Slide 69

Surface irrigation systems require gentle slopes. In most instances, some land leveling is needed before surface irrigation can be practiced efficiently. Land leveling techniques vary from soil movement with a tractor drawn scraper...

Aridisols Slide 70

...to the latest laser leveling systems using heavy equipment.

Aridisols Slide 71

Another common irrigation method uses sprinklers. Sprinkler irrigation is particularly useful on coarse textured soils or on fields that are difficult to level. Sprinklers range in size and complexity from this small hand-moved system...

Aridisols Slide 72

...to much larger, mechanized central pivot units.

Introduction to Aridic Soils | Soil Taxonomy | Introduction to Soil Horizons | The Horizons | Suborders and Great Groups | Argid Suborder | Orthid Suborder | Subgroups | Families | Non-Aridisols | Irrigation | Saline Soils | Sodic and Saline-Sodic Soils | Final Considerations

URL:http://cals.arizona.edu/OALS/soils/aridsoils/irrigation.html
Last revised: 29 August 2001
Site created and maintained by the Office of Arid Lands Studies