SEMESTER EXAMINATION
SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION: GAT 06105: THEORY
TUTOR: BAHATI HAMARO
TIME: 2HOURS
NUMBER OF INVIGILATORS – 3
1. Write the word TRUE for the correct answer and word FALSE for the incorrect answer (1 mark each)
i) Primary aim of drainage is to remove excess water from the field (___________)
ii) Irrigation water should not be free from any pathogenic contamination(___________)
iii) The longer the crop takes to reach maturity, the longer the amount of water required to keep
the crop in the field(____________)
iv) Irrigation system should be able to convey water with maximum losses(__________)
v) Irrigation reduces dependency on rainfall(_________)
vi) It is advisable to use drip irrigation for water containing dissolved salts(________)
vii) Areas with strong wind action use sprinkler irrigation(_________)
viii)Fully developed crop will use more water as compared to crop which has just recently been
planted (__________)
ix) Crop evapotranspiration refers to the amount of water needed by various crops to grow
optimally (____________)
x) Yellowing of plant leaves and wilting may be a sign of poor drainage (___________)
xi) Poor access to markets is not a problem facing irrigation development in Tanzania(_________)
xii) Malaria is among of disease related to irrigation water(________)
2. Fill the blanks with correct answer or word in a space provide (1 mark each)
i) The acidity or basicity of irrigation water is expressed as_____________________
ii) Artificial application of water to land or soil in order to provide necessary moisture for plant
growth and production refers to___________________________
iii) The structure constructed to confirm water in basin is called______________________
iv) The process of removing excess water from the field to prevent water logging and
accumulation of harmful amount of salts is called________________
v) A method of irrigation where water is spread drop by drop onto the root of the plants is
known as_____________________
vi) Down ward movement of water through the soil profile is called___________________
vii) A soil with high infiltration rate but with low lateral water movement is
called________________
viii)Method of basin irrigation where water flows successively through one basin into the next one
down the slope is known as_____________________________
ix) Excessive accumulation of sodium ions in the soil is called_____________________
x) Rivers that flow throughout the year is known as__________________________
3. Write the letter of correct answer in the space provided (1mark each)
i) Type of surface irrigation conducted by creating small parallel channels that carry water as it moves
down the slope of the field:-
A. Basin Irrigation
B. Furrow Irrigation ( )
C. Border strip Irrigation
D. Wild flood Irrigation
ii) Is a component of Irrigation system:
A. Lateral
B. Emitter ( )
C. Head work
D. Sprinkler
iii) Soil with high lateral water movement
A. Clay soil
B. Loamy soil ( )
C. Sandy soil and
D. Silt loamy soil
iv) Sprinkler Irrigation also refers to:
A. Drip Irrigation
B. Over head Irrigation ( )
C. Trickle Irrigation
D. Border strip Irrigation
v) Crop that grow well in soil with high salt concentrations is called:-
A. Tolerant
B. Sensitive
C. Moderately tolerant ( )
D. Moderately sensitive
vi) Method used for prediction of evapotranspiration based on temperature only:-
A. Evaporation pan method
B. Blaneycriddle method
C. Penman method ( )
D. Radiation method
vii) A normal PH range for irrigation water should be from
A. 5.0 to 7.0
B. 7.0 to 8.5
C. 3.0 to 5.0 ( )
D. 5.0 to 9.5
viii)A method of applying Irrigation water which is similar to natural rainfall
A. Drip Irrigation
B. Sprinkler Irrigation ( )
C. Under Irrigation
D. Sub –surface Irrigation
ix) Crop factor affecting crop water requirements
A. Temperature
B. Permeability
C. Stage of development of the crop ( )
D. Pest and disease control
x) Method for measuring large flows of water:-
A. Volumetric method
B. Velocity area method ( )
C. Direct method
D. Radiation method
4. a) Match the types of irrigation in column I with their corresponding definitions in column II in a
match panel provided (1 mark each)
COLUMN I COLUMN II
A. furrow Irrigation a) Method of Irrigation where irrigation water confirmed by
B. Basin Irrigation levees or bunds.
C. Border strip Irrigation b) Method of Irrigation where a field is divided into number of
COLUMN I COLUMN II strips which are separated by levees.
A. c) Method of Irrigation where water spread as natural rainfall
B. d) Method of irrigation where small parallel channels carry
C. water as it moves down the slope of the field.
D. e) Irrigation water spread drop by drop to root zone.
E.
b) Match the soil hazards in column I with their corresponding causative elements in column II in a
match panel provided (1 mark each)
COLUMN I COLUMN II
A. Sodium Hazard a) Carbonates and Bicarbonates
B. Salinity hazard b) High proportion of Na to Ca and Mq ions in water
C. Alkalinity c) High total soluble salts
COLUMN I COLUMN II d) High proportion of Ca and Mg to Na ions in water.
A. e) Excessive boron ions in the soil
B.
C.
D.
E.
c) Match the following types of levees in column I with their corresponding width in column II in a
match panel provided (1 mark each)
COLUMN I COLUMN II
A. Temporary levee a) 150 – 180CM Wide
B. Permanent levee b) 60 – 120 CM Wide
C. Double row c) 15 – 30 CM Wide
COLUMN I COLUMN II d) 1.0 M Wide
A. e) 0.75M Wide
B.
C.
D.
E.
5 a) List any Four factors that determine the suitability (Quality) of Irrigation water (4 marks)
b) Name any Four problems facing Irrigation development in Tanzania (4 marks)
c) Give four importance of measuring Irrigation water (4 marks)
d) Mention any four factor that determines the furrow spacing (4 marks)
6. Define the following terms (2 marks each)
a) Small scale Irrigation
b) Irrigation system
c) Sodicity
d) Plot to plot method
e) Single plot method
7 a) Explain any 5 Economic Importance of Irrigation in Tanzania (10 marks)
b) Explain any 5 signs of poor drainage of water in the field (10 marks)
c) Explain any 5 reasons why Irrigation channels are lined (10 marks)
d) Explain any 5 factors to consider for selection of Irrigation system (10 marks)
8 a) Describe Five components of Irrigation system (10 marks)
b) Describe three procedures of measuring Irrigation water held in a reservoir that has no
definite shape (10 marks)
c) Describe types of levees used to confirm water in basin irrigation. (10 marks)
9 a) Discuss advantages and disadvantages of drip – Irrigation system (10 marks)
b) Discuss the surface Irrigation system as a common system of irrigation used by farmers In
Tanzania (10 marks)
c) Discuss suitability of pipelines as a method of conveying Irrigation water (10 marks)
d) Discuss advantages and disadvantages of conveying water by open channels (10 marks)
MODAL ANSWER ~THEORY
1 i. TRUE
ii. FALSE
iii. TRUE
iv. FALSE
v. TRUE
vi. TRUE
vii. FALSE
viii. TRUE
ix. TRUE
x. TRUE
xi. FALSE
xii. TRUE
2. i) PH
II) Irrigation
iii) Levees or bunds
iv) Drainage
v) Drip Irrigation
vii Percolation
viii) Clay soil
ix) Plot to plot method
xi) Sodicity
3. i) B
ii) C
iii) A
iv) B
v) A
Vi) B
vii) A
viii) B
ix) C
x) B
4 a)
COLUMN I A B C
COLUMN II d a b
4 b)
COLUMN I A B C
COLUMN II b c a
4 c)
COLUMN I A B C
COLUMN II b a d
5a) list any five (5) factors that determine the suitability (Quality) of Irrigation water.
Total salt content (Salinity)
PH acid or basic
Alkalinity (Carbonates and bicarbonates)
Specific ions e.g. Chlorides, Boron, Nitrates
Microbial pathogens
Organic deposits
b) Name any Five problems facing Irrigation development in Tanzania
Poor Irrigation structures.
Weak farmers organization
Poor marketing – Access to markets.
Destruction of environment
Lack of sense of ownership and participatory approaches.
Lack of resources
Limited capacity and misallocation of Irrigation technicians.
Lack of research in Irrigation sector.
c) Give five importance of measuring Irrigation water
Helps to know amount of water available for Irrigation.
Allows water to be distributed among the users according to their needs and right.
Reduces excessive water wastage.
Crop supplied with the night amount of water according to their consumptive use
Helps to determine the conveyance loss to the point of application.
d) Mention any five factor that determines the furrow spacing:-
Type of the crop to be Irrigated
Water movement in the soil
Type of tillage equipment used
Furrow slopes
Furrow length
6. Define the following terms:-
a) Small scale Irrigation – refers to the Irrigation usually on small plots in which farmers have the
major controlling influence and using a level of technology which the farmers can effectively operate
and maintain.
b) Irrigation system – refers to how water abstracted from the source, how conveyed , how
distributed and how utilized for plant growth.
c) Sodicity – refer to high concentration of Na ions in water with respect toCa and Mg ( high
proportion of Na to Ca and Mg ions in the water)
d) Plot to plot method – Basin Irrigation method where water flows successively from one basin into
the next basin down the slope.
e) Single plot method basin Irrigation method where water is delivered into individual basins through
outlets spaced along each side of the supply channel.
7 a) Explain any 5 economic importance of Irrigation in Tanzania
Improvement of food security and promotion of farmers incomes
Reduces dependency of rainfall.
Creates employment to rural manpower
promotion of crop export
Brings under agriculture areas that are other wise not cultivated due to moisture
limitations.
Improvement of the socio – economic welfare of societies .
Reduce labour peaks
b) Explain any 5 signs of poor drainage of water in the field
Flooding and water logging are persistent problem on an area
Yellowing of plant leaves, wilting also may occur
The wet soil often has smell caused by bacteria
Gray color of the soil can be an indicator of poorly drained soil.
Stunted plant growth fail to sprout and shoot die back
c) Explain any five reasons why Irrigation channels are lined
To reduce water leakage losses
To protect the channel side walls from collapse. Concrete lining increases stability of the canal
preventing collapses of the wall.
To decrease the growth of weeds
To reduce erosion resulting from high flow velocities
To reduce the required maintenance cost.
To increase the channels water conveyance capacity
d) Explain any five factors to consider for selection of Irrigation system
o Land slope /topography
o Water intake rate of the soil
o Water tolerance of the crop
o Wind action
o Type of technology
o Cost and labour availability
o Water quality and quantity
8. a) Describe six components of Irrigation system
Head work – is a source of water where water abstracted eg Dam Rivers, Lake, Resenoir, Well,
Springs etc.
Main canal – Primary canal – canal which conveys water from head work (Source of water) to
Secondary canal.
Secondary Canal – Canal which convey water form main canal to tertiary unit: Noramally small in size
compared to primary canal.
Tertiary Unit – These are small channels which conveys water from secondary canal to individual
Farms
- Through tertiary unit the waters enters to the individual farms for irrigation.
- Individual plot farm – These are the point of water utilization farm plots where water utilized from
tertiary units.
Drainage network – Network for removing excess water from the individual farm
b) Describe three procedures of measuring Irrigation water held in a container of definite shape
1. Determine the average surface area of the base of the base of the container.
2. Measure the depth of water in a container.
3. Determine the volume of water by multiplying the depth of water by average surface area of the
bases of the container.
Volume = Surface Area of the base of container x depth of water in a
container.
c) Describe three procedures of measuring Irrigation water held in a container ( reservoir) that has no
definite shape.
1. Determine the average surface area of the water reservoir
2. Determine the average depths of the water taken at various points in the reservoir.
3. determine the volume by multiplying the average depth of water by the average surface area
of the reservoir.
Volume =Area of water surface in the reserve oir ( pond or field) x average
depth of water in reservoir.
d) Describe two types of levels used in basin Irrigation
a) Temporary levees
- constructed for use in a single Irrigation or for one cropping season
Normally 60 – 120 cm wide at the base with the height of 15 -30cm above the ground surface
b) Permanent levees
are constructed for repeated use in Irrigation annual crops such as rice grown on the same land for
several years.
Normally 150 -180cm wide at the base with the height of 40 -50 cm above the ground surface.
9) a. Discuss advantages and disadvantage of drip Irrigation system.
drip Irrigation types of irrigation where water spread drop by drop into the root of the plants drip
Irrigation used where there is shortage of water and salt problems.
Advantage of drip Irrigation includes the following
soil erosion is minimal due reduced run off as water is localized at root zone of a plant.
Fertilizers and nutrient loss is minimal due to localized application reduced leaching.
Field leveling is not necessary since Irrigation water is pumped to any direction regardless to slope
but in surface irrigation the field must be leveled since slope is very important to determine the
direction of flow.
Water application efficiency is high there is uniform distribution of water and good water
management as water localized or spread only where there is a plant.
- Elimination of many disease that are spread through water contact with the foliage since water
does not come contact with foliage as in surface Irrigation systems
-Losses due to run off and evaporation are reduced irrigation water is not exposed to wind and
temperature which can result to high evaporation also water carried through pipe seapage as due
infiltration as in sandy soil is avoided
No water logging and rise of water table as result of salinity problem since only small amount of
water spread into root of plants.
-Economical use of labor –does not require many laborers’
Disadvantage
. It is expensive –high initial investment cost for installation of drip irrigation system
.High skill and skilled person required to run the system
.maintenance cost is high for repairing the system in case of damage.
.Sun can affect tubes used for drip irrigation that shorting their usable life.
.Clogging – if the water is not properly filtered hence repeated replacement of poly tubes.
b) Discuss the surface Irrigation system as common system of irrigation used by farmers in Tanzania
surface irrigation system – System where water is applied or spread directly to the ground surface or
irrigation field by gravity.
Advantage
- Not expensive ( Less initial cost investment)
- Minimum skill required to operate
- Maintenance cost is minimum.
Disadvantage
-Poor water management (Evapotranspiration is high)
- Water logging and salinity is a major problem.
-Cause soil erosion because of run off
-Water is not uniformly distribution and water loss is high.
-Disease contamination is high since irrigation water contact with the foliage during irrigation.
Conclusion
Surface Irrigation system not economical to compared to non surface irrigation system farmers
should encouraged to use non surface irrigation system to avoid water resource wastage which is
high disappearing on the universe.
c).Discuss suitability of pipelines as method of conveying Irrigation water
Water conveyed through pipelines by gravity flow or by pumping.
Advantages of conveying water by pipelines.
Electricity can be generated along the pipeline route the same route where pipe passes can used to
pass electricity.
Large quantity of water can be transported without degradation in quality or evaporative losses.
The technology has a low operation and maintenance cost as only replacement of pipes when
required.
Reduced water loss from evaporation, see page and theft. Improved and increased agriculture
production due to transporting water to irrigate crops.
Disadvantages of conveying water by pipelines
-The initial cost is high – cost of buying pipes is high during the starting of the project.
-Skilled personnel needed to operate and maintain the project since high technology involved
- Vandalism of the pipelines can be occur when communities is not served by the water supply where
pipelines passes.
- Environmental impacts – some plastic pipelines (Pipes) does not degrade hence cause
environmental pollution
-Water movement blockage when air enters the pipe.
Conclusion
Pipeline is a best method of conveying Irrigation due to the reasons (advantage) stated above mainly
on water economic (water economically used as compared to open channels.
d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of conveying water by open channels.
open channels – water conveyed through open channels by means of gravity : meaning that water
source located up stream while the farm or area to be irrigated located downstream to allow water
flow freely through gravity (gravitational force )
Advantages
-Less expensive (initial cost for investment is cheap)
-Minimal skill and technology required to operate and maintain the project (scheme)
- Water movement is not a problem since only gravity considered (No pumping of water
Disadvantages
Water loss is high due to evaporation, see page, a problem can be reduced by lining the channels.
-Water contamination is a prominent problem hence water quality degradation.
- Water distribution uniformity is a problem – water not equality distributed among the users.
- Soil erosion due to run off is high other wise to reduce soil erosion open channels should be lined .
-If the open channels not lined week growth in channels can take place.
-Collapse of channels sideways hence frequency maintenance of channels to prevent open channel
should be lined.
-Reduced water conveyance capacity due to evaporation and see page to reduce a problem open
channels should be lined.
Conclusion
Open channel should lined to minimize water wastage soil erosion, conveyance losses, growth of
weeds, side way collapses etc.
GAT 06105: SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION: PRACTICAL
SET ONE:
1. A 24Litres capacity bucket is filled in 6 seconds by a discharge from an irrigation channel feeding a
vegetable field in lipeleng’enye irrigation scheme. What is the flow rate in the channel?
Venue – Multipurpose hall
Number of Invigilators -02
Time allocated – 30Minutes.
2. Rain water was harvested and stored in the pond the depth (CM) of pond was measured at various
points are 100,90,95,60,105, and 98. The surface area of water in the pond is 400m2 calculate the
volume of water in the pond.
Venue – multipurpose hall
Number of I invigilators -02
Time allocated -30minutes
3. After irrigating rice field in Kilacha village, the average depth of water ponded on the surface was
found to be 15cm. The area of the field was about half an acre. Assuming negligible losses of water
through evaporation. What amount of water infiltrated into the field.
Venue – multipurpose hall
Number of Invigilator – 02
Time allocated – 30Minuters.
SET TWO:
1. Draw a well labeled diagram to show components of Irrigation system.
Venue – Multipurpose hall.
Number of invigilator – 02
Time allocated – 30Minutes
2. identify parts of drip Irrigation labeled A,B, C and D and state
Function of each part
Label Name of a part Function of a part
A
B
C
D
Venue – drip irrgation garden
Number of invigilator – 02
Time allocated 2minutes per candidate (100Minutes per class)
GAT 06105: SMALL SCALE IRRIGATION
MODAL ANSWERS AND MARKING SCHEME
1. Data given:
Volume of bucket (L) =24Litres (1)
Time taken to fill bucket (s) = 6 seconds (1)
Flow rate (L/S) =? (1)
Solution: flow rate or flow rate (L/S) = Volume of bucket (1)
Time taken to fill bucket
=24L (1)
6S
=4L/S (1)
(7Marks)
The flow rate or rate of flow of water in the channel is 4 L/S (1)
2. Data given:
Surface area of water in the pond = 400m2 (1)
Average depth of the pond = (100+90+95+60+105+98)cm(1)= 91.3cm(1)
6 1M=100CM
? = 91.3CM
= (1) 1M×91.3CM=0.913M
100CM
Volume of water in the pond =?
Solution:
Volume of water in the pond = surface area of water × average
Depth of pond (1)
=400M2×0.913M = 365.3M3 (1)
Volume of water in the pond is 365.3M3(1) (10Marks)
Data given:
Surface area of the field = (1/2acre) =2000M2 (1)
Average depth of water = 15CM (1)
=1m=100CM (1)
=15CM
=1M×15CM (1)
100CM
= 0.15M (1)
Solution:
The amount of water ponded on the field = Surface area of the field × (1)
Average depth of water
=2000M2×0.15M (1)
=300M3(1)
Amount of water ponded on the field was 300M3 (1)
SET TWO
1. See attachment (8 marks)
2. (10 Marks)
Label Name of a part Function of a part
A Water source(headwork) (1) Stores water ie is where water abstracted (1)
B Main line (Main pipe)(1) Transport or carry water from head work (water source) to laterals(1)
C Lateral (poly tube)(1) Transport or carry water from main pipe to drippers (1)
D Dripper/emitter (1) Gives water inform of drops to wet soil (1)
(8marks)
