"This edition provides the latest technology in the design of surface, sprinkler, and microirrigation systems along with basic information about soils and current information on estimating crop water requirements. New chapters have been added on planning systems, environmental issues, efficiency and uniformity, chemigation, and use of wastewater for irrigation."--Preface

Planning and Evaluation of Irrigation Projects: Methods and Implementation presents the considerations, options and factors necessary for effective implementation of irrigation strategies, going further to provide methods for evaluating the efficiency of systems-in-place for remedial correction as needed. As the first book to take this lifecycle approach to agricultural irrigation, it includes real-world examples not only on natural resource availability concerns, but also on financial impacts and measurements. With 21 chapters divided into two sections, this book is a valuable resource for agricultural and hydrology engineers, conservation scientists and anyone seeking to implement and maintain irrigation systems. - Uses real-world examples to present practical insights - Incorporates both planning and evaluation for full-scope understanding and application - Illustrates both potential benefits and limitations of irrigation solutions - Provides potential means to increase crop productivity that can result in improved farm income

The comprehensive and compact presentation in this book is the perfect format for a resource/textbook for undergraduate students in the areas of Agricultural Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Bio-Science Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, and Civil & Environmental Engineering. This book will also serve as a reference manual for researchers and extension workers in such diverse fields as agricultural engineering, agronomy, ecology, hydrology, and meteorology.

This manual (most of whose modules were originally published 2001-2002) aims at strengthening various aspects of irrigation development, mainly emphasizing the engineering, agronomic and economic aspects of smallholder irrigation, in view of the limited practical references available in this area. It also introduces the irrigation practitioner to the social, health and environmental aspects, providing a bridge between the various disciplines involved in irrigation development.--Publisher's description.

There is no doubt that irrigation makes a major contribution to agricultural production, making a whole range of crops viable in an otherwise unreliable climate and helping insure against drought. However irrigation does not automatically guarantee a profit and acclaim, it is a high cost exercise, using water from increasingly scarce supplies, and contributes to environmental concerns of the community. Many of the pressures facing some irrigators have been caused by a lack of understanding in the past of best practices necessary in design, installation and management.Alternative methods of irrigation are presented, emphasising the characteristics of each that may make them suitable (or unsuitable) for particular situations. The range of crops under irrigation is very wide, and so too is the range of methods available to get water to them. Horticultural crops are included as well as broadacre crops. This section is followed by technical information of the various components that make up an irrigation system, and their installation.Irrigation is concerned with providing the optimum soil moisture conditions for plant growth. So to is drainage, in that too much water in the soil will retard growth. Many of the concepts surrounding irrigation are applicable to a consideration of drainage, so the book discusses that technology as well.