Irrigation: An historical perspective

Sojka, R.E. and Bjorneberg, D.L. and Entry, J.A. (2002) Irrigation: An historical perspective. In: Lal, R., (ed.) Encyclopedia of Soil Science (1st Edition). pp. 745-749. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York.

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Abstract

Irrigation can be broadly defined as the practice of applying
additional water (beyond what is available from rainfall)
to soil to enable or enhance plant growth and yield, and,
in some cases, the quality of foliage or harvested plant
parts. The water source could be groundwater pumped to
the surface, or surface water diverted from one position on
the landscape to another. Development of irrigation water
often entails development of large-scale, geographically
significant dams and water impoundments and/or diversions
that can provide additional functions apart from crop
growth enhancement, e.g., flood control, recreation, or
generation of electricity. In many cases sustainable
irrigation development requires concomitant development
of surface and/or subsurface drainage.

Item Type:	Book Section
NWISRL Publication Number:	1070
Subjects:	Mass Import - unclassified
Depositing User:	Users 6 not found.
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:55
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2016 16:23
Item ID:	815
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/815