Introduction

Abstract

This chapter gives a short history of irrigation, followed by an introduction to the chapters and concepts in this book. Irrigation engineering is the analysis and design of systems that supply the right amount of water to the soil at the right time to meet the needs of the plant system. The enterprise may be growing plants for food, landscape, and other purposes. Subsurface drainage engineering is the analysis and design of systems that remove water or salts from the soil in order to maintain an optimal plant growth environment. Design of irrigation and subsurface drainage systems involves the application of engineering, biology, and soil science in both synthesis and analysis methods of problem solving to assemble components that will fit together for a specific location and crop production system. Thus, aside from the knowledge of hydraulics and other engineering concepts, irrigation and drainage engineering requires a good understanding of the soil and water environment, soil-water-plant relationships, hydrology, energy, and economics. The feasibility of irrigation and subsurface drainage systems must also be examined from environmental and economic points of view. This is particularly true in developing countries where irrigation and drainage projects are undertaken to change the livelihood of the local communities and the region at large.