Irrigation and Drainage Practices MCQs

1. Which of the following is the most efficient method of irrigation in terms of water use efficiency?
(A) Surface irrigation
(B) Drip irrigation
(C) Sprinkler irrigation
(D) Furrow irrigation

2. What is the main purpose of subsurface drainage in agricultural fields?
(A) To increase the soil’s water retention capacity
(B) To prevent waterlogging and improve root growth
(C) To improve water distribution across the field
(D) To irrigate crops during dry spells

3. The term “field capacity” refers to:
(A) The amount of water the soil can hold after it has been saturated and drained
(B) The maximum water retention capacity of a soil
(C) The rate at which water is applied to the soil
(D) The amount of water available to plants from the soil

4. Which of the following types of irrigation is most suitable for crops in hilly or uneven terrain?
(A) Flood irrigation
(B) Drip irrigation
(C) Furrow irrigation
(D) Border irrigation

5. The concept of “irrigation efficiency” is defined as the ratio of:
(A) Water actually applied to the field versus total water supplied
(B) Water lost to evaporation versus total water applied
(C) The amount of water stored in the soil versus total water applied
(D) Water lost to surface runoff versus total water supplied

6. Which of the following is a primary factor that affects the design of a drainage system in agricultural fields?
(A) Soil texture
(B) Crop type
(C) Climatic conditions
(D) Field slope and permeability

7. What is the effect of waterlogging on crops?
(A) It improves crop yields due to enhanced moisture availability
(B) It inhibits root respiration and nutrient uptake, leading to reduced yields
(C) It encourages the growth of beneficial microorganisms
(D) It has no significant effect on crop growth

8. Which of the following is a major limitation of surface irrigation systems?
(A) High initial cost
(B) Poor uniformity in water distribution
(C) High water use efficiency
(D) It is only suitable for small-scale farming

9. In sprinkler irrigation, the pressure of water applied to the system primarily influences:
(A) The amount of water available for crops
(B) The uniformity of water distribution
(C) The evaporation rate of water
(D) The rate of percolation in the soil

10. What is the key challenge when implementing drip irrigation in large-scale agriculture?
(A) High water use efficiency
(B) The need for constant monitoring of water salinity
(C) The difficulty in distributing water evenly to large areas
(D) High initial setup cost and maintenance

11. Which of the following factors is most critical for determining the irrigation schedule?
(A) Soil texture and water holding capacity
(B) Water quality and chemical composition
(C) Crop water requirements and growth stage
(D) Topography and drainage rate

12. What is the primary benefit of sub-surface irrigation compared to surface irrigation?
(A) Lower initial cost
(B) Higher water application rate
(C) Reduced evaporation losses and better water distribution
(D) Simpler system maintenance

13. Which of the following is a common method to manage water quality in irrigation systems?
(A) Liming of soil
(B) Use of drip irrigation
(C) Proper filtration and treatment of water before use
(D) Flooding fields during winter months

14. What is the term used to describe the total amount of water required to meet the needs of crops throughout their growing season?
(A) Evapotranspiration (ET)
(B) Irrigation efficiency
(C) Field capacity
(D) Consumptive use

15. Which of the following drainage systems is best suited for high-value crops that require precise soil moisture control?
(A) Open ditches
(B) Subsurface drainage systems
(C) Surface drains
(D) Gravity-fed drainage systems