Irrigation is a critical process to ensure the survival and growth of crops in agriculture. A suitable irrigation system is necessary to deliver water to plants when there is a shortage of rainfall. However, some irrigation systems are more effective than others - which irrigation system is least efficient?

We can compare different types of irrigation systems to determine their level of efficiency. Here are some of the most common irrigation systems:

1. Flood Irrigation:

This type of irrigation involves flooding the entire field with water, allowing the water to percolate into the ground. Flood irrigation uses valuable water and causes soil erosion. The water is not uniformly distributed, leaving some parts of the field dry.

2. Furrow Irrigation:

In Furrow Irrigation, water is delivered to the crops through channels formed in the soil. This method is not very efficient because it can cause soil erosion, and water is prone to evaporate before it reaches the roots.

3. Sprinkler Irrigation:

Sprinkler Irrigation is a system that relies on overhead sprinklers to distribute water uniformly over the field. This method is more efficient than flood irrigation and furrow irrigation, but still can lead to water wastage due to evaporation and wind drift.

4. Drip Irrigation:

Drip Irrigation is a system where water is released through small holes directly above the plants' roots. It is an efficient and effective method of irrigation as it delivers water precisely to where it is needed. This system minimizes the risk of water wastage, and it is perfect for arid and windy environments where other methods of watering might not be useful.

In conclusion, it is evident that flood irrigation and furrow irrigation are the least efficient methods of watering crops. Both of these methods use large amounts of water that is susceptible to evaporation and runoff, leading to soil erosion and wasting of water. On the other hand, sprinkler irrigation is more efficient than flood and furrow irrigation, but it is still less efficient than drip irrigation, which is the most effective method of irrigation. Therefore, if you want to cut down water usage and maximize irrigation efficiency, it's best to opt for drip irrigation.