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Why is irrigation also used in humid regions?
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land reclamation
The Yser River flowing through reclaimed farmland in Belgium.
In humid regions, irrigation is used as a strategic tool to support agricultural productivity rather than as a primary necessity for basic cultivation. Its application in these areas serves several key purposes:
- Supplemental Irrigation: Irrigation is frequently employed to supplement natural rainfall, acting as insurance against extended dry periods or droughts that can occur during the growing season. This practice, often referred to as supplemental irrigation, ensures consistent water availability for crops.1234
- Specific Crop Requirements: Certain crops, such as paddy rice, require significant amounts of water that may exceed what is provided by local precipitation alone, necessitating irrigation even in humid climates.56
- Frost Protection: Irrigation can be used to protect plants from frost damage. By applying water to the soil or directly to plants via sprinkler systems, farmers can increase heat radiation or utilize the heat released during the freezing of water to maintain leaf temperatures above critical levels.72
- Intensive Production: Irrigation is also used for high-value vegetable crops to maintain optimal growth conditions, often utilizing overhead sprinkler systems to ensure precise water delivery.5