Which irrigation method has the lowest efficiency with about 45% loss?

• A. Drip Irrigation
• B. Center Pivot Irrigation
• C. Sprinkler Irrigation
• D. Flood Irrigation

Answer: (D)

Efficiency in irrigation is the portion of water applied that actually benefits the crop, reaching the root zone. Flood irrigation sends water across the field surface and infiltrates in a largely uncontrolled way, leading to substantial losses. Evaporation from the wet soil surface, runoff to field edges, and deep percolation beyond the root zone all contribute to a large portion of water not used by the plants. That combination typically results in the lowest efficiency among common methods, often around 55% useful water and about 45% lost, which matches the scenario described. In contrast, drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone with minimal surface losses, while center-pivot and other sprinkler systems distribute water more evenly than flood irrigation, reducing losses overall.