Riego

Riego, or irrigation, is the artificial application of water to soil or crops to maintain moisture when rainfall is insufficient or irregular. It supports crop production, landscape maintenance, and land restoration by supplying water at times when natural precipitation cannot meet plant needs.

Common methods include surface irrigation (water flows by gravity across fields), sprinkler systems (water distributed through overhead devices), and drip irrigation (water delivered directly to the root zone). Subirrigation, where water is supplied from below or through controlled drainage, is used in some settings.

A typical system includes a source of water, conveyance networks, and distribution equipment, plus control devices such as valves and sensors. Successful management also relies on irrigation scheduling, soil moisture monitoring, and weather information to determine timing and amount of water.

Scheduling aims to meet crop water requirements with minimal waste. It uses evapotranspiration data, soil type, crop stage, and rainfall; tools range from simple tensiometers to automated controls and computer models.

Benefits include higher yields, reliable production, and the ability to cultivate in dry regions. Potential drawbacks are water waste, salinization, nutrient leaching, and energy use, which can be mitigated by efficient methods such as drip irrigation and precise timing.

Irrigation has ancient roots in civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus region, with modern irrigation expanding through pumps, pressurized networks, and automated technology. It remains a major component of agricultural water management worldwide.

In many countries, irrigation is governed by water rights and institutions that manage allocation and quality, balancing agricultural needs with environmental protection and urban demand.