Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks to identify the most water-efficient irrigation method for areas where water is scarce, such as arid (dry) and semi-arid regions.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The key principle in arid regions is to maximize Water Use Efficiency (WUE). This means delivering water to the plant's roots with minimum loss from evaporation, runoff, or deep percolation. The approach is to compare the efficiency of the given irrigation methods.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
(C) Drip irrigation: This method involves a network of pipes that deliver water slowly and directly to the soil at the plant's root zone, drop by drop. It has the highest water application efficiency (over 90%) because it minimizes evaporation and runoff. This makes it the ideal choice for water-scarce regions.
Other methods are less efficient:
(A) Flood irrigation and (D) Basin irrigation: These are surface irrigation methods that involve flooding the entire field. They lead to significant water loss through evaporation and deep percolation.
(B) Sprinkler irrigation: This method sprays water over the plants, resembling rainfall. It is more efficient than flooding but still loses a considerable amount of water to evaporation, especially in windy and hot arid conditions.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Drip irrigation is the most suitable and efficient method for horticultural regions with limited water resources. Therefore, option (C) is correct.