1.

Constant rainfall directly affects my field of specialization in horticulture since it deals with different kinds of plant crops that should be managed efficiently to receive a bountiful harvest. The crop field should therefore have proper irrigation and drainage canals so that the crops would not drown due to constant rainfall. When rain falls, the first drops of water are intercepted by the leaves and stems of the vegetation. This is usually referred to as interception storage. As the rain continues, water reaching the ground surface infiltrates into the soil until it reaches a stage where the rate of rainfall exceeds the infiltration capacity of the soil. Thereafter, surface puddles, ditches, and other depressions are filled, after which runoff is generated. The infiltration capacity of the soil depends on its texture and structure, as well as on the antecedent soil moisture content. The initial capacity of a dry soil is high but, as the storm continues, it decreases until it reaches a steady value termed as final infiltration rate. The process of runoff generation continues as long as the rainfall intensity exceeds the actual infiltration capacity of the soil but it stops as soon as the rate of rainfall drops below the actual rate of infiltration. The infiltration capacity is among others dependent on the porosity of a soil which determines the water storage capacity and affects the resistance of water to flow into deeper layers. Porosity differs from one soil type to the other. The highest infiltration capacities are observed in loose, sandy soils while heavy clay or loamy soils have considerable smaller infiltration capacities. The infiltration capacity depends furthermore on the moisture content prevailing in a soil at the onset of a rainstorm. 2. The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is used to predict the long term mean annual rate of erosion on a field slope based on topography, soil type, rainfall pattern, crop system and management practices. USLE only predicts the amount of soil that is lost which results from sheet or rill erosion on a single slope and does not account for additional soil losses that might occur from gully, wind or tillage erosion. This erosion model was created for use in selected cropping and management systems, but is also applicable to nonagricultural conditions such as construction sites. The USLE can be used to compare soil losses from a particular field with a specific crop and management system to "tolerable soil loss" rates. Alternative management and crop systems may also be evaluated to determine the adequacy of conservation measures in farm planning. A =R x K x LS x C x P Five major factors are used to calculate the soil loss for a given site. Each factor is the numerical estimate of a specific condition that affects the severity of soil erosion at a particular location. The erosion values reflected by these factors can vary considerably due to varying weather conditions. Therefore, the values obtained from the USLE more accurately represent long-term averages.

A represents the potential long term average annual soil loss in tons per acre per year. This is the amount, which is compared to the "tolerable soil loss" limits. R is the rainfall and runoff factor the greater the intensity and duration of the rain storm, the higher the erosion potential. K is the soil erodibility factor, it is a measure of the susceptibility of soil particles to detachment and transport by rainfall and runoff. LS is the slope lengthgradient factor, the steeper and longer the slope the higher is the risk for erosion. C is the crop/vegetation and management factor, it is used to determine the relative effectiveness of soil and crop management systems in terms of preventing soil loss. P is the support practice factor, it reflects the effects of practices that will reduce the amount and rate of the water runoff and thus reduce the amount of erosion. The most critical from among the factors of the equation is rainfall because it is uncontrollable since naturally occurring while the other factors such as erodibility factor can be controlled using barriers. The slope length can also be controlled since you choose your field location before everything else. Crop and vegetation is also controlled since you choose which to plant. The support practice is then based on the other factors since it is necessary to control them. 3. In order to prevent any violent confrontation between the two irrigators association (IA) a valid letter of request must be handed to the concerned department. This is to prevent the local IA from being penalized of disobeying the irrigation act 2152, as amended by PD # 424 Irrigation Law. This law provides a system for the appropriation of public waters, for the public registration of all water rights; for the creation and use of water; for the construction, maintenance and operation of irrigation systems by private persons for the inspection and regulation of all works pertaining to the use of water; and providing penalties for its violation and for other purposes. According to Sect. 2 of the irrigation act 2152 the power to grant appropriation of public waters is vested in the secretary of commerce and communication and the national water resources council. It states the NWRC functions and powers - that is - to coordinate and integrate on a sound and logical basis, water resources development activities of the country within the context of national plans and policies for social and economic development. This means that in order to properly obtain an irrigation line connected upstream, NWRC must approve it first. Since my area is located downstream and needs to be irrigated, R.A. 3601 as amended by PD #552 (the charter of the NIA) the NIA is given the authority to construct all types of irrigation systems, reclamation and drainage of unproductive agricultural lands. It also gives the authority to charge and collect necessary irrigation fees and; formulate and adopt policies for the management of the NIA.