SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ENGINEERING
1. What is drip irrigation?
Drip irrigation is the process of delivering precise amounts of water and nutrients directly to the plant's root zone, drop by drop, offering growers exact irrigation control and efficient use of limited water resources.
2. Why should I use drip irrigation?
Slow even flow of water to plants and soil |
Shrubs and plants will thrive. Application of water and nutrients directly to the plant's roots is the best way to ensure plant health and vitality. |
Easy to install - flexible and daptable |
Dripperline installs easily in tight, awkwardly shaped areas that are hard to water with conventional spray systems. |
Solves spray irrigation
problems |
No damaging spray on buildings, windows, fencing, or pedestrians in high traffic areas. Avoids unsightly brown spots on roses and other flowers, since spray never touches the plants. Soil and foliage are kept dry, reducing fungal diseases. |
Improved plant growth |
Makes plants fuller and healthier. Water and nutrients delivered directly to the root zone promotes healthy plant growth and reduces plant stress. Soil aeration is improved because soil particles are not washed down, decreasing soil compaction and improving root growth. |
Saves on maintenance & labor |
No moving sprinkler parts to have to repair. Installs with far less labor than sprinklers. |
Unobtrusive & aesthetic |
Hidden and lying near the plant, colored Brown. Doesn't interfere with landscaping or scenery. |
Security |
No exposed sprinkler heads, pipes or surface dripperlines to trip on or tamper with. |
3.Where should I use drip irrigation?
You'll be delighted with the fuller blooms and greater beauty of your annuals and perennials when watered. Mature plants and shrubs grow fuller and healthier with dripperline's versus sprinkler watering.
4. Why Micro Irrigation is necessary?
- To improve the productivity of irrigated land from the present low levels.
- To improve use-efficiencies of Water, Energy, Nutrient and Human Effort in Agriculture.
- To conserve scarce resources such as Water and Electricity.
- To extend the benefits of irrigated agriculture to more people with the available water.
- To facilitate better crop management through Fertigation and Chemigation
5. What are the advantages of Micro Irrigation?
- Crop Yield Enhancement
- Saving in Irrigation Water
- Saving in Energy in pumping
- Savings in Fertilizer consumption
- Quality Improvement of Produce
- Improved Pest & Disease Control
- Improves Soil Health
- Reduced Weed Growth
- Reduced Labor Costs
- Suitable for Marginal lands
- Suitable for inferior quality water
6. What is subsurface drip irrigation (SDI)?
When a drip tape or tube is buried below the soil surface, it is less vulnerable to damage during cultivation or weeding. With SDI, water use efficiency is maximized because there is even less evaporation or runoff.
7. What is sprinkler irrigation?
Sprinkler Irrigation is a method of applying irrigation water which is similar to rainfall. Water is distributed through a system of pipes usually by pumping. It is then sprayed into the air and irrigated entire soil surface through spray heads so that it breaks up into small water drops which fall to the ground.
Sprinklers provide efficient coverage for small to large areas and are suitable for use on all types of properties. It is also adaptable to nearly all irrigable soils since sprinklers are available in a wide range of discharge capacity.
8. What is Microirrigation System?
Microirrigation is frequent application of water directly on or below the soil surface near the root zone of plants. It delivers required and measured quantity of water in relatively small amounts slowly to the individual or groups of plants. Water is applied as continuous drops, tiny streams, or fine spray through emitters placed along a low-pressure delivery system. Such system provides water precisely to plant root zones and maintains ideal moisture conditions for plant growths.
9. Types of Microirrigation System
The basic types of microirrigation system are as follows:
Surface System : It is the system in which emitters and laterals are laid on the ground surface along the rows of crops. The emitting devices are located in the root zone area of trees.
Sub-surface System : It is a system in which water is applied slowly below the land surface through emitters. Such systems are generally preferred in semi permanent/permanent installations.
Bubbler system: In this system the water is applied to the soil surface in a small stream or fountain. Bubbler systems do not require elaborate filtration systems. These are suitable in situations where large amount of water need to be applied in a short period of time and suitable for irrigating trees with wide root zones and high water requirements.
Micro and mini Sprinklers : These are small plastic sprinklers with rotating spinners. The spinners rotate with water pressure and sprinkle the water. These are available in different discharges and diameters of coverage and can operate at low pressure in the range of 1.0 to 2kg/cm2. Water is given only to the root zone area as in the case of drip irrigation but not to the entire ground surface as done in the case of sprinkler irrigation method.
Pulse : Pulse system uses high discharge rate emitters and consequently has short water application time. The primary advantage of this system is a possible reduction in the clogging problem.
Biwall :
It is extruded dual chamber micro-irrigation tubing manufactured from Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). This system is suitable for all closely spaced row crops like sugarcane, cotton, vegetables, onion, tea etc.
10. How about those tight or awkwardly shaped areas that are difficult to water with conventional spray systems?
Dripper lines solve the problem and avoid spraying your walls, window and fences. Consistent watering with dripper lines helps establish and protect new shrub beds and planting areas.
11. Can I save money using drip irrigation vs. traditional spray sprinklers?
It is frequently more profitable to install a systems when you are dealing with long, narrow strips, awkwardly shaped areas, or tree, shrub and bedding plant areas - both from a materials cost and labor standpoint. To help the minimize liability and vandalism and saves your customers' costs associated with continued maintenance and water usage. A simple shrub bed installation is quick and easy, either buried 4" below the surface or beneath mulch.
12. What about different soil types? Even clay?
Subsurface irrigation works better in heavy clay or sand conditions than traditional sprinkler systems. Even "heavy clay" and "sandy" soils are a mixture sand, silt and clay. Loam, which contains equal proportions of sand, silt and clay, is ideal. However, plants can thrive in a very broad spectrum of soil textures when subsurface watering is applied at the proper rate, with appropriate spacing. Different soils create typical wetting pattern shades as seen at right. Note the dramatic overlap ensuring total coverage throughout varying root zone depths.
Drip irrigation works great in clay soils. What most people regard as "heavy clay" and "sandy" soils are actually mixtures of sand, silt and clay which will allow for adequate water movement and retention between soil particles.
13. Does water only move downward, pulled by gravity?
When applied slowly (as in drip irrigation) water radiates outward from its source point, creating an overlapping wetting pattern beneath the ground. See the "wetted pattern" illustration" at right. When applied slowly to the soil at a single point, water moves through the soil in two ways:
1. Downward pulled by gravity.
2. Outward and upward, pulled by a capillary action.
14. How can I tell the system is working?
There are several ways to verify that your system is working, including:
- Feel for moisture just below the surface of the soil directly above a dripper.
- Run micro tubing to the surface at the end of a zone and use it as a point source dripper.
- Install a flag indicator at the end of zone.
- Monitor flow at the water meter.
Because water travels both upward and outward from the dripper, the soil will usually be damp at, or close to, the surface.
15. Will an automatic sprinkler system use more water than I'm currently using?
No. In fact, it will conserve water. The system's controller and rain sensor will be set so you receive only the amount of water you need. You will not over-water or under-water your lawn with an automatic sprinkler system.
16. Does having a sprinkler system really save time?
Yes. You won't have to spend another minute of your valuable leisure time watering the lawn. Whether you are home or away your system will do the watering for you!
17. Will automatic sprinkler system water as well as I can water by hand?
It will do a much better job because a professionally designed system will deliver exactly the right amount of water to individual lawn and garden areas.
18. We generally get 40 or more inches of rainfall a year. Do we really need a sprinkler system?
If it rained at your house every three days the same exact amount each time you probably would not need a sprinkler system. But nature does not work that way, and the only way to ensure healthy, lush growth is to make certain your lawn and plants receive a regularly timed, evenly measured amount of water. In the dry season when there is little or no rain, your yard can suffer damage after just a few days without water
19. Can I save money by installing my own system?
No! In fact, it could cost you more money in the long run. A professional irrigation contractor will design and install the most cost-effective and energy-efficient system possible. You can be certain that he will select the appropriate equipment for the job, while streamlining the maintenance required to keep your landscaping in top shape. He will pay special attention to such important factors as sprinkler patterns (it is important to overlap the patterns so that the outer edges receive sufficient water for healthy growth) and backflow prevention (which is necessary to protect your drinking water supply). And because your contractor is familiar with local plumbing and electrical codes, you won't have to worry about costly mistakes in wiring or pipe installation. He can do the job faster, with less disruption to existing landscaping, and will guarantee his work.
20. Will I have difficulty operating this system?
Your contractor will explain to you how your controller works and how the watering times have been set. Then if necessary, the watering times can be adjusted by following the instructions on the inside of the controller cabinet. And that is it; the system does the rest for you. Hopefully, some of your questions have been answered. If there are any problems or concerns you may have call us on our 24-hour phone line or visit us at: www.tompkinslandscape.com.
21. How to protect the drip system from rat?
By providing raised beds over the laterals.
22. Emitter is not functioning well, why?
It’s due to some fine particles clogging the emitter because of bad quality of water. In that case we should provide filtration unit for removing fine particulars present in the water.
24. How much subsidy government gives for installation of drip system?
50 % of installation drip irrigation cost as given as subsidy by the government
24. Which type of mulching material is useful for controlling Weeds?
Normally Black polythene film is recommended for controlling weeds
25. How to clean the drip system?
Open all end caps in lateral; main and submain pipes and operate the motor at least ten minutes to remove all fine particles presents in drip irrigation system.
26. How to reduce the drip system cost?
In Paired row system, the total number of lateral is less comparing to single row system. Total cost of unit will reduce by adopting this method.
27. How much depth is needed for laying sub main in the field?
Normally we recommended 60-70 cm from the top of the soil.
28. Venturi is not working well, why?
There is less pressure in pressure gauge or leaking problem in venturi system or pump is not functioning well.
29. Why water is not flowing upto lateral end?
Because of holes, bents and cuts in laterals. To avoid this close the holes and cut and remove the bends present in the laterals.
30. While removing the end plug white mixture is coming. Why?
This is due to uncleaned lateral and more salinity in water. This can be avoided by cleaning the laterals fortnightly
31. Some times oily gum material comes out on opening the lateral end. Why?
Presence of more algae or ferrous material in water. Clean the laterals with water or give chemical treatment.
32. Why Pressure gauge is not working some times?
Rain water entry inside. Corrosion in gauge pointer damage. Provide plastic cover and fix pointer properly.
33. How drop in pressure occurs?
Leakage in main opened outlet and low water level in well. Arrest the leakage and close outlet and lower the pump with reference to well water level.
34. What is the reason for more pressure at the entry of sand filter?
Provide bypass before filter and regulate pressure. Place filter element properly. Fill required quantity of sand.
35. Leakage of water from air release valve. Why?
Due to damaged air release valve ring. Replace the damaged ring.
36. Suitable crops for drip irrigation
37. Suitable crops for Sprinkler irrigation
- Lemongrass, Groundnut, Pulses, Sugarcane and Tubercrops
Further details
Professor and Head
Soil and Water Conservation Engineering
Agricultural Engineering College and Research Institute
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Coimbatore-3
Ph: 0422- 6611258 / 6611211
Fax: 0422-6611455
www.netafim-usa-landscape.com
www.netafim.com
www.tompkinslandscape.com
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