DRIP IRRIGATION IN FRUIT CROPS

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUREASSAM AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY,JORHAT

DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE

Presented By:Utpal Das14-AMJ-93

DRIP IRRIGATIONDrip irrigation is a micro irrigation method in

which the rate of water application is very low and without any pressure. i.e., drop by drop

Drip irrigation is based on the basic concept of irrigation only the roots zone of crop , rather than the entire land surface on which the crop is grown.

Water flows from the emission points through the soil by capillarity and gravity.

The soil moisture content of the crop root zone is maintain at near optimum level to facilate optimum crop growth and production.

ARRANGEMENT FOR DRIP SYSTEM

DRIP IRRIGATION IS USEFUL FOR FRUIT CROPS

Banana, Grapes, Citrus, Pomegranate, Papaya, Pineapple, Watermelon, Sweet lime, Mango, Kinnow, Mosambi.

ADVANTAGES OF DRIP IRRIGATION IN FRUITS Increased yieldEarly maturityWater savingFertilizer savingIncreased fertilizer use efficiency by cropEnergy savingLabour savingMarginal land & undulated land can be irrigatedUse of saline water is possible for irrigationReduced weed growthLess problem of disease and pestEasy intercultural operations

DISADVANTAGES OF DRIP IRRIGATIONHigh cost :

drip irrigation systems are expensive because of there requirements of large quantity of piping & filtration equipment to clean the water.

Expense: Initial cost can be more than overhead systems.

Waste:The sun can affect the tubes used for drip irrigation,

shortening their usable life. Longevity is variable.Clogging:

If the water is not properly filtered and the equipment not properly maintained, it can result in clogging.

Drip tape causes extra cleanup costs after harvest. You'll need to plan for drip tape winding, disposal, recycling or reuse.

This method is not suitable for closely planted crops such as wheat

COMPARISONDrip method Flood method

Water savingHigh, between 40 and 100 %

Less. High rates of evaporation, surface run off and percolation

Irrigation efficiency 80 – 90 % 30 - 50 %

Weed problem Almost nil High

Suitable water Even saline water can

be used

Only normal water can

be used

Diseases and pests Relatively less High

Efficiency of fertilizer use

Very high since supply

is regulated

Heavy losses due to

leaching

Drip method Flood method

Water logging Nil High

Water controlCan be regulated easily Not much control

Cost benefit ratio (additional amount in rupees for every rupee invested)

Excluding water savings: 1.3 - 13.3, Including water savings: 2.8 - 30.0

Between 1.8 and 3.9

Capital cost/ha Rs 15,000 to 40, 000

depending ––on crop spacing

Yield increase20 - 100 % higher than flood method

Less compared to drip

COMPONENTS OF DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Pumping setFiltersMainlinesSub-mainLateralsDrippers/emitters

Pumping set:To create a pressure about 2.5 Kg/sq cm to regulate the amount of water to be supplied.

• Filter :To filter the water in Order to remove the suspended impurities from water.

Main lines: It is a Distribution system in drip

irrigation. Rigid PVC and high density polyethylene pipes are used as main pipes to minimized corrosion and clogging.

Pipes of 65 mm diameter and with pressure rating of 4 to 10 kg/sq. cm

Sub Main: It is usually connected to the main

lines through a control valve assembly.

The function of its to distributes water uniformly to a number laterals.

Drippers/emitters:It is fitted to a drip irrigation

lateral and intended to emit water in the form of drops or continuous flow at emitter rates not exceeding 15 liters/hr.

Drippers function as energy dissipated, reducing the inlet pressure head in the lateral, which generally range from 0.3 to 1.5 atmosphere .

CROPYIELD (kg/acre)

Surface Drip % more

WATER USE (m3/acre)

Surface Drip % saving

Banana

Grapes

Pomegranate

Sweetlime

Mango

Papaya

Watermelon

Ber/tree

Kinnow

Guava/tree

23000

8000

6050

4000

3000

5200

9610

13.7

2720

160

35000

12000

11700

6000

5400

9200

15500

18.0

3920

220

52.1

50.0

94.5

50.0

80.0

76.9

61.3

31.3

44.1

37.5

7040 3880 44.8

3520

3920

34.02320

2196

6640

5100

2560

3324 34.8

61.4

43.9

68.0

40.5

18.8

29209120

1680

15.4

884

1000

12.5

692 21.7

6.4 5.2 18.7

Mosambi* 40000 50.060000 6640 2560 61.4

More than 70% of Indian farmers are small scale operators cultivating plots less than one hectare. Irratic rainfall pattern play havoc into the livelihoods of the small farmers who do not have any alternate supply of water.

BENEFITS TO FARMERS :

CONCLUSION

• Drip irrigation system is an economical and very efficient system of irrigating for fruit crops, vegetables, row crops etc.

• Drip irrigated crops use less water compared to overhead irrigated crops.

• Drip irrigation increase yield.

Thank you