drip irrigation systems by: philip hanrahan and matt garrity
TRANSCRIPT
Drip Irrigation SystemsBy: Philip Hanrahan and Matt Garrity
What is Drip Irrigation?
● Irrigation method that applies water to plants at a very low rate of application and without any pressure
● The concept of the system is to target the roots of the crop rather than the entire land area the crops cover
● Water is able to reach the deepest roots of the crop through capillaries and gravity
History● First experimented in the 1860’s in Germany using clay pipes● The first drip tape was first used in the United States in the
1960’s ● It was developed by an irrigation company called Netafin which
patented the first drip irrigation system ● These systems have become a valued innovation in agriculture
because it gives an alternative to surface irrigation.
Advantages over Surface Irrigation
● Less Irrigation Water Needed● Variation in Application Rates● Avoid Over Irrigation● High Yields● No Water Logging
Advantages (cont.)
● Reduced Labor Costs● Uniform Distribution of Water● Weed and Pest Control● Suitable for any type of land ● Maintain surface temperature
Disadvantages over Surface Irrigation
● High Costso Buying the initial system can be more than other systems o Systems can be more expensive because of the extensive piping
needed
● Wasteo Tubes for drip irrigation can have a short life span requiring
replacement pipes
Disadvantages (cont.)
● Clogging o When the water is not properly filtered, the
equipment could clog easily● Extra time and money for cleanup costs after harvest ● Not beneficial to crops that are closely panted together
(eg. wheat)
Irrigation Inefficiencies • UN World Water Development Report:
- About 70% of all water use worldwide is for agriculture irrigation
- 60% of agriculture irrigation water is wasted
• 50% of the water American’s use outdoors is wasted from inefficient methods
Global Water Distribution
Water ConservationAccording to the EPA:- Drip irrigation uses 20-50% less water than
pop up systems.- Can save the average American up to 30,000
gallons per year
Droughts● 2013 Government Accountability Office
survey stated that state water managers from around the country expect freshwater shortages to continue into the next decade.
Population Growth● An estimated 9.6 billion people by 2050● Approx. 2.5 billion more mouths to feed than
now
Drip Irrigation System Components ● Pumping set
o Generates pressure to control the amount of water supplied ● Filters
o Removes the impurities in the water
● Main Lineso This is the distribution system for drip irrigationo PVC pipes and polyethylene pipes used in the systemo Pipes generally 65 mm in radius
● Sub Maino Connected to main line through a control valve o Distributes the water laterally through the field
● Drippers/emitterso Connected on the laterals in order to emit water in
drops at a continuous flow rate o flow rates generally do not exceed 15 liters/hr
Example Layout of System
Installation
Getting Started● Compared to conventional systems, drip
irrigation systems are: - easy to design
- inexpensive- easy to install
Planning and Designing ● Recommended for:
- trees, shrubs, vines, roses, vegetables, flower beds, pots, and individual plants
● Create a plant list as well as a property sketch
About the Soil● Different soils require different drippers
- Sandy: 2 GPH drippers (10”-12” spacing)- Loamy: 1 GPH drippers (16”-18” spacing)- Clay: .5 GPH drippers (18”-24” spacing)
*GPH → Gallons Per Hour
How to Start a System● Not all systems are going to be the same, thus
multiple starting options.● Factors include:
- availability of water outlets- property lay out- types of plants
Method 1● Starting from a faucet for above ground
installation using 1/2” poly tubing
Method 2● Starting from an anti-siphon valve for above
or below grade installation
Method 3● Starting with an AC or DC in-line valve for
below grade installation
Method 4● Retrofitting an existing sprinkler riser into a
multi-outlet drip manifold head
Method 5● Starting from an existing riser using a
conversion elbow
Watering Methods● Different plants require different layouts
● Classifications:1. Roses, trees, shrubs2. Container plants, hanging baskets, window boxes3. Vegetable gardens, row crops
Roses, Trees, Shrubs
Container Plants, Hanging Baskets, Boxes
Vegetable Gardens, Row Crops
Calculating Water Flow Requirements● To determine the total flow, add up the total number of
drippers and their flow rates.Ex: A system using 40 drippers consisting of 20-1 GPH and 20-2 GPH drippers
- 20-1 GPH drippers = 20 gallons/hour- 20-2 GPH drippers = 40 gallons/hour
Total flow rate: 60 GPH/60 = 1 gallon/min*Max flow rate for single line ½” poly tubing is 220GPH/3.6GPM
Watering Schedule
Drippers and Spacing
Potential Problems● Controller does not work properly
- Check to make the battery is still working
● Drippers have uneven or no flow- check for mainline leaks or replace/clean drippers
● Drippers have uneven or no flow at end of line- make sure you have not go over max flow rate (220GPH)
Maintenance● Inspect drippers periodically to prevent
clogging● Filter screens should be cleaned once a
month● Tubing lines should be flushed once a month● During freezing weather tubing should be
drained and stored
Interesting Fact
● With marijuana production becoming a booming industry…-Drip irrigation is the most effective system for the plant and is widely used