Micro – Drip irrigation

• Water applies at a low rate over a longer time and more frequent intervals

• Water is applied at or near the root zone

• Emitters discharge the water from the distribution line to the soil

Advantages - Disadvantages

• Less water and energy is required• Improved water quality• Improved crop quality

• Can be relatively high first cost• Problems with clogging• Problems obtaining uniform watering• More operation and maintenance cost

Need to get water to systemand apply the water

Emitters should be

• Inexpensive

• Not clog easily

• Provided uniform discharge of water

• Features include: pressure compensating, and self flushing

Drip – Trickle – specific area – shrubs

Use multiple emitter discharge points placed three quarters of the way from the trunk to the outer canopy of the plant

Space emitters equally apart2 – 180º; 3 – 120º; 4 – 90º; etc

This watering scheme maximizes the efficiency of your drip system.

Micro sprays – Water uniformly over small areas

Application Uniformity

• Scheduling Coefficient (SC)

• Christiansen’s Coefficient

•One measure used to compare sprinkler distribution is the scheduling coefficient or SC.

•Scheduling Coefficient (SC) is the average depth of water in the catch cans divided by the depth of water in the catch can having the least amount of water.

Christiansen’s Coefficient

• Measures the difference form the mean

• Adds the differences together

• Divides by the mean