Posts Tagged drip irrigation system
September 21, 2009 at 11:49 am · Filed under Drip irrigation ·Tagged 25mm, backflow preventer, ball valves, butterfly valves, closest point, control valve, control valves, disk valves, drip irrigation system, drip irrigation systems, drip tubes, gate valves, globe valve, globe valves, home gardeners, irrigation controller, irrigation valves, water flow, water source, zone control
If you want to irrigate your farms with a drip irrigation system, having the right drip irrigation valves properly installed is a must.
There are various types of drip irrigation valve you can find in the market. Most drip irrigation systems need at least two different purposive-types: an emergency shut off one and a controlled one.
Emergency Shut Off Valves
Emergency shut off valves are drip irrigation valves to be installed in the area where you tap in for your drip irrigation system. It is the closest point to water source. Having these valves installed is crucial. Without them, you will have to shut off the water flow to your entire house should an irrigation breakdown occurs. Without them, you will also have to work on the mainline or irrigation valves.
The most commonly used for this purpose are gate valves. They are quite affordable though also tend to wear out quickly and then start leaking. Better recommended are ball valves, disk valves and butterfly valves. They are more reasonably pricey than gate valves since they are much more reliable and last several times longer.
Zone Control Valves
Zone control valves are drip irrigation valves that turn on and off water to the drip tubes (or hoses). Often these valves are automatically turned on and off by an irrigation controller/timer.
For a small drip irrigation system you may need only one zone control valve. While for bigger drip irrigation systems several more may be required.
There are two basic types of zone control valve: standard globe valve and anti-siphon valve.
Standard globe valves can be found in almost any size. They are often installed below the ground, kept inside a box or a vault. Since a standard globe valve does not incorporate a backflow preventer, you must provide one on your own.
Anti-siphon valves can be found in 20mm (3/4 inch) and 25mm (1 inch) sizes. They are most recommended for home gardeners since they incorporate a backflow preventer, thus saving a considerable amount of money. The valves must be installed above the ground, at least 150mm (6 inch) higher than the highest drip emitter. This requirement may be a problem for certain areas, but you can always install anti-siphon valves on top of trellis or at the top of the slope (if you have a garden with slopes).
Indexing Valves
Indexing valves are a single valve unit purposely installed to control several valve zones. Usually available in models with or without a built-in anti-siphon device, it requires a special controller to operate. It has a water inlet and several water outlets. When the control unit sends the first signal it opens the first water outlet. At the next signal it switches to the second water outlet. And then to the third, fourth and so on till it gets back to the first water outlet, at which point it shuts off.
Indexing valves must be installed above the ground, at least 150mm (6 inch) higher than the highest drip emitter. It has never been too popular and is generally available in certain regions where a nearby manufacturer has promoted them.
Permalink
September 21, 2009 at 11:46 am · Filed under Drip irrigation ·Tagged barbed fittings, chemical compatibility, compression fittings, diameters, drip irrigation system, drip irrigation tubing, drip water, drippers, gph, important factors, irrigation hose, maximum flow rate, moisture levels, plant root zone, Polyethylene, productivity, psi, rodent damage, Soil, tiny holes
Drip irrigation hoses, also known as drip irrigation tubing, are hoses specifically designed to carry water and drip it through tiny holes attached to them; the tiny holes are called “emitters”. They drip water slowly into the soil exactly at the plant root zone where it is needed. This way moisture levels are kept optimal, improving plants productivity and quality.
Drip irrigation hoses are made of polyethylene. They come in various types and diameters, accordingly to your needs. The length of a single drip irrigation hose should not over 200 feet from the point where water enters it.
You need to stake the hoses to keep them from moving. More importantly, never bury the hoses and their emitters even if they are designed to be. Otherwise, you will need to spend more time and energy to overcome clogging and rodent damage.
When choosing hoses for your drip irrigation system, you have to keep in mind these important factors: size, pressure rating, weight, length and chemical compatibility.
Some drip irrigation hoses available in the market :
Drip Irrigation Hose .580
It comes in various lengths: 25’, 50’, 100’ and 500’.
Using .580 compression fittings, it operates at pressure rate 10 to 60 PSI and has a maximum flow rate 180 GPH. It is best if you operate it at pressure rate 25 PSI.
Drip Irrigation Hose .700
It comes in various lengths: 50’, 100’ and 500’.
Using .700 compression fittings, it operates at pressure rate 10 to 60 PSI and has a maximum flow rate at 240 GPH. It is best if you operate it at pressure rate 25 PSI.
Drip Irrigation Hose .820
It comes in various lengths: 100’, 250’ and 500’
Using .820 compression fittings, it operates at pressure rate 10 to 60 PSI and has a maximum flow rate at 380 GPH. It is best if you operate it at pressure rate 25 PSI.
1/4″ Micro-Drip Irrigation Hose
It comes in various lengths: 25’, 50’, 100’ and 500’. Used with 1/4” barbed fittings, it is used for extending drippers and micro-sprinklers from main line or as the primary line in a small drip irrigation system. It can be put above or below the ground.
Use this hose to distribute water from main line to drippers, misters and low volume sprinklers.
1/4″ Laser Drilled Drip Irrigation Hose
It comes in various lengths: 50’ and 100’. Holes are laser drilled into the hose against the flow of water. Used with 1/4″ barbed fittings, it is to be put within 12” or 6” space.
Permalink
September 20, 2009 at 12:31 pm · Filed under Drip irrigation ·Tagged agricultural chemicals, capillary action, conventional surface, crop yields, drip irrigation system, drip irrigation systems, evaporation of water, irrigation cycles, management research laboratory, precise application, root zones, soil saturation, soil type, subsurface drip irrigation, surface drip irrigation, time span, vegetable crops, vine crops, water loss, water management research
Drip irrigation systems are mostly installed permanently or semi-permanently above the ground. When applied to irrigate trees and vine crops, they promote no problem. However, when applied to irrigate field and vegetable crops, certain problems occur, mostly because the drip irrigation systems have to be installed and retrieved annually. The annual handling is harmful to the life time span of the system, even under the best handling conditions. Hence the subsurface drip irrigation system emerges.
The depth installment of subsurface drip irrigation system is determined by the soil type and the crops planted. An efficient installation has water moving at the depth of 4 to 30 inches beneath the surface, forming a continuous watered area along the plants row. Frequent irrigation cycles, up to several times every day, maximize capillary action and minimize water surfacing.
Four subsurface drip irrigation systems have been designed, installed and successfully produce better yields by the Water Management Research laboratory of the USDA in Fresno. The oldest one was installed in 1981 and used for three years to irrigate tomatoes. During those years, they also successfully produced twice as much broccoli, at the same farm.
Subsurface drip irrigation system allows the precise application of water, nutrients and other agricultural chemicals directly to the plants root zones. It allows the optimization of growing environment, which leads to higher quality and quantity crop yields.
With the same amount of water, subsurface drip irrigation system waters 46% larger volume of soil than any conventional (surface) drip irrigation system. It decreases the soil saturation, which not only leaves room for more air, but also improves water capillary movement and decreases water loss due to deep percolation. The top 15 – 20 cm of soil remains dry, therefore evaporation of water at the top of the soil may decrease and less salt will accumulate at the surface.
Permanent installation of subsurface drip irrigation system also provides considerable labor saving since irrigation can be applied while the whole equipment stays in the farm.
Any soil surface crusts which usually lead to infiltration problems are no longer trouble makers; they are bypassed if this subsurface drip irrigation system is installed. Other farming applications required to support the conventional drip irrigation system is no longer required, too.
Since subsurface drip irrigation system is installed below the ground, all components are not exposed to sun light, constant wetting, weather changes and other environmental changes. It is expected to last longer than the conventional drip irrigation system.
Permalink
September 13, 2009 at 9:32 am · Filed under Drip irrigation, Greenhouse, Orchard ·Tagged conducive conditions, drip irrigation design, drip irrigation system, field soil, flow regulators, greenhouse plants, ground surface, growth of plants, irrigation method, irrigations, massive support, moisture level, plumbing accessories, pressure flow, pressure regulators, productive systems, soil surface, surface design, uninterrupted growth, water requirement
Greenhouses type of plantation has gained massive support from the people all around. They need to have better growth under specified condition. Also the growth of plants can be termed healthy due to procurement of essential conditions that are for the uninterrupted growth of plants. The harmful radiations can be stopped from approaching the plants productive systems. Conducive conditions are reached at the greenhouses instituting better growth of plants.
Essentials for drip irrigation
Essentials for any type of irrigation system are water supply. The source of water can determine the type of irrigation employed. The drip irrigation involves effective management of the water through proper channel. The channeling of water can be established by rational drip irrigation design. Also the moisture level at the region beneath the soil surface to be regulated periodically with drip irrigation system
Why greenhouses require drip irrigation ?
Drip irrigations are essential in area wherein there is scarcity in water.. Greenhouses are generally associated planned agriculture carried out at the expense of quite substantial investment. The effectiveness of the greenhouse is greatly determined by the quality of the plants grown so avoid any kind of pest or weed attack to the greenhouse plants, one needs to adopt for irrigation. It eliminates the opportunity for the growth of other types of plants like weeds taking nutrients from the ground surface.
Design your own greenhouse drip irrigation
Drip irrigation can be customized based on the type of the field that is to be irrigated. The irrigation system involves the use of tubing, valves, pressure regulators and other plumbing accessories to get planned irrigation method. Pressure flow regulators to a maximum value of about 30 psi can regulate the operating pressure of tubing. The slope of field, soil features and water source can be carefully studied before validating a design. The water requirement for a particular variety of plant can determine particular type of accessory like emitter to be used.
Permalink
September 13, 2009 at 9:30 am · Filed under Drip irrigation, Vegetative Production ·Tagged adequate level, agricultural practice, agricultural practices, bubblers, c onventional, different kinds of plants, drip irrigation system, garden vegetable, grown plants, growth of plants, micro irrigation, moisture level, proper maintenance, random type, usage of water, vegetable garden, vegetable gardens, vegetable plants, wastage of water, watering plants
Conventional irrigation system is confined with number of disadvantages to be associated with. The development of the facilities in agriculture has prompted people to adopt drip irrigation for carrying out all agricultural practices. Drip irrigation provides several features when compared with the
Drip irrigation for vegetable gardens
Vegetable gardens are irrigated by drip irrigation in modern agricultural practice.. Gardens employ different kinds of plants to be grown under one shelter. This makes the work of gardener to be difficult in maintaining the garden. So it is advisable to use drip irrigation technique to have programmed watering of plants. This enables proper maintenance of moisture level in the ground. Since vegetable plants require different watering for obtaining better growth of plants.
Tips for getting efficient drip irrigation for vegetable gardens
It is essential to maintain adequate level of pressure in the tubing of drip irrigation. The micro irrigation technique can aid planned watering of younger plants. The watering of large and grown plants can be done using different types of emitters. Overall usage of water can be optimized with some practical testing of the drip irrigation system after installation. Vegetable plants like carrot can require only adequate amount of moisture to be maintained through out its growth cycle. So it is advisable for the designers to use multiple emitters and bubblers to carryout watering of those plants. Stream bubblers can be used for watering plants like tomato. The constant moisture can be preserved in the vegetable garden by drip irrigation technique.
Advantages of drip irrigation in vegetable gardens
Vegetable gardens with drip irrigation involve splitters used to channel the water for different plants. These can reduce the overall wastage of water yielding to effective water conservation. Drip irrigation provides random type watering enabling elimination of the weeds in vegetable garden. Vegetable gardens are prevented from soil erosion by using modular drip irrigation system.
Permalink
September 10, 2009 at 1:39 pm · Filed under Drip irrigation ·Tagged 2l, adequate level, diameter, drip irrigation system, drip irrigation systems, effective control, flow pressure, flow rate, flow regulators, flow valves, gpm, high flow, intensity, low flow, main ingredient, medium flow, pressure regulator, pressure regulators, psi, root tips
Drip irrigation is popular among all people residing all over the world. The utility of drip irrigation is characterized by the presence of certain implied conditions to be satisfied. These technical requirements determine the overall activity of the drip irrigation system.
Technical requirements
The pressure is the main ingredient that is to be maintained by tubing with adequate level of supply of water. The tubing should withstand a pressure of about 2 bars. The tubing is to be maintained sufficiently deep in the ground. The ground can be dug to a depth that can be easily approached by the root tips of plants. Pressure regulation can be done to minimize or maximize the pressure that is maintained. Also flow valves can control the intensity of water. The ideal flow that is used is about 0.2l/s for standard dimension of tubing. The tubing that is generally employed in the drip irrigation is about 24mm diameter.
Pressure Regulator- Types
Pressure regulator is of different types. Varied range of pressure regulators can be used for the effective control of pressure in the tubing in different parts of the drip irrigation systems. They are numerous types and differ based on the design specifications namely—
- Low flow pressure regulators
The design of low flow regulators is quite unique. Also the design can regulate pressure based on the utility. A flow rate of about 0.1 to 1GPM can be achieved with low flow pressure regulators.
- Medium flow pressure regulators
Medium flow regulators are utilized for the gardens that require the flow rate of range 2- 20 GPM to be achieved. With this type of flow pressure regulators one can limit the pressure based on the inlet pressure applied.
- High flow pressure regulators
Flow rate can be limited to about 32 GPM with this type of high flow pressure regulators. The external pressure can vary from 10 psi till 50 psi.
Permalink
September 7, 2009 at 10:48 pm · Filed under Drip irrigation, Orchard ·Tagged 16 mm, baskets, diameter, diameters, discharge rates, drip irrigation system, drip tape, Fertilizer, flow rates, flowers, globe, irrigation water, precise location, row crops, soil nutrients, soil surface, vegetables, vines, wall thickness, wall thicknesses
Drip irrigation system is a great way to conserve water and soil nutrients. In short, it is a great way to save the earth.
It is globally recognized that a drip irrigation system is the best way to water a garden or a farm, providing just enough (not too much, not less) water for flowers, vegetables, vines, baskets and other row crops.
Drip irrigation system for row crops is increasing throughout the globe. This method is basically applying irrigation water in precise location and amount, thus offering the potential of increased profit due to reduced water, fertilizer and cultural costs and increased revenue due to increased yield.
One of the main components of a drip irrigation system is drip tapes. Many drip tapes are now available to purchase in the market. You can find a range of tape diameters, wall thickness, emitter spacing and emitter flow rates.
Initially a tape with 16 mm diameter was the only one available. But now you can even find diameters ranging from 10 mm to 35 mm. The larger diameter tapes, the longer rows you can irrigate. It ranges from 400 m to 800 m in lengths.
Wall thicknesses generally range from 4 mile to 15 mile. As for emitter spacing generally ranges from 51 mm to 762 mm. It offers wider range in tape discharge rates as well.
Drip tape can be buried or installed on the soil surface. Installation equipment is now available, helping you install a drip irrigation system for row crops even more easily.
Permalink
September 7, 2009 at 10:46 pm · Filed under Drip irrigation, Fertilizers ·Tagged application system, backflow, control valve, drip irrigation system, faucet, fertilizer application, fertilizer solution, fertilizing system, liquid fertilizer, nutrients, particles, plants, precaution, synthetic fertilizers, tank, threads, Water supply
A drip irrigation system delivers an exact same amount to each root of the plants at the same time. If you add fertilizer into the water, it means you deliver an exact same amount of nutrients needed by your plants at the same time. It is called drip irrigation fertilizer application.
With drip irrigation fertilizer application, you deliver just enough fertilizer to meet your plants requirement. No more waste. How come?
Drip irrigation fertilizer application can be adjusted to a very dilute ratio of fertilizer and water up to 1:1000. It can also be stopped and restarted at any time. Thus, it will not waste any “leftover” fertilizer, creating an environmentally friendly fertilizing system.
Parts
A drip irrigation fertilizer application system consists of a tank to hold the fertilizer solution, a control valve built into the tank cap and tubing to connect it to your drip irrigation faucet. A connection with hose threads is sometimes included.
Type and Amount of Fertilizer
Any dry or liquid fertilizer can be used as long as it is water soluble and have no small particles that may clog filters or emitters. Both organic and synthetic fertilizers are suitable with this drip irrigation fertilizer application system.
Any amount of fertilizer prescribed can be used. Therefore you can use a proper amount of fertilizer, whether your farm is big or small.
Precautions
Add a valve to the faucet before attaching the drip irrigation fertilizer application system. It is to prevent the fertilizer solution backflow that your water supply is safe.
Take a special precaution too if the drip irrigation system extends to the ground higher than the faucet.
Permalink
September 7, 2009 at 10:43 pm · Filed under Drip irrigation ·Tagged coupler, drip irrigation system, drip irrigation tubing, emitters, inch tubing, misters, plants, Soil, sprinklers, tap, water flow, Water supply
Drip irrigation tubing is one of most important components of a drip irrigation system. It is responsible for delivering water to the sprinklers, emitters and misters. Without it, the water flow to plants is cut off.
There are several types of drip irrigation tubing, each with its own specific purpose. The most common types are: 1/2 inch distribution tubing, 1/4 inch distribution tubing, soaker tubing and emitter tubing. Installing the proper drip irrigation tubing for your drip irrigation system is extremely important.
1/2 inch distribution tubing is used as the main water supply. It runs from the tap to the 1/4 inch distribution tubing, soaker tubing and emitter tubing. It can be used either above or below the soil. If you are to purchase this type of drip irrigation tubing, you can choose either one of these length: 50, 100 and 500 feet.
1/4 inch distribution tubing is used to connect the 1/2 inch tubing to the sprinklers, emitters and misters. It is the supply line so you need to punch a hole in it and connect it to a 1/4 inch barbed coupler.
Soaker tubing is similar to soaker hose. You need to connect this drip irrigation tubing to the 1/2 inch supply line using the 1/4 inch barbed connector. But if you want to connect it to the 1/4 inch supply line, use the 1/4 inch barbed tee connector.
Emitter tubing is the drip irrigation tubing used for spot watering, designed specifically to put an emitter every 12 inches. Just like the soaker tubing, you need to connect it to the supply line with the 1/4 inch barbed connector.
Permalink
September 5, 2009 at 8:31 am · Filed under Drip irrigation, Pest Control ·Tagged abundance, ambient conditions, Crop rotation, crops, drip irrigation system, foliage, irrigation methods, irrigation systems, minimum wastage, nutrients, optimum intervals, organic pest control, pipes, proper maintenance, root tips, substantial improvement, wastage of water, water conservation, water plants, Water supply
Irrigation systems employed in modern day agriculture practice. Modern agriculture methods employ use of optimized way of watering. The watering methods do vary a lot based on the type of the plantation that is made. Also drip irrigation has gathered substantial improvement in last few years. Drip irrigation involves use of sophisticated pipes to water plants at regular and optimum intervals. These irrigation systems can be modified based on overall dimensions of the field. Abundance of water supply can be properly channeled using drip irrigation. To materialize the water conservation process in regular agricultural, one suggests use of drip irrigation. Amplified usage of inorganic manures can spoil the cultivable land making it useless.
Why Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation facilitates methodical way of propagating the water needs of a plant. Also one needs to ensure optimum amount of moisture to be present in ambient conditions. This has instituted use of drip irrigation system worldwide. Usage of drip irrigation also has certain advantages imbibed in it. The laying down of planned tubing can ensure direct supply of water to root tips. This ensures minimum wastage of water. Also one can gain sufficient pest control using drip irrigation. Through initial cost of drip irrigation can be high. The overall intention to provide better watering of plantation at reduced wastage can be profitable for the farmers.
Organic pest control
Implementing drip irrigation in the fields ensures proper maintenance of cultivable land. This also eliminates the presence of foliage. This in turn helps people to safeguard their plants from any kind of adverse diseases. Some pest control can be achieved through drip irrigation methods. Drip irrigation facilitates the crop rotation methods to be practiced widely. This helps the soil to maintain its nutrients for longer duration of time. This type of irrigation can be utilized to shelter plants that are beneficial for main crops that are planted. This helps the main plants to repel any kind of pest attack. Also planned watering at the root tip zone can make the leguminous organisms to ponder upon at soil level initiating better pest control.
Article Summary:
Drip irrigation provides multiple opportunities for cultivators to play with. It also institutes better organic pest control enabling healthy environment in the cultivable land. Also drip irrigation system can be employed to carryout pest elimination via planned growth of beneficial plants. Using organic manures can be fruitful for farmers quantitatively and qualitatively.
Resource Box Info: This forum discusses details regarding efficient ways of organic pest control in drip irrigation. One can also read through some pages at http://www.agricultureguide.org/ to know more about the pest control. This website also aids useful information about drip irrigation.
Permalink
Agricultural Biodiversity 