Drip irrigation is a micro-irrigation technique that provides water directly to plants’ root zones, reducing water waste due to evaporation and runoff. This approach uses a network of valves, pipes, and emitters to gently release water at a controlled rate.
major Components of drip Irrigation System
- Pump station takes water from the source and provides the right pressure for delivery into the pipe system
- Control valves control the discharge and pressure in the entire system.
- Filtration system cleans the water. Common types of filters include screen filters and graded sand filters which remove fine material suspended in the water.
- Fertilizer tank/venturi slowly add a measured dose of fertilizer into the water during irrigation. This is one of the major advantages of drip irrigation over other methods.
- Mainlines, submains and laterals supply water from the control head into the fields. They are usually made from PVC or polyethylene hose and should be buried below ground because they easily degrade when exposed to direct solar radiation. Lateral pipes are usually 13-32 mm diameter.
- Emitters or drippers are devices used to control the discharge of water from the lateral to the plants. They are usually spaced more than 1 meter apart with one or more emitters used for a single plant such as a tree. For row crops more closely, spaced emitters may be used to wet a strip of soil. Many different emitter designs have been produced in recent years. The basis of design is to produce an emitter which will provide a specified constant discharge which does not vary much with pressure changes, and does not block easily.
- By-pass assembly
- Pressure gauge
- Micro tubes