Drip Irrigation Guide:
Drip irrigation is a form of irrigation that saves water and makes use of
manure / fertilizer efficiently by allowing water to draw slowly to the roots
of plants / trees, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root area
of plant. The drip irrigation works through a network of valves, pipes, tubing,
and emitters. It is done through narrow tubes that deliver water directly to
the base of the plant / tree. Drip irrigation system may also use devices
called "micro-spray heads”. This device sprays water in a small area of
field instead of dripping the water from emitters. Generally, this type of
spray heads is used on tree and vine crops with wider root zones.
In case of little
water availably or recycled water utilization, sub-surface drip irrigation
(SDI) uses permanently or temporarily buried dripper line or drip tape located
at or below the plant roots. In order to find out suitable drip irrigation
system to be installed, One should consider factors like land topography, soil,
water, crop and agro-climatic conditions. Drip system can be used in most of
the farming methods like commercial greenhouse farming, residential gardens,
polyhouse farming, shade net farming, hydroponics and open field farming. Drip
irrigation will be more beneficial when compared to sprinkler irrigation
system. Drip and subsurface drip irrigation is used when using waste water.
Generally, large drip irrigation system consists of some kind of filters to
prevent clogging of the small emitter flow path by small water borne particles.
Now days, once can get drip systems which minimize the clogging. Read more here.