Pressurized irrigation systems

Drip irrigation System

Drip or trickle irrigation is one of the latest methods of irrigation. It is suitable for water scarcity and salt affected soils. Water is applied in the root zone of the crop. Standard water quality test needed for design and operation of drip irrigation system.

Components of Drip System:

1. A drip irrigation system consists of a pump or overhead tank, main line, sub-mains, laterals and emitters.
2. The mainline delivers water to the sub-mains and the sub-mains into the laterals.
3. The emitters which are attached to the laterals distribute water for irrigation.
4. The mains, sub-mains are usually made of PVC (poly vinyl chloride) pipes and and laterals of LLDPE tubes. The emitters are also made of PVC material
5. The other components include pressure regulator, filters, valves, water meter, fertilizer application devices etc.

Sprinkler irrigation system

Sprinkler irrigation is application simulating rainfall overhead so overhead sprinklers. The sprinkler (overhead or pressure) irrigation system conveys water to the field through pipes (aluminum or PVC) under pressure with a system of nozzles. This system is designed to distribute the required depth of water uniformly, which is not possible in surface irrigation. Water is applied at a rate less than the infiltration rate of the soil hence the runoff from irrigation is avoided.


Irrigation methods