Category Useful Content

Applicability

Generally, drip irrigation is the most appropriate irrigation method; it is especially good for arid and drought prone areas. Drip and subsurface drip irrigation is used almost exclusively when using recycled municipal wastewater. Regulations typically do not permit spraying water through the air that has not been fully treated to potable water standards. Furthermore, this system can be very technical for industrial crop production but also a simple small-scale irrigation method, which farmers can construct by themselves.

Advantages

High water application efficiency and lower labor costs
Minimized fertilizer/nutrient loss due to localized application and reduced leaching
Ability to irrigate irregular shaped fields. Levelling of the field is not necessary
Allows safe use of recycled (waste-) water
Moisture within the root zone can be maintained at field capacity and minimized soil erosion
Soil type plays less important role in frequency of irrigation
Highly uniform distribution of water i.e., controlled by output of each nozzle
Usually operated at lower pressure than other types of pressurized irrigation, reducing energy costs
Disadvantages

Expensive initial cost can be more than overhead systems (commercial system)
The sun can affect the tubes used for drip irrigation, shortening their usable life
If the water is not properly filtered and the equipment not properly maintained, it can result in clogging
Drip irrigation might be unsatisfactory if herbicides or top dressed fertilizers need sprinkler irrigation for activation
Waste of water, time & harvest, if not installed properly
Systems require careful study of all the relevant factors like land topography, soil, water, crop and agro-climatic conditions, and suitability of drip irrigation system and its components
Without sufficient leaching (most drip systems are designed for high efficiency, meaning little or no leaching fraction), salts applied with the irrigation water may build up in the root zone.

Source: https://www.geo.fu-berlin.de/en/v/iwrm/Implementation/technical_measures/Irrigation-systems/drip_irrigation/applicability_advantages_disadvantages/index.html

Drip Irrigation is the most efficient water and nutrient delivery system for growing crops. It delivers water and nutrients directly to the plant’s root zone, in the right amounts, at the right time, so each plant gets exactly what it needs, when it needs it, to grow optimally. It enables farmers to produce higher yields while saving on water as well as fertilizers, energy.

How does it work?
Water and nutrients are delivered across the field in pipes called ‘dripelines’ featuring small units known as ‘drippers’. Each dripper emits drops containing water and fertilizer, resulting in the uniform application of water and nutrients direct to each plant’s root zone, across an entire field.

Why do farmers prefer it?
Drip irrigation not only delivers greater ROI compared to other irrigation methods, it also gives farmers an efficient and simple way to operate their farms.

With drip irrigation, farmers are guaranteed:

Higher consistent quality yields
Huge water savings: no evaporation, no run off, no waste
100% land utilization – drip irrigates uniformly in any topography and soil type
Energy saving: it works on low water pressure
Efficient use of fertilizer and crop protection, with no leaching
Less dependency on weather, greater stability and lower risks

Why is it better for plants?
Crops need a consistent and balanced supply of water in order to grow. Drip irrigation applies water and nutrients frequently and in small doses, ensuring optimal growing conditions that help produce the highest yields possible.

Here’s why plants are more productive with drip irrigation:

High availability of water and nutrients
Doses of water and nutrients tailored to plant’s development needs
No saturation and good soil aeration
Avoids high salinity caused by excessive fertilizer application
No wetting of foliage that can result in fungal diseases

Source: https://www.netafim.com/en/drip-irrigation/

1. Don’t Over-Water Your Plants
Many people who install their own drip irrigation system feel that they haven’t done a good enough job because they don’t see any pooling of water at the base of their plants and trees. They’re used to seeing these pools when they water by hand. However, one of the advantages of drip irrigation is that you don’t need as much water to get to the root system. Actually, if you see a pool of water you’ve used too much. You should only see about a three-inch spot of water at the dripper.

2. Don’t Apply Too Much Water Pressure
Typically, a drip irrigation system only needs about 25 pounds per square inch, or psi. If you use too much, the drippers may squirt instead of drip and the fittings may pop off.

3. Make Sure You Know the Watering Needs of Your Plants and Trees
Different plants have different watering needs, so you should do a little homework when planning your drip irrigation system. You may need to have one dripper that provides more water than another within the same system, or use extra drippers for some plants and fewer for others.

Source: https://www.sprinklerdrainage.com/blog/3-common-drip-irrigation-mistakes/