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Subsurface Drip Irrigation

Subsurface Drip Irrigation. Jordan Gatlin SOIL 4213 April 15, 2013. What is SDI?. In subsurface drip irrigation, drip tape is buried below the soil surface Effective tool for water placement.

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Subsurface Drip Irrigation

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  1. Subsurface Drip Irrigation Jordan Gatlin SOIL 4213 April 15, 2013

  2. What is SDI? • In subsurface drip irrigation, drip tape is buried below the soil surface • Effective tool for water placement http://www.cottoninc.com/fiber/AgriculturalDisciplines/Engineering/Irrigation-Management/Irrigation-Systems-Overview/ http://home.howstuffworks.com/irrigation4.htm

  3. Components • Pump • Filtration system • Sand media or disk filter • Based on water quality, emitter requirements, and system flow rate • “Heart” of the system • Pressure gauge • Backflow preventer • Pressure regulator valves

  4. Components • Fertilizer injector • Flowmeter • Main line • Sub-mains • Flushing manifold • Lateral drip tape • Emitters

  5. Components • Computer • Used to program different irrigation schedules • Allows system to be automated • Logs volume of water moved through system

  6. Installation • Drip line is installed by tractor • Depths vary from 6—24” • Shallower in sandy soils, deeper in clayey soils • Width is typically set on a 60” row spacing • Crops such as alfalfa 40” • The wider the row spacing, the fewer the rotation options

  7. Pros • Water is used more efficiently. It is placed directly where it is needed, at the roots, and does not hit leaves on the way down from the sprinkler or evaporate • This also leads to less disease pressure, due to drier surface conditions and canopies that could inhibit spread of disease • Water can be managed at a variable rate if needed

  8. Pros • Limited weed growth and decreased weed germination because water is not on surface • Field operations can occur during irrigation • Can irrigate in conjunction with nutrient management practices, i.e. nitrogen or swine effluent application • No runoff because the water is applied below ground

  9. Cons • High initial installation cost • System can get clogged (emitters, pump, etc) • Few visual indicators of system operation • If something goes wrong, the tape may have to be excavated to diagnose and fix

  10. http://www.hpwd.com/media/photo-library

  11. Cons • Rodent tunneling may damage the tape • Equipment may damage the tape • If there is not enough pressure to drive the system, it will not operate correctly • Pressure valves and sensors may fail

  12. Cost • Anywhere between $1000 –2000 per acre • Can be installed by producer to minimize costs • EQIP—2008 Farm Bill provided funds to install SDI, and can also help with improvements • Requires NRCS to give priority to applications that demonstrate a reduction in water use by the agricultural operation • Maintenance • Can be costly, especially when major repairs occur • Sand filters have to be replaced each year

  13. Life Expectancy • Normally 12—15 years • System needs to be active for at least 10—15 years to reasonably approach economic competitiveness with full sized center pivot sprinklers that typically last 20+ years

  14. Future Applications? • One future application that SDI is being proposed for is to limit water use/increase water use efficiency in the Oklahoma Panhandle/Ogallala Aquifer area. • This area has been hit hard by drought and decline in groundwater levels. • SDI can be used to better control the use of water from this important resource.

  15. Questions?

  16. Sources • http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/26_4365.htm • http://www.hpwd.com/public/pdfs/New%20SDI%20booklet%20from%20NRCS.pdf • http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/sdi/ • http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/crops/04716.html

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