Sub-Irrigation reduces water usage between 30 and 40%.
This means that for every inch of water that is pumped, 0.95 inch or more stays in the crop root zone, where it is needed. Because of the potential high irrigation efficiency that can be obtained with SDI, it may be a good alter native for areas where irrigation water is limited.
A subsurface system is flexible and can provide frequent light irrigations. This is especially suitable for arid, semi-arid, hot, and windy areas with limited water supply, especially on sandy type soils.
Subsurface drip irrigation systems deliver low flow rates of water very uniformly. A properly designed and maintained system should last more than 20 years. A maintenance program includes cleaning the filters, flushing the lines, adding chlo- rine, and injecting acids.
Subsurface systems typically cost $2 to $5 per square foot, and additional expenses may apply for land preparation. Agricultural systems typically cost more than residential systems. Sophisticated systems for professional use can cost over $3,000 per acre.
(1) Permanent subsurface drip installation requires less yearly labor than surface drip installation and increases the life expectancy of the system; (2) Cropping with a dry soil surface has the potential to reduce the occurrence of soil borne diseases and help control weed infestation; (3) Dry soil in the furrows ...
The sub-surface poly drip lines are buried in a grid between 100mm – 150mm below the ground, where inserted emitters disperse the wastewater evenly through the irrigation network.
The Cons of Drip Irrigation
Some common challenges include: Clogged Emitters – It's common for drip emitters to become clogged from mineral/chemical deposits, or algae and bacterial buildup. Even plant roots can find their way into drip tubing.
Sub-irrigation does use more water than drip irrigation, but you end up irrigating less often. And if you are using rainwater for irrigating, you can afford to use more water and still end up with a more sustainable and resilient operation that is better for the environment and does not deplete the aquifer.
Drip irrigation systems are designed to deliver water directly to the roots of your lawn and plants. They are highly efficient, water-conserving, and low-maintenance, making them ideal for both lawns and gardens.
Unfortunately, flood or surface irrigation is the least efficient method. It's because it delivers more water than the plants need. Much of the water is lost as it evaporates into the atmosphere, while that which is excess to the plants' requirements percolates down to groundwater.
Drip irrigation is quickly gaining popularity as a low-cost and water-saving technique. At its core, it is a network of perforated tubes linked to a water source. The water flows through the tubes and trickles out of the perforations onto the soil.
The initial cost can be $1000- $2000 per acre depending on the size of the field but can last 20 years plus with proper maintenance.
Using specially designed pipes that distribute water through emitters spaced all across the drip irrigation grid, the system slowly releases water directly beneath lawns and plants.
Dig for Your Sprinkler System
The trenches will be relatively shallow, usually 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on your area's freeze cycles and frost severity. The trench must also be deep enough to allow the sprinklers to retract underground to prevent breakage from lawn machines.
Favorable conditions for the most effective operation of subirrigation are an impermeable subsoil at a depth of about 4– 6 ft, a highly permeable loam, sand, or sandy loam sur- face soil, and a relatively uniform field slope.
Drip irrigation is the most water-efficient way to irrigate many different plantings. It is an ideal way to water in clay soils because the water is applied slowly, allowing the soil to absorb the water and avoid runoff. Drip devices use a fraction of the water that overhead spray devices use.
Subirrigation applies water below the soil surface to raise the watertable into or near the plant root zone. Subirrigation is not often used in arid or semi-arid irrigated areas where irrigation is often needed to germinate crops. It is typically used in conjunction with subsurface drainage, or controlled drainage.
Increase Crop Yield
With subsurface irrigation systems, there is a noticeable increase in crop yields. This is due to the optimal supply of water, oxygen and nutrients to the root system. In fact, you can expect up to 30% more crops than when compared to other methods of irrigation.
Water Loss: Sprinkler systems can lose water through evaporation and wind drift, reducing overall efficiency. Energy Requirement: Sprinkler irrigation requires energy to pump water through the system, which can increase operational costs.
Surface irrigation systems are believed to have low efficiencies, averaging about 60 percent. This means that only 60 percent of the delivered water is stored in the top layer of the soil, where crop roots can extract it for beneficial use.