Subsurface drip irrigation is a low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system that uses buried drip tubes or drip tape to meet crop water needs. Subsurface irrigation saves water and improves yields by eliminating surface water evaporation and reducing the incidence of weeds and disease.
Natural Subsurface Irrigation:- When underground irrigation is simply achieved naturally without any additional effort, it is called natural subsurface irrigation. Example- water from ground water table which can be easily extracted by the root zone of the crops.
The difference between sub-irrigation and surface irrigation is that in the case of sub-irrigation the water moves up to the plant root zone. Versus surface irrigation, the water moves down to the plant root zone.
Crops are irrigated by several methods: flooding an entire field, channeling water between rows of plants, spraying water through large sprinklers, or letting water drop onto plants through holes in pipes.
Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) applies water directly to the crop root zone using buried polyethy lene tubing, also known as a dripline, dripperline, or drip tape (Figure 1). Driplines come in varying diam eters and thicknesses in order to maintain acceptable irrigation uniformity for different field lengths.
1 Definition. Surface irrigation has evolved into an extensive array of configurations which can be broadly classified as: (1) basin irrigation; (2) border irrigation; (3) furrow irrigation; and (4) uncontrolled flooding.
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.
Subsurface Irrigation
This type of irrigation involves pipes that are buried beneath the surface of the land and underneath the crops. Artificial subsurface irrigation comes from the pipes that are buried underground. There are small openings in these pipes, allowing water to flow out and irrigate the crops.
The main sources for irrigation water are groundwater from wells, surface water, drainage ponds, rain and municipal water. Drilled wells are a clean source of water for many greenhouse operations however, the water yield from drilled wells is usually limited.
Netafim India's subsurface irrigation system involves the use of driplines that are placed at a depth of 10-20 cm below the soil surface. These driplines deliver water directly to the root zone of the crop, where it is required the most, ensuring optimum water use efficiency.
Modern Methods of Irrigation
The modern method involves two systems: Sprinkler system. Drip system.
Groundwater forms the reserve of sub-surface water lying beneath the surface at depth in permeable rocks called aquifers. Groundwater is the most important water resource on earth (Villeneuve et al., 1990). It is a dynamic and replenishable natural resource.
(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 ...
There are 4 main types of subsurface drainage systems: corrugated and PVC slotted subsurface pipes. mole drainage (including mole drains, mole drains over collector pipe systems and gravel mole drains) interceptor drains.
There are two types of subsurface irrigation – Natural subsurface irrigation and Artificial subsurface irrigation.
Surface irrigation methods (A) basin irrigation, (B) border irrigation, and (C) furrow irrigation.
irrigation, in agriculture. the artificial application of water to land.
Drip Irrigation.
They are sometimes placed under a plastic sheet, which further conserves water and will help control weeds. Micro spray and bubblers are usually operated a small distance above the ground level. These systems are ideal for many vegetable and flower crops as well as orchards and vineyards.
Unlike other forms of irrigation, such as sprinklers that are only 65-75% efficient, drip irrigation 90% efficient at allowing plants to use the water applied. And, it reduces runoff and evaporation. Drip irrigation applies the water slowly at the plant root zone where it is needed most.
Drip irrigation is a specific type of micro irrigation system. It is the most efficient water and nutrient delivery system for growing crops.
The burial is generally 10 – 30 cm (4 – 12”) with thicker drip line/tape (minimum 12 mil and up to 45 mil) used to ensure that the product will properly function for many years.
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.