MICRO IRRIGATION

PLASTRO PLASSON INDUSTRIES INDIA LIMITED

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 MICRO IRRIGATION

What is Micro Irrigation System ?

Micro Irrigation System is characterized by frequent
supply of controlled amounts of water to a limited
portion of soil. It is also known as Low Volume
Irrigation
Water is applied

•At low rate

•Over a long period of time.
•At frequent intervals
•Directly into the plant’s root zone

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 Irrigation Goals
 Water supply to the active root zone.

 Design according to crop consumption.

 Irrigation at proper time and usage of

suitable water quantity.

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 Water distribution

With drip irrigation water is distributed from a point

source close to the plants, creating a continuous
“wet band” at a very low water application rate of 2-
8 litters per hour

60cm

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 Wetting Pattern
The number of point sources for a given area is
determined by the crop and soil type.

Clay Loam Sand 5

 Water movement in the soil
The “Onion Shape”
Capillary movement of water in the soil sideways and
downwards. Little movement downwards by gravity,
due to the low application rate of 2-8 litters per hour.

Small saturated area

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 Capillary water movement

Capillary water movement in the soil does not leach

the air trapped between the soil particles. Air
(Oxygen) at the plant root zone is essential for proper
plant development.

Air
pockets
Air filled with
pockets water

Low Volume Irrigation High Volume Irrigation 7

 Water distribution
Water is uniformly
distributed to all plants
in the field, while the
un-irrigated area
between the plant rows
remains dry.

Dry soil

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Water Supply- sprinkling

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 The roots system
Low volume irrigation High volume irrigation

60cm 1m
Developed Poor
root system root system

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 Effective roots depth

The effective root depth

is the depth in the soil
from which around 80%
of the water utilized by
Water
the plant is absorbed.
deficit
In most crops the
effective root depth is 30% 0
0-60cm. 26% 30
18% 60
13% 90
8%
120
5% 150
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 Low volume irrigation
 Crop water requirements are matched by
applying small quantities of water with
short intervals between irrigation
(“Spoon-feeding the plants”).

 Irrigation intervals range from several

applications per day (when plants are
grown in an artificial plant medium) to
once a week.

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 Low volume irrigation

Methods of Irrigation Commonly in Use: Jet+

Drip irrigation Mini Sprinklers

O-tif Supertif

Rondo Tornado 13
Irrigation: Inline Drippers

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 High volume irrigation

Crop water requirements are matched by applying

large quantities of water with long intervals between
applications.
Irrigation intervals are 10-14 days between
applications.

Method of irrigation commonly in Use:

Sprinklers
Irrigation machines
Flood and furrow irrigation
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 Terms
Field Capacity (FC)
The amount of water retained (in the soil) after
drainage of a nearly saturated soil.
Permanent Wilting Point (P.W.P.)
The stage at which the water is held to the soil
particles at a tension that the plant roots cannot
remove it at a sufficient rate to prevent the leaves
from wilting. P.W.P. is harmful to the plants and will
damage crop yield and quality.
Total Available Water (T.A.W.)
The water accumulated in the soil between the Field
Capacity point and the Permanent Wilting point.
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 Terms

Critical Point
As the amount of water left in the soil decreases, it
becomes harder for plants to draw it. The level which
below the Total Available Water should not drop is
known as the Critical Point. This point is determined
by soil and crop type.
Readily Available Water (R.A.W.)
The water accumulated between the Field Capacity
point and the Critical point. The common rate of
R.A.W. is 50% of theTotal Available Water.

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 Plant field capacity
Field capacity Wilting Point

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 Irrigation frequency
With drip irrigation, the soil moisture level is close to Field Capacity. This
enables easy water uptake by the plants and avoidance of the
Wilting Point that causes damage to the plants.
These desired results could be easily achieved in the most cost-effective
way when utilizing drip irrigation. Saturation
%of point
water
Field capacity

Low volume irrigation

High volume irrigation Critical point

Wilting point
days
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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
 Fertigation
Application of Fertilizers through the Drip Irrigation System
Drip irrigation is the most effective method to supply the plant with
nutrients. The rapid absorption of nutrients through the roots becomes
possible as a result of dense feeder root system and proper soil aeration.

N – Nitrogen
K – Potassium
P – Phosphorus
+ – Micro elements 21
 Agro-technical advantage of drip irrigation
 Enables cultivation at any time
 Less labor
 Less weeds
 Crop leaves remain dry = less diseases, less
pests, no washing of chemicals

The Result
=
Saving Money
Dry soil

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 Water usage with drip irrigation

Reduced loss of water by evaporation from soil surface.

No wind influence over water distribution.
Low flow rates prevent run-off even in difficult
topographic conditions.
More uniform water distribution.
No peripheral water loss (edge of field).
Less weeds competing to water and nutrients.
90-95% of water applied is used by the plants.
Higher crop yields for the same (and even less) amount of
water given by any other irrigation method.
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 Benefits of drip irrigation
 More efficient water usage
 More efficient fertilizers usage
SAVING
 Less pumping costs MONEY
 Less chemical usage
 Less labor required

• Significantly higher
yields
INCREASED
INCOME
• Better crop quality
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 MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM

System Components

Head PVC Network Emitting System

Filtration Unit PVC Pipes LLDPE Laterals

Fertigation Unit Fittings & Accessories Emitters
Valves Drip Accessories
Valves

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LAYOUT OF MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEM

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DESIGN OF DRIP
IRRIGATION
SYSTEM

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 MIS DESIGN PRIME OBJECTIVES

To maintain optimum moisture level in soil for optimization

of crop yield.
To design a suitable system which will last and perform well.
To design a manageable system which can be easily operated
and maintained.
To satisfy and fulfill the requirements of crops and farmers
or users.

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 DESIGN INPUTS /SURVEY REPORT
Engineering Survey : Measurement of field, ground slope
Water Source : Assessment of water source and availability
of water
Pumping Data : Type of pump & its output

Agricultural Details : Crop, Spacing, type, variety, age, water

requirement, Crop Physiology

Climatological Data :Temperature, humidity, rainfall,

evaporation etc
Soil & Water analysis: Collection of soil & water samples and
analyzing

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 BASED ON CROP AND SPACING
FOR WIDE SPACING LIKE HORTICULTURE
CROPS- ONLINE DRIP SYSTEM (DRIPPERS)
A) FOR CLOSE SPACING LIKE VEGETABLE
CROPS – INLINE DRIP SYSTEM (HYDROGOL)

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 BASED ON WATER SOURCE DETAILS
SELECTION OF FILTERS
A) Determining the filtration degree according to the method of
irrigation and nature of the water distributing device.
B) Adapting appropriate filter size to suit the flow rate in the field.
C) Determining the method of filtration according to the quality of
water.

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PEAK WATER REQUIREMENT (PWR)

A) PAN EVAPORATION (MM)

B) PAN FACTOR (0.8)

C) CROP FACTOR(0.4 TO 0.7)

(D) CROP SPACING (MTR.)

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FOR WIDE SPACED CROP:

WR/DAY PLANT = A X B X C X D IN
LITRES

FOR CLOSED SPACED CROPS:

WR/DAY/SQ.MTR = A X B X C IN LTRS.

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 TOTAL WATER REQUIREMENT

FOR ONLINE

W.R = NO.OF PLANTS X NO OF DRIPPERS X DRIPPER

DISCHARGE

FOR INLINE

W.R = AREA X DRIPPER DISCHARGE

------------------------------------------------------
. LATERAL SPACING X DRIPPER SPACING

NO OF SECTIONS = WATER REQUIREMENT

----------------------------------
WATER AVAILABILITY 34
 IRRIGATION TIME(IT)

*FOR WIDE SPACED CROP:

IT = PEAK WATER REQMT.

(LIT./DAY/PLANT) /
NO. OF DRIPPERS PER PLANT X
DISCHARGE OF DRIPPERS (LIT./HR)

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FOR CLOSED SPACED CROP:

IT=PEAK WATER REQUIREMENT PER

UNIT AREA (MM/DAY)/ APPLICATION
RATE (AP)(MM/HR)

AP= GROSS DISCHARGE IN LPH/

GROSS AREA (SQ.MTR.)

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 STEPS FOR MIS DESIGN

System Capacity
Selection of Emitting Devices or Drippers or
Tubings.
Selection and Design of Laterals or tubes.
Selection and Design of Sub mains.
Selection and Design of Mainlines
Selection and Design of Filtration System.
Selection and Design of pump unit.

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 Selection of Emitting Devices or Drippers or Tubing

The available sizes are 2, 4, 8,16 lph

An ideal or perfect emitting devices or drippers

Should be inexpensive, durable and serviceable.
Should have relatively low discharge rate to keep the
system cost low.
Should have higher emission uniformity.
Should not create runoff within the immediate
application area.

Emitters
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 RECOMMENDED MI SYSTEM BASED ON CROP
DRIPPER
SPACING IRRIGATION LATERAL DRIPPER DRIPPERS DISCHARGE
S.NO CROP (MXM) SYSTEM SPACING SPACING / PLANT (LPH)

1 MANGO 10X10 ONLINE 10 4 8

2 SWEET ORANGE 6X6 ONLINE 6 4 8

3 VEGETA BLES 0.6X0.45 INLINE 1.2 0.4 2

4 PAPAYA 1.5X1.5 INLINE 1.5 0.4 39

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 SELECTION OF LATERAL
12MM AND 16MM LATERAL
DETERMINE THE LENGTH OF LATERAL DEPENDING ON
THE FIELD SIZE AND CAPACITY OF LATERAL TO CARRY
DISCHARGE
ALLOWABLE HEAD LOSS IN LATERAL + SUBMAIN
SHOULD BE LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO 2M BASED ON
GRAPH OF HEAD AND FLOW VELOCITY AND FLOW RATE
MAXIMUM LENGTH AND SIZE OF LATERAL IS
DETERMINED
.

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SELECTION OF SUBMAIN
AFTER SELECTION OF LATERAL AND CALCULATING
HEAD LOSS THROUGH GRAPH AND BASED ON
ALLOWABLE HEADLOSS REMAIN FOR SUBMAIN
SUBMAIN SIZE IS DETERMINED USING GRAPH

.SELECTION OF MAIN
MAIN SIZE IS DETERMINED BASED ON THE FLOW
AVAILABLE PER SECTION AND HEAD LOSS IS
CALCULATED USING GRAPH WHICH IS PREPARED
BASED ON HAZEN WILLIAMS EMPERICAL FORMULA
WITH A PERMISSIBLE VELOCITY OF 1.5M/SEC.

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Control Measures
Provide air release cum Vacuum breaker valves / Non Return/Check
Valves, pressure relief Valves, Pressure Regulating & Sustaining
Valves at appropriate locations

Flow in Main line = Flow in all sub mains which are connected
to main line.

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Selection & Design of Filtration Unit:

A properly designed Filtration system is the key to long term

successful operation of MIS.
The selection and design of Filtration system is based on:

Source of water
Type, size and concentration of physical impurities.
Designed system flow (filtration capacity).
Type of irrigation system.
Workability of filtration system.
Ease for handling, cleaning, maintenance and repairing.
Filtration media and low frictional losses.
Economical investment, maintenance and power cost.
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Selection and Design of Pump
Pump unit can be selected and designed by calculating total head
and discharge required for operating of system.

Total Head required for the system is :

(Suction + Delivery) + Filtration losses + Frictional losses in
Mainline + operating pressure + Fitting losses + Ventury Head +
Elevation

With the Total Head and Discharge required,

H. P. = Q X H / 75 x a x b

Q = Discharge required in LPS.

H = Total Head required in meter.
a = Efficiency of the motor. (assumed 85%).
b = Efficiency of the Pump. (assumed 80%). 44
TROUBLE SHOOTING

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 Maintenance of drip Irrigation System

1. General maintenance:
 Check pressure gauge while running the system
 Check functioning of dripper, wetting pattern,
leakage of pipes, valves, fittings etc.
 Check the placement of drippers
 Check leakage through filter gasket in the lids,
flushing valves etc.
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2. Filter cleaning:
 Sand filter  1. Back wash method
2. Manual method
Screen filter

3. Sub main and lateral flushing

4. Chemical treatment:
i. Acid treatment
ii. Chlorine treatment 47
 FILTER CLEANING

Cleaning of Sand/Gravel Filter

Back-wash method
Manual method

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BACK – WASH METHOD

In Back- wash method, first open the

back wash valve, close the inflow and
out flow valve and open the by-pass
valve.
Then the water flows in reverse
direction and whatever suspended
particle and algae in top of the sand
filter will flush out through backwash
valve. After few minutes of operation
when clean water coming through
backwash valve, open the inlet valve and
close the by-pass valve and there by
open the out flow valve and close the
back-wash valve.
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Manual Method

In manual method, open the

cap of the sand filters before
starting the system and
remove all dust, algae and
other dirty particles manually
and close the cap.

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 Cleaning of Screen Filter

The water from sand filter flows through screen filter.

In the screen filter small sand particles and dust layers
are settled down out side the Filter element.
To remove these particles open, the screen filter cap,
remove the filter element and clean the in side filter
and filter element with water. In second method, open
the screen filter flush valve for few minutes and close
the valve when clean water is observed.

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Cleaning of sub mains & Laterals

To clean the sub mains, open the sub

main Flush valves and close the valves
when the clean water is coming out.
To clean the lateral lines, open the end
caps of all lateral lines and flush out
the lines until unless clean water is
passed out and then close all end caps
of lateral lines.

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Cleaning of Drippers

If the water is not dropping through drippers, open

the dripper and clean the inside diaphragm. If the
diaphragm is damaged replace with new one.

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 CHEMICAL TREATMENT

In chemical method, the complete system will be

cleaned with acid treatment.
In this treatment hydrochloric acid or
chlorine(Bleaching powder ) is sent in to the filter
with the help of Ventury assembly. With this method
the complete system is cleaned and flushed.

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 Procedure of Acid Treatment

Take 1litre of Water from source in the field and add acid drop by drop to PH comes 4
which will be determined with the help of PH Paper. Then the quantity of acid required per
1litre of water will be arrived.
Then the injection rate (litres/hour) will be calculated as follows.
3.6 X System Discharge(LPH) X Quantity of Acid
required to bringPH 4, Lit.
Acid injection rate = ------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Lit/Hr) Quantity of water used to bring solution PH 4 (1Lit.)

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