Under certain pressure, drip irrigation is a method where water is slowly and evenly dripped into the soil near the plants' roots through the irrigation network and water outlet pipes (drip belts) or drip heads in the form of drops. Currently, in most parts of China, it is being promoted and applied as one of the most water-saving drip irrigation system for farmland.
Compared with other watering techniques, there are many differences in the composition and watering methods of the drip irrigation system. In the process of operation, some application errors are also common.
The dripping speed of drip irrigation is low, and users often cannot see the process of watering. If the irrigation time is too long, deep leakage will occur; if the irrigation time is too short, the root system will be stressed again.
Understanding the irrigation system such as watering intensity, plant water demand, and soil moisture retention can help us better irrigate as needed. Remember, irrigation cycles and irrigation amounts are adjusted according to different growth stages of climate and plants, and the same irrigation system cannot always be used.
The drip heads are generally divided into two types: pressure compensation type and non-pressure compensation type. Although the pressure compensation type is more expensive, it performs better. The pressure-compensated drip head can ensure that every drop of water flows out evenly, making fertilization and irrigation uniform. Second, the local pressure-compensated drip head can remove debris that blocks the drip head, and some pressure-compensated drip heads can also reduce the possibility of clogging the drip head.
In fact, well water often contains coarse sand, fine sand, and certain chemicals, which will block the drip head. Commonly used filters include mesh screens, stacked sheets, and media filters. If there are sand particles in the water, a centrifugal filter should be used. Before installing a filter tank, analyze the physical and chemical components of the water, select a suitable filter tank according to the water quality, and select a filter with anti-clogging performance.
The combination of irrigation and fertilization is a greater advantage of drip irrigation. The growth of crop roots has the characteristics of being attracted to water and nutrients. With the increase of irrigation water, the fertilizer efficiency is higher. However, thedrip irrigation system for fertilization must have the function of preventing fertilizer backflow to prevent chemical fertilizers from polluting groundwater and other water sources.