Statistical Uniformity Coefficient Research Articles

Performance Evaluation Of Drip Irrigation System Under Onion Crop In Semi-Arid Region Of Eastern Rwanda

Efficient irrigation systems are needed not only to reduce environmental hazard but also to promote sustainable utilization of water resources. Drip irrigation is common irrigation systems that can save water and increase crop production by transferring small amounts of water frequently to the periphery of the roots of plants. So far, to establish a better irrigation system, it is necessary to improve onion growth, and yield. The present study was carried out to evaluate drip irrigation in 8 hectares for growing different crop particular onion vegetable at The Fresh Gate East Africa farm located in Rwamagana district, of Eastern province of Rwanda. A research study was conducted from January to May, 2020. The meteorological data were collected and analysed. Soil physical properties like soil texture, bulk density and infiltration rate were determined. The observations on water application through drippers and performance indicators were assessed. The results revealed that the rainfall in the study area is not sufficient in all decades of the months taken for crop period so irrigation is inevitable. The soil of the area is sandy loam and suitable for crop production. The performance indicators like Distribution efficiency (Ed), application efficiency (Ea), field emission uniformity (EUf), Absolute emission uniformity (EUa) and design emission uniformity (EUd) with the corresponding values of 91.66, 88.23%, 91.20%, 89.25% and 78.60% respectively were fitting in the standards of good to excellent performance. The value of coefficient of variance (Cv) with 0.085 falls in the category of marginal While statistical uniformity coefficient (SUC) with 91.5% presents good to perfect drip system. We conclude that drip irrigation has increased more 100% of onion production with the harvest of 12 Tons/Ha at FGEA Farm. It is therefore recommended that drip system is highly efficient irrigation system for Rwandan conditions and can easily be promoted through farmer’s sensitization and government support.

Effect and Mechanism of Micro-Nano Aeration Treatment on a Drip Irrigation Emitter Based on Groundwater

The problem of emitter clogging has become the main obstacle restricting the application and promotion of drip irrigation technology. Studying the process of emitter clogging helps improve irrigation efficiency and save water resources. A large number of researchers have tried to solve the problem of emitter clogging from many perspectives. However, the influence of micro-nano bubbles as well as generated blockage on the clogging process of drip irrigation systems is less studied. Here, the influence of aeration on emitter clogging was studied by adding micro-nano bubbles to groundwater. Four different emitters were selected. Two treatments, micro-nano aeration and non-aeration, were set up, with a total of eight sets of experiments, running for 1500 h. The degree of emitter clogging was quantitatively characterized using the discharge ratio variation (Dra). The Christiansen uniformity coefficient (Cu) and statistical uniformity coefficient (Us) were used to evaluate the influence of emitter clogging on the performance of the drip irrigation system. Compared with the non-aeration treatment group, the Dra of aerated E1–E4 decreased by 64.74%, 54.22%, 64.20%, and 94.69% in 800 h, respectively. At the same time, the Us of the aerated E1–E4 decreased by 100%, 60.05%, 92.32%, and 100%, while the Cu of aerated E1–E4 decreased by 76.64%, 53.79%, 74.11%, and 100% compared with the unaerated group. The Cu and Us of all emitters under the aeration treatment were smaller than those comparison group. As for the blockage, the main components were typical physical blockage SiO2 and chemical blockage CaCO3. Most of the blockages in the non-aeration treatment group are 5–10 μm in length, while those in the aerated treatment group were generally less than 5 μm. Aeration treatment made the blockage more broken and dense and more likely to accumulate in the flow channel, obstructing the flow of water and thus intensifying the clogging process. As a result, micro-nano aeration treatment increased the risk of emitter clogging, accelerated the development of blockage in the emitter, and disturbed the uniformity of the entire drip irrigation system. This study provides a reference idea for solving the problem of blockage in drip irrigation systems.

Design and Development of Smart Irrigation System for Watering Rooftop Garden

Rooftop gardening is one of the famous agricultural technology in urban areas of many countries including Bangladesh. Crop water requirement is very high in rooftop due to high temperature and high evapotranspiration. Irrigation as well as water management is the major limitation for this practice. Considering the necessity of rooftop gardening in urban areas and irrigation issue, it is essential to develop a low cost efficient irrigation method that helps to improve production techniques for rooftop garden. From this study, we developed a smart irrigation system for watering rooftop gardening where mainly used programmable digital timer, solenoid valve and electric pump operated drip system. In this irrigation system, programmable digital timer sends a signal to the solenoid valve and electric pump that leads to open or close the whole irrigation system and crop was watered the selected interval and frequency wise. From the results, average discharge (Qavg), distribution efficiency (Ed), application efficiency (Ea), coefficient of variation for emitter flow (cv) and statistical uniformity coefficient (SUC) were achieved good performance and was found meeting American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE) standards. The designed smart irrigation system was operated excellently as the values of emission uniformity.

EFFICIENCY AND UNIFORMITY OF AN SUBSURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM IN SUGARCANE CROP

Agricultural productivity in irrigated areas depends on several factors, including the design and maintenance of irrigation systems. Excessive or insufficient applications of water affect plant growth and development, hence agricultural productivity. For this reason, the evaluation of the irrigation system is essential to avoid water loss during application. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and uniformity of a subsurface drip irrigation system in sugarcane crops in an area of the company Usina Coruripe, Alagoas, Brazil. For data collection, the flow rates were obtained in four points along the lateral line, in the first dripper, in the drippers located at 1/3 and 2/3 of the lateral line length, and in the last dripper of each operational unit of the irrigation project. In each row, four emitters were evaluated, totalizing 16 emitters, using a chronometer, collectors, and a measuring cylinder for data collection. In these emitters, the volume of water was collected for 3 minutes, with three repetitions. Christiansen's uniformity coefficient, distribution uniformity coefficient, statistical uniformity coefficient, Hart's uniformity coefficient, and application efficiency were estimated. The irrigation system was considered excellent for distribution uniformity. The application efficiency was classified as acceptable, with an average value of 88.9%. However, despite the application efficiency being classified as acceptable, periodic evaluations of the system are recommended.

Uniformity of water distribution by a sprinkler irrigation system on a soccer field

Soccer field grass can be compared to highly sensitive crops regarding water deficit and must be irrigated throughout the year to provide decent conditions for use. For this, efficient irrigation systems are necessary to save water and energy, and this is possible, provided that they are evaluated. Therefore, this paper evaluated the water distribution uniformity, by different methodologies, for an irrigation system installed in a grass soccer field. Also, the influences of multiple spacings between sprinklers and meteorological factors on the final results were assessed. The irrigation system had Falcon 6504 sprinklers, operating at the pressure of 320 kPa. Six field essays were conducted considering overlaying water depths originated from the same irrigation system considering spacings between sprinklers varying from 6 m x 6 m, 6 m x 9 m, 9 m x 9 m, 9 m x 12 m, 12 m x 12 m, 12 m x 15 m, 15 m x 15 m, 15 m x 18 m, 18 m x 18 m, 18 m x 21 m, 21 m x 21 m, 21 m x 24 m, 24 m x 24 m, 24 m x 27 m, 27 m x 27 m, 27 m x 30 m and 30 m x 30 m. The uniformity coefficients used were: Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CU), distribution uniformity coefficient (DU), absolute uniformity coefficient (UA), statistical uniformity coefficient (US), Hart uniformity coefficient (UH) and HSPA standard efficiency (UHSPA). Meteorological data were obtained during the essays. Wind speed caused reduction in the length of the water jet applied by the sprinkler and also caused a bigger effect on the water distribution uniformity. Both CU and UH showed higher values compared to the other coefficients. The increase in the spacing between the sprinklers resulted in reduced water distribution coefficients. To comply with technical and economic criteria, an arrangement of 12 m x 15 m between the Falcon 6504 sprinklers, operating at a 320 kPa pressure, is recommended.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF EMITTERS AND IRRIGATION INTERVALS ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SQUASH UNDER THE NILE DELTA CONDITIONS

Drip considered as one of modern systems which used to reduce water losses and increase water use efficiency. The present work was conducted in the experimental farm of faculty of agriculture, Tanta University, during summer 2019. The work amid to study the response of squash to three different intervals irrigation day after day; every three and every five days using D5000, PCND and PC2 emitters. The coefficient of variation C.V, emission uniformity statistical uniformity coefficient and Christiansen uniformity were calculated for all tested emitters. The results revealed that a significant effect of the intervals on the flow rate of all emitters under study. D5000 showed the highest C.V followed by PCND type. The largest C.V was shown in D5000 under every 5 while the lowest one was presented in PC2 under day after day. EU, CU and Us values for the tested emitters were larger than 90%. PC2 had the highest EU, CU and Us followed by PCND. Emission uniformity, CU and Us negatively associated with intervals. Squash plants under PC2 emitter gave the highest fruit yield and fruit quality. The results revealed that a significant decrease in fruit yield and most related traits with the increase of intervals. Irrigated squash plants every three resulted in high significant increase in fruit yield and fruit quality. Irrigated squash plants every three using PC2 was recommended to increase the yield under the Nile Delta conditions

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UM SIMULADOR DE CHUVA PENDULAR PORTÁTIL

Water erosion in agricultural production systems in Brazil is the main factor capable of making these systems unsustainable, as its environmental impacts are reflected in increase in production costs. The aim of this work was to build and evaluate a portable rainfall simulator, easy to handle and low cost for erosion evaluation. The rainfall simulator was built using the operating principles of simulator described by Souza (2004); however, a new angular movement transmission model for the linear movement of the sprinkler nozzle was developed. VeeJet 80.150 sprinkler nozzle was used, which oscillated 60 cycles per minute over the plot. Evaluation was carried out through the uniformity of the equipment's precipitation inside the plot, collecting the simulated rainfall in rain gauges distributed in the plot for a period of 2 minutes. Statistical Uniformity Coefficients obtained in rainfall simulator tests were considered adequate and indicate that there is good uniformity of droplet distribution. Data obtained from the evaluation allowed concluding that the simulator meets the basic requirements to serve as a tool for scientific research related to water erosion. Thus, the developed rainfall simulator meets the technical requirements established in literature and can be used in various works in agricultural and environmental sciences.

Avaliação do desempenho de sistema de irrigação por gotejamento em cultivo de maracujá

A constante avaliação do desempenho dos sistemas de irrigação torna-se necessária para verificar se as condições previstas no projeto condizem com o observado em campo. Desta forma, objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho de sistemas de irrigação localizada visando a indicar as medidas de uniformidade. O trabalho foi conduzido na Fazenda Areião, área experimental da ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba/SP, cultivada com maracujá. A avaliação baseou-se nos seguintes coeficientes de desempenho: coeficiente de uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC), coeficiente de uniformidade de distribuição (CUD), coeficiente de uniformidade estatístico (CUE) e eficiência de aplicação (Ea) dos dados de distribuição de volume de água obtidos de teste realizado em campo. No presente trabalho os resultados mostraram que CUC (89,86%), CUD (90,37%) e CUE (99,88%) estão dentro dos padrões de classificação de desempenho dos emissores e eficiência média de aplicação foi de 83,03%, indicando que a avaliação de desempenho do sistema de irrigação por gotejamento, encontra-se em perfeitas condições de operação.

Effect of a friction-reducing additive on the drip irrigation uniformity with sugarcane vinasse

Fertigation using vinasse, a high nutrient residue, is a viable form of complementary soil nutrition. However, it represents a dangerous risk of contamination if not properly disposed of. The objective of this study was to evaluate the irrigation and fertigation uniformity using vinasse in a drip irrigation system with and without the addition of polyacrylamide (friction-reducing polymer) applied at a concentration of 0.01 kg m-3 (10 mg L´-1). The tests consisted of collecting flow from 16 drippers in the system. Four were selected from each of the four lateral lines (first emitter, those located at 1/3 and 2/3 of the length, and the last one). Uniformity was obtained by the coefficient of distribution uniformity (CDU), Christiansen’s uniformity coefficient (CUC), the total coefficient of variation (CVt), and the statistical uniformity coefficient (SUC). The CUC values after the addition of the polymer were 2.33% and 2.1% higher for water and vinasse, respectively. For the CDU, the addition of the polymer resulted in values of 6.07% and 5.3% higher for water and vinasse, respectively, and the SUC resulted in values of 3.99% and 3.83% for water and vinasse, respectively. We concluded that vinasse showed a lower average uniformity compared to water. However, when the friction-reducing agent was added, an increase was observed in the average uniformity in the drip irrigation system.

Performance of Drip Irrigation at Werer, Middle Awash, Ethiopia

Agriculture is the main contributor of the Ethiopian economy as it accounts for about 55% of the GDP, 60% of the foreign exchange earnings and provides livelihood to 85% of the population. The field experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of drip irrigation systems werer agricultural research station, middle awash, Ethiopia. Middle awash is largest irrigated part of the country. It is well gifted with the land, sunshine and highly fortune in available water resources. Drip irrigation has greater water economy over other systems in arid and semi-arid regions characterized by high evaporation rates and it has the potential to increase yields of crops even with reduced irrigation water application. The performance of drip irrigation system was evaluated on the basis of parameters like emitter flow variation (q_var), distribution uniformity (DU), application uniformity (Ea), coefficient of variation (CV), statistical uniformity (SU) and Christiansen uniformity coefficient (UCC). High values of uniformity coefficient and uniformity of distribution are attributed to the effect land levelling. The hydraulic performance of drip irrigation result shows the emitter flow variation (0.07%), emission uniformity (92.2%), coefficient of variation (0.07%), Christiansen uniformity coefficient (90.8) and application efficiency of (85%).

EFICIÊNCIA DE IRRIGAÇÃO EM LAVOURAS DE CAFEEIROS CONILON NA REGIÃO CENTRO SERRANA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO

O café representa a principal fonte de renda dos produtores rurais de São Roque do Canaã, porém o município apresenta restrição hídrica ao cafeeiro devido à baixa e irregular distribuição de chuvas. Fato que implica na adoção de sistemas de irrigação para suprir as exigências hídricas do cafeeiro, onde é utilizado principalmente do tipo localizada por gotejamento. Porém, identifica-se a ausência de limpeza, manutenção e avaliações nestes sistemas de irrigação, o que reduz a eficiência e uniformidade de aplicação de água. Diante do exposto, objetivou-se com a realização deste trabalho, avaliar o desempenho de sistemas de irrigação localizada por gotejamento no município de São Roque do Canaã, visando determinação da uniformidade e eficiência de aplicação de água. Foram avaliados sistemas de irrigação em dez propriedades no município. Com base nos resultados obtidos, foram determinados e classificados o Coeficiente de Uniformidade de Christiansen (CUC), o Coeficiente de Uniformidade de Distribuição (CUD), Coeficiente de Uniformidade Estatística (Us) e Eficiência de aplicação (Ea). Os sistemas de irrigação localizada por gotejamento apresentaram baixa uniformidade de aplicação de água, sendo necessário que algumas práticas de manutenção preventiva e corretiva sejam adotadas para que os sistemas operem com maior uniformidade, e em consequência, com maior eficiência no uso da água.

Grau de entupimento em um sistema de irrigação localizada submetido a diferentes tempos de funcionamento

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o grau de entupimento e a vazão relativa ao longo do tempo e em diferentes pressões de operação de um sistema de gotejamento superficial. O experimento foi realizado em uma casa de vegetação instalada na área experimental do IFGoiano – Campus Rio Verde. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso, analisado em esquema fatorial 4 × 6, com três repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram em quatro pressões (0,8, 1,1, 1,4 e 1,7 kgf) e seis tempos de funcionamento (600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850 horas). O sistema de irrigação utilizado foi o de gotejamento superficial dotado de emissores autocompensantes modelo iDrop PC-PCDS com vazão de 2,2 L h -1 e pressão de operação de 5 a 45 mca, inseridos em mangueira de polietileno de baixa densidade de 16 mm, com espaçamento de 0,5 m. Depois de tabulados os dados de vazão, foram efetuados os cálculos do coeficiente de uniformidade absoluto, grau de entupimento, vazão relativa e coeficiente de uniformidade estatístico. Para a pressão de serviço de 0,8 e 1,4 Kfg o tempo de funcionamento de 744 e 555 horas, respectivamente, promoveu o menor valor de GE (<3,7%). As variações crescentes de pressão elevaram o CUA até atingir o seu valor máximo de aproximadamente 96,20% sob a pressão de operação de 1,24 kgf. A maior vazão relativa e Coeficiente de uniformidade estatístico são verificados no tempo de funcionamento inicial (600 horas).

Distribution uniformity in drip units applying dilutions of treated water produced by oil exploration

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the uniformity of distribution in drip units applying dilutions of treated water produced by oil exploration. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design in a split-split-plot scheme, with three replicates. The plots were composed of the treatments P0 - 100% groundwater, control; P10 - 90% groundwater and 10% produced water; P20 - 80% groundwater and 20% produced water; P30 - 70% groundwater and 30% produced water; and P40 - 60% groundwater and 40% produced water; the subplots had the types of non-pressure compensating drippers (D1 - 1.6 L h-1, Netafim Super Typhoon, D2 - 1.6 L h-1, Netafim Streamline and D3 - 1.7 L h-1, NaanDanJain TalDrip); and the sub-subplots contained the evaluation times (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 h). Distribution uniformity and statistical uniformity coefficients were evaluated every 40 h, until completing 160 h. The pH of the dilutions was the attribute posing the highest risk of clogging to the emitters. Also in relation to dilutions, P40 caused greater application non-uniformity in D2, while the highest values of application uniformity were achieved in treatments P10 and P20 with D1 and D3, indicating the effectiveness of dilution in minimizing clogging.

Water Distribution Uniformity in Driping System Under Growing Pressures

Increasing water use efficiency in agricultural systems is critical as it results in economic and environmental cost reductions, especially in localized irrigation, which depends on a number of factors, especially the flow rate of the emitters and proper uniformity of water distribution, both with respect to direct with the pressure of the emitters For this evaluation the use of coefficients of water uniformity, it is essential to indicate the best wetness management. The experiment was carried out in the Irrigation laboratory, in a test stand, using Christiansen uniformity coefficient - CUC, distribution uniformity coefficient - CUD and statistical uniformity coefficient - CUE. In the irrigation line, four pressures on the drip emitter (5, 10, 15 and 20 mca) were applied. The pressure variations obtained did not reduce the efficiency of the uniformity of water distribution by the drip system, falling into high efficiency ranges for all evaluated coefficients, representing adequate wetting rates.

HYDRAULIC PERFORMANCE OF DRIPPERS APPLYING SANITARY LANDFILL LEACHATE DILUTED IN WATER

ABSTRACT Drip irrigation with diluted sanitary landfill leachate favors the development of grasses on the landfill surface, however, the clogging of emitters of the irrigation systems is the major obstacle for this practice. The objective of this study was to select empirical models of the Christiansen's uniformity coefficient, distribution uniformity coefficient, and statistical uniformity coefficient of drip irrigation sets applying sanitary landfill leachate diluted in water as a function of time of operation, and quality of the effluent. An experiment was conducted in a completely randomized experimental design with three replicates, using a split-split plot arrangement, with operating pressures (70, 140, 210, and 280 kPa) in the plots, types of drippers (G1, 1.65 L h-1; G2, 2.0 L h-1; and G3, 4.0 L h-1) in the subplots, and operating time of the drip irrigation sets (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, and 160 hours) in the sub-subplots. Data regarding hydraulic performance and effluent quality were acquired every 20 hours during 160 hours of operation and subjected to simple and multiple regression analyses. The G3 dripper operating at pressures of 70 and 140 kPa were the combinations that best attenuated biofilm clogging. The linear regression and square root were the models that best represented the reduction in the uniformity of the effluent application as a function of the operating time of the drip irrigation sets. The linear correlations denoted that calcium contents and total coliform population rates were the characteristics of the sanitary landfill leachate that most affected the drip clogging process.

Influence of operating pressure on emitter anti-clogging performance of drip irrigation system with high-sediment water

Reducing emitters operating pressure has been widely acknowledged as one of the most effective approach to reduce drip irrigation system maintenance and operation costs. However, utilization of low-quality water, such as high-sediment water, reclaimed water, and brackish water, inevitably increases the emitters clogging risks. To examine the influence of different pressure levels on emitter clogging behavior and regulation path, an in-situ accelerated experiment of emitter clogging with high-sediment water was conducted with five operating pressure levels. The experiment was conducted from July 15, 2016, to October 15, 2016 with a total running time of 720 h. The results showed that emitter anti-clogging capability was gradually decreased as the operating pressure decreased below 100 to 60 kPa and was significant decreased as the operating pressure decreased below 60 to 40 kPa or lower. Therefore, the operating pressure should be kept above 60 kPa to maintain the favorable emitter anti-clogging performance. The change of the operating pressure directly and indirectly influenced the formation of clogging substance in the emitters. In addition, at different operating pressures, the anti-clogging performance parameters discharge ratio variation (Dra), coefficient of uniformity (CU), statistical uniformity coefficient (Us), emitter discharge variation (qvar), clogging substance within emitters (CSE) and clogging substance within laterals (CSL) were linearly correlated with anti-clogging performance parameters (Dra, CU, Us, qvar, CSE, CSL) of 100 kPa. Therefore, basing the Dra, CU, Us, qvar, CSE and CSL at 100 kPa, a simple linear model was established to predict anti-clogging performance parameters at the different pressures e.g. 20, 40, 60 and 80 kPa. This study could provide technical support for the application and promotion of the drip irrigation system with high-sediment water.

An in-situ accelerated experimental testing method for drip irrigation emitter clogging with inferior water

Emitter clogging has become a bottleneck in the application and promotion of inferior water drip irrigation technology. Understanding the detailed emitter clogging process is the precondition and basis for solving clogging issue. However, the existing indoor simulated experiments have the disadvantages in unnecessary effect on the results, and the in-situ experimentation is difficult due to the long experiment period. Therefore, this paper proposed an in-situ accelerated (ISA) experimental testing method for studying the emitter clogging behaviors in drip irrigation systems with inferior water source. Its feasibility was verified in Dengkou in Inner Mongolia, and a comparative study was performed to examine the differences and correlations between the ISA method and the normal intermittent (NI) method for drip irrigation using Yellow River water (YRW) and brackish water (BRW). The results indicated that the drip irrigation emitter clogging behaviors via the ISA method were relatively conservative. The values of randomness of clogging occurrence (△FQt), emitter clogging degree (EC), emitter discharge variation (qvar), clogging substance on the internal laterals (CSL) and clogging substance inside emitters (CSE) were lower than those of the NI method by 24–57, 64–110, 58–121, 16–38 and 14–32%, respectively. The average discharge variation ratio (Dra), Christiansen coefficient of uniformity (CU) and statistical uniformity coefficient (Us) were 7–13, 15–23 and 17–39% higher than those of the NI, respectively. Besides, the experimental results under the two modes (ISA and NI) had significant linear correlation (0.98 > R2 > 0.75). Thus, the ISA experimental results could be converted into those under NI mode using the linear model, without considering the effects of emitter type nor the water quality. This result indicated that the ISA method could accurately reflect the clogging behaviors of the drip irrigation emitter.

Análise de coeficientes de uniformidade em pivôs centrais instalados na região sudoeste de Goiás

The adequate distribution of water through the irrigation system is a determining factor in the cost of production and productivity of crops. The work was conducted at the farm Cereal Ouro II located in the municipality of Rio Verde-GO. Three systems of center pivot irrigation were analized: center pivot 01 (PC1) - Valmatic 110.08 ha; central pivot 02 (PC2) - Krebsfer 121.48 ha, and center pivot 03 (PC3) - Valmatic 66.00 ha. Ten evaluations of uniformity ofwater application were realized for each device using differents uniformity coefficients (CUC, CUE, CUD, CUA, CUH and UDH) and analysis of the coefficient of variation of discharge. Tests were conducted with the aid of 256 collectors (Kit Fabrimar) for the water level applied, and they were spaced 3.0 m apart along two radii, with the center coinciding with the base of the central pivot. The uniformity of distribution of water for the three pivots was greater than 81% using the statistical uniformity coefficient (CUE) and greater than 84% using the Christiansen uniformity coefficient (CUC).

Performance Evaluation of Bamboo (Bambusa Vulgaris, Schrad)-Pipe and Medi-Emitter in A Gravity-Flow Drip Irrigation System

The use of bamboo (<i>Bambusa vulgaris, Schrad</i>) in gravity – flow drip irrigation was evaluated at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ado Ekiti, Nigeria with leaf amaranth (<i>Amaranthus cruentus</i>) as test crop. System involved the use of bamboo as the conveyance structure and medical infusion sets as dripper to deliver water to the field at 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 drops of water/minute. The variation in discharge ranged from 6.35 to 10.21 percent as the flow rate decreases from 30 to 10 drops of water/minute. The corresponding manufacturer’s coefficient of variation ranged from 2.31 to 3.35 percent as the flow rate decreases. Statistical Uniformity Coefficient and Distribution Uniformity varied between 97.21 and 98.33 percent and 96.06 and 97.69 percent respectively as the flow rate increases. There was an increase in plant height on average of 4.85, 12.53, 32.43 and 42.58 cm one, two, three and four weeks after sowing while an optimum yield of 4.13Kg/m<SUP>2</SUP> was recorded from 15 drops of water/minute. This is a new dimension in affordable drip irrigation technology and an avenue to exploit local and cheap materials whose propagation should be emphasized.

Evaluation of CaCO3clogging in emitters with magnetized saline waters

Abstract High water application uniformity is essential for an effective irrigation. Clogging of emitters in drip irrigation systems is one of the most important factors decreasing uniformity. In this study, the possible effect of magnetization of water on chemical clogging of dripline emitters was investigated. Separate experiments were conducted with three different saline waters (W-1: 0.314 dS m−1, W-2: 0.665 dS m−1, W-3: 0.937 dS m−1) having a high pH and a positive Langelier saturation index (LSI). Discharge rates, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH’s of discharge water from emitters in driplines were measured. Uniformity of driplines was evaluated by using the statistical uniformity coeffi cient (Uc ) and the emission uniformity coeffi cient (Eu ). The pH and EC values of discharge water from emitters in driplines were found to be slightly lower when operated with magnetized water. However, discharge rates under non-magnetized water were lower than those of magnetized water. Magnetic effect was obs...