The first and main problem when growing plants in areas with an arid climate is the organization of irrigation. There are a number of watering options, but not every one of them can be considered effective. Today, one of the most common is drip irrigation. He is preferred for the reason that he allows the economical use of water. And the cost of water today has risen to such an extent that it already significantly affects the final cost of the final product. It can be assumed that the trend towards an increase in the cost of water will continue in the future and possibly increase. This factor affects the cost of production of large farms and vegetables that grow amateur gardeners.

Content:

1. Drip irrigation allows you to save water and increase productivity 
2. The first drip irrigation applied by Israeli farmers 
3. The advantages of drip irrigation 
4. Water supply 
5. What the drip irrigation system consists of  video
6. Design and installation of drip irrigation system  video
7. Drip watering bottles  video

Drip irrigation allows you to save water and increase productivity

The drip irrigation system creates excellent resources to significantly reduce the amount of water used. Plus, it makes it possible to fully automate the entire irrigation process, for example, drip irrigation of Aqua-Dusia, which allows you to complete the entire irrigation cycle without human intervention. In addition, experts note many positive aspects of such irrigation, which ultimately have their effect on increasing the number of crops from 20% to 80%. Such a large gap in the percentage ratio is directly related to the variety and type of a particular planted plant.

The minimum water consumption when using the drip irrigation system is due to the fact that the system is located near the root of the plant, which allows not to spray water throughout the entire site. In real use, it looks like this - a system of polyethylene pipes, having a sufficient number of branches, equipped with drip emitters-micro outlets. With constant use, water savings will be from 100% to 400% compared with the usual method of irrigation.

The drip irrigation system provides an excellent opportunity to add fertilizer to the water and thereby feed both plants and soil. Naturally, in this case there will be the same good savings and fertilizers. The conclusions are clear - such a method of irrigation increases the efficiency and profitability of the final result from planting crops, as well as makes it possible to engage in agriculture in those regions where previously it was unrealistic due to water problems.

The first drip irrigation applied by Israeli farmers

The first time a drip irrigation system was used in Israel about sixty years ago. The fact that Israel is located in a fairly arid part of the globe is not a secret to anyone. The amount of precipitation in some places does not exceed 20 mm. Also in this region, the usual method of irrigation is not permissible due to too high air temperature and because of the harsh burning sun. And useless waste of water is an expensive and inadmissible pleasure.

Thanks to this original watering, Israeli farmers found an opportunity to grow inexpensive fruits and vegetables not only for their consumption, but also for sale for export. With all this, one should not forget that the supply of fresh water in their area is very limited.

The advantages of drip irrigation

One of the main points of the system under consideration is the ability to apply, control and regulate fertilizers. For example, if a cultivated plot of land is not equipped with a drip irrigation system, then the entire plot must be fertilized. And if such a system is installed and successfully operated, then the need to fertilize the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe plot will disappear by itself - the necessary fertilizers will fall specifically on the root system of the crop and not be spent on weeds. This is also a good opportunity to feed plants seasonally. This system is also good in that it helps control the acidity of the soil and effectively resist unwanted insects and pests.

To date, this system has earned special popularity and is successfully used around the world. This highly economical method of irrigation is in demand and is successfully used both in greenhouses, in household plots and gardens, and in open ground. It is worthy of attention and application, because it has the following advantages:

• water from the drip system is fed slowly and specifically to the root system of the plant;

• desired by the owner or the necessary watering schedule, even possible round the clock;

• independent of changes in environmental conditions (evaporation, air temperature, strength and direction of the wind);

• improvement of the diet, depending on the stage of growth, type of plant, the result is a significant reduction in the amount of fertilizer consumed;

• prevention of soil compaction, the result is excellent aeration of the plant rhizome;

• having phyto-sanitation - in other words, moisture does not touch part of the plants located above the ground;

• quite a good effect from the treatment with pesticides;

• drip irrigation will not contribute to the growth of weeds;

• there is an opportunity to make sure that the soil is not too wet and thereby provide proper care to plants regardless of the irrigation stages.

Water supply

Water for the system must be taken either from the water supply system, or from a well or well. In no case is water from a fresh water source (lake, pond, etc.) permissible. If there is no other way out and water will have to be taken from natural reservoirs - the process of undergoing purification is mandatory and not replaceable. The cleaning task is to get rid of algae, which can begin to grow in the middle of drip equipment. As a result of the process of their growth, the whole system will clog and, naturally, will become unusable.

Fresh water is most often used in industrial vegetable growing, having previously gone through gravel and sand treatment. To use such cleaning for irrigation on a more modest scale, giving less profit - unprofitable and unprofitable. The price of a similar filter is commensurate with the cost of organizing a water well.

What the drip irrigation system consists of

Firstly, all drip irrigation systems are divided by degree of complexity. In general, they are made on the same principle. Their difference is only in additional control systems and various automation processes. To organize drip irrigation with your own hands, you need to know the necessary minimum of equipment for its organization on the site.

A drip irrigation tape is a plastic tape that is rounded when filled with water. Such drip irrigation hoses, in the middle are equipped with peculiar droppers, which in turn provide measured watering of the soil. There are different tapes designed for watering different types of plants. They differ in the diameter, the distance between the droppers, the wall thickness. All these nuances give a specific purpose to the system. For example, for tomatoes, the interval between the droppers is 30 cm, for cucumbers and carrots - 15 cm, etc. About one liter of liquid flows hourly through each dropper.

The pressure regulator prevents a break in the system possible due to increased water pressure.

The disk filter is attached at the entrance to the irrigation system and serves as a protection for droppers from microscopic debris. In the middle of the filter is a cassette with notched discs serving to delay sewage. They can be cleaned both manually and automatically.

Distributing pipeline - pipes for irrigation of small beds are directly attached to it. Experts advise against using pipes made from recycled raw materials, because it is likely that they will deform under the scorching summer sun and may leak at the points of attachment to the irrigation tape.

The connecting and stop valves are designed for fastening, fittings are used in irrigation systems. A tape is attached to one of the sides, and the other is attached to the wiring pipe, resorting to a rubber sealant. Also, a faucet can be attached to the fitting, which makes it possible to personally control the irrigation process.

DIY design and installation of a drip irrigation system

Before starting a project of a drip irrigation system, you need to draw a plan for planting cultivated plants, taking into account the prescribed intervals. Knowing the number of plants planned for planting, the amount of water needed for them and the flow rate of emitters, it is easy to calculate the total displacement per unit time and the right time for watering. The cost of the water consumed by the system should be lower than the productivity of the water supply source. If this is tap water, then you need to know exactly how much water he can give per hour through the existing pipe diameter. Usually this is checked as follows: they collect liquid in a ten-liter bucket, detecting how much time it will take. Then we translate the time into seconds, divide by 3600 and get the flow of water in liters.

Still need to measure the pressure directly in the place of water consumption. With increased (more than 1 ATM) - the regulator described above will be needed.

Different vegetables and fruits are often planted on the cultivated land, therefore a couple of subsystems must be connected to the irrigation system, the mutual arrangement of which will be correct in relation to the requirements of different cultivated plants. Also, if necessary, the system can be connected in parts and in turn, additionally considering the necessary number of cranes.

Having created a landing plan, it will not be difficult to design the complete set of the entire system, consisting of a pipe for wiring and taped irrigation tapes from it. Based on the project data, you need to buy materials and equipment. The first step is to lay the pipe for wiring. Then drill holes for the fitting. You will need a drill at 14.5. It is quite difficult to get it, but in stores classified on these products it can be found or ordered. The next step is to mount the rubber seal. Then the fitting is inserted into the seal. Experts do not advise changing the order by inserting a fitting with a seal into the hole.

Most likely in the middle of the pipe there will be chips left by the drill. Eliminate this problem will help rinse with a strong pressure of water. Following this, fittings are mounted on the fitting with nuts. The other edge of the tape is closed with either an ordinary plug or a triple knot of tape with a tape of tape.

After all the steps described above, the pipe is connected to a water supply and a test run of water is carried out. When the whole system is designed correctly, the earth at the rhizome of plants is watered evenly.

In principle, there is nothing intricate in the assembly process. A kit for assembling a drip irrigation system is a kind of designer, which is not at all difficult to assemble. The main thing is to carefully plan and calculate everything. Then it remains only to look after the exact operation of the system.

How to organize drip watering with bottles

If there are no funds to create a full-fledged drip irrigation system, then you can resort to a fairly simple and cheap method of watering from plastic bottles. You can use containers from 1.5-2 liters. First, holes of a small diameter are pierced in the walls of the bottle (with a red-hot needle or awl), then the bottle is buried in the ground, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and cabbage are planted around it. Pour water into the bottles, cover with lids, but do not twist. You can - on the contrary, pierce a hole in the lid, pour water through a hole in the bottom. Such irrigation will help maintain soil moisture for several days, then you will have to add water to the bottles.

Author: Sergey and Svetlana Khuentsov

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