1

MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Dr. R. S. RANA, Scientist(Agricultural Engineering,

HAREC,Dhaulakuan, Distt. Sirmour(HP)

3

Water is fundamental for life and health. The human right to water is indispensable for leading a healthy life in human dignity. It is a pre-requisite to the realization of all other human rights.-The United Nations Committee on Economic, Cultural and Social Rights,

Environment News Service, 27 Nov 02

The period 2005-2015 is the International Decade for action ‘Water for Life’

4

Water ScarcityCriteria<1000 m3 per capita/year : Severely water scarce1000 -1700m3 per capita/year : Water scarce

Status1990 : 18 severely water scare countries (<500 m3 in 12)2025 : 30 severely water scare countries (<500 m3 in 19)

Ref:www.fao.org/waterbudget

5

DO WE HAVE ENOUGH WATER ?

• With 2085 cubic km of fresh water India stands 7th in the world.

• India heading towards water scarce situation

Source: Biswaas, A.K. 1998. Water Resources-Environmental Planning, Management and Development. Pub: Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company Limited , New Delhi

YEAR PER CAPITA AVAILABILITY, CU M

1947 6008

1994 2280

2025 1500

2050 1270

6

Agriculture, in India• Share: 25% of the National GDP 15% of exports. • Agriculture sector - largest consumer of water.

• To meet the food security, income and nutritional needs of the projected population in 2020, the food production in India will have to be almost doubled to 400 million tons.

• Alone consumes 88% of water available which irrigate 38% of cultivated area (DAC, 1999).

• The overall irrigation efficiency of conventional irrigation methods such as furrow and border has not been more than 40% (INCID, 1994).

Virtual water for some important products

Virtual water is the volume of water required to produce a commodity or service. (Tony Allan, 1990)

By importing virtual water, water poor countries can

relieve the pressure on their domestic water resources.

8

If water is priced at 1 paise a liter, it costs Rs. 1,20,000 for growing paddy in one hectare land

Paddy requires approx. 120 cm of water

Valuing Water

9

Irrigating LandOr

Crops ?

Wasteful surface irrigation method

10

DEPLETING GROUND WATER

Water diversion for domestic demand

11

What is Microirrigation?What is Microirrigation?Frequent application of small quantities

of water directly above and below the soil surface; usually as discrete drops, continuous drops, tiny streams, or microspray; through emitters or applicators placed along a water delivery line

To irrigate and fertigate the plant instead of soil

12

Moisture availability in different irrigation methods

Days

Drip method

Sprinkler method

Surface method

Wilting point (15 atm)

Field capacity (1/3 atm)

Fig.1. Moisture availability to crops in different irrigation methods

13

Types of MI SystemsTypes of MI Systems

A. Surface • On-line drip systems• In-line drip systems• Micro-jets• Micro-sprinklersB. Subsurface drip Irrigation system

14

Controlled applicationHigh soil water potential in root zonePartial soil wettingMaintain dry foliageUse of low quality waterEnergy efficientFertigation/ chemigationAdoption of marginal waterAdoption to landscape irrigationAdoption to protected crops

Attributes 

15

Low water delivery rate and pressure

Precise placement of water and nutrients

Minimum application, runoff and deep percolation losses

Improves irrigation control and efficiency

Less weed growth

Improved crop yields

More crop per unit water

Advantages

16

High initial cost

Clogging

Salt accumulation in soil

Lack of microclimate

Irrigation for seed germination

Operational constraints

Limitation

17

DRIP IRRIGATIONIt is the technique of slow application of

water in the form of discrete, continuous drop, tiny stream or miniature sprays through mechanical devices called drippers or emitters.

18Fig 2 : A general layout of drip irrigation system

19

Water distribution under point source

20

6 x 8LPH

2½-3ft 2ft

Online dripper placement

Wetting Pattern

Plant

21

Double lateral wetting pattern 8 x 4LPH

Plant

Wetting Pattern

22

Sr.No State Up to 2005-06 (ha) 2006-07 (ha) Total (ha)

1 Maharashtra 219696 51597 2712932 Andhra Pradesh 152227 66258 2184853 Karnataka 114304 21679 1359834 TamilNadu 116665 12241 1289065 Gujarat 16686 38314 550006 Rajasthan 10025 2653 126787 Kerala 10559 848 114078 Madhya Pradesh 6483 2751 92349 Uttar Pradesh 4609 1633 6242

10 Punjab 4262 1141 540311 Haryana 4219 1068 528712 Orissa 2036 429 246513 Chattisgarh 1979 0 197914 Goa 740 8 748

Total 664490 200620 865110

Table 2: STATUS OF DRIP IRRIGATION COVERAGE IN INDIA

Gujarat 2007-08 45,000 ha Total= 100000 ha

23

Sr.No.

Country Irrigated area

(M ha)

Area under Microirrigation (M ha) Sprinkler % Drip % Total %

1 Israel 0.23 0.058 25 0.170 74 0.228 992 France 1.58 1.42 90 0.103 7 1.523 973 Russia 4.45 3.96 89 0.200 4 4.160 934 Saudi Arabia 1.17 0.75 64 0.198 17 0.948 815 Spain 3.28 0.89 27 1.172 36 2.062 636 USA 21.3 9.80 46 1.209 6 11.01 527 South Africa 1.49 0.60 40 0.178 12 0.778 528 Brazil 3.44 1.20 35 0.378 11 1.578 469 India 60.0 1.71 3 0.850 1 2.300 4

Table 1. Countries having significant areas under microirrigation

24

MICRO-SPRINKLER IRRIGATIONIn this system small sprinkler like devices called

micro-sprinkler, spray water over soil surface in the root zone at low pressure.

25

Micro-sprinkler irrigation in citrus orchard

26

Micro-sprinkler irrigation in floriculture

27 Micro sprinkler irrigation under control condition

28

Operating pressure: 1-2 bars

Flow rate: 35-250 litres/hr

Wetting diameter: 3-6 m

Precipitation rate: 2-20 mm/hr

Performance Characteristics of Mirco-Jet 

Ref: Pressurized Irrigation Techniques By FAO

29

Micro-jet irrigation with 1800

30 Micro-jet irrigation with 3600

31

32

Subsurface Drip irrigation

33

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) is advancement over surface drip irrigation.

Defined as application of water below the soil surface through the emitters, with discharge rates generally in the same range as surface drip irrigation

Indicates lateral placement below soil surface.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation

34

Reduced evaporation loss

Precise placement of water and chemicals

More efficient water and chemical use

Enhanced plant growth, crop yield and quality

Less interference with cultural operations

Reduced damage due to weed, pest and diseases

Reduced exposure of irrigation equipment to damage

No soil crusting due to irrigation

Advantages of SDI over surface drip irrigation

35

5 cm10 cm15 cm20 cm

Soil Surface

Location of laterals

Fig.7: Section at X-X

R1 R2 R3

36

Depth of lateral, ZW1,T1

W2,T2

W3,T3

W4,T4

W5,T5

D1, T1

D2, T2

D3, T3

D4, T4D5, T5

Fig. 8: Soil wetting under SDI at different duration of water application

Location of dripper

37

Soil wetting with different depth of placement of laterals

38

Soil wetting with 15, 10 and 5 cm depth of lateral

39

Subsurface Drip irrigation

40 Subsurface drip irrigation in cotton

41

Micro irrigation techniques have provided an alternative to the farming community because of its water-saving and yield increasing potential which raises the prospect of increasing the crop productivity.

Different micro-irrigation methods along with mulch and proper crop geometry increases the water use efficiency and yields of crops by many folds.

Micro-irrigation techniques have materialized the concept of “more crop per drop” by insuring the availability of adequate quantity and quality of water especially in dryland agriculture where water is the most limiting factor in crop production.

Subsurface drip is expected to give valuable results under dry weather conditions and mitigate the adverse effect of water scarcity supporting substantially good yields.

Conclusion

• In traditional agriculture,water management

andNutrient Managementaretwo distinct activities.

Traditional Practice of Agriculture

FERTIGATION vs. FERTILIZATIONAPPLICATION OF NUTRIENTSAPPLICATION OF NUTRIENTS

Conventional pre plant fertilizer: Plants get a larger dosage of fertilizer than they require at the time it is applied. Losses occur.

Fertigation: Fertilizers are applied according the need for nutrients, following the uptake rate of the crop.

Why Fertigation?

Losses through leaching, volatilization and runoff

Active root zone area due to restricted wetted area

In broadcast or band application 40 % of fertilizer fall beyond the active root zone

Soil erosion and Run-off

Fates of Applied Nutrients

Immobilization

Leaching Lattice/Chemical fixation

Plant removal Volatilization

Selection of crop/ variety

Ways to improve efficiency

Methods of application

Time of application

Land and irrigation management

Nutrient source

Use of inhibitor/ modified forms

Balance nutrition

Integrated use

“To be a good fertigator, a grower first needs to be a good irrigator” Clark, G.A.(1991)

1. Uniform application of fertilizer:2. Placement in root zone;

3. Quick and convenient method:4. Save /Increased fertilizer use efficiency:

5. Frequent application is possible:6. Application in different grades of

fertilizers:7. Micronutrients application:

8. Saves ground water pollution:9. Increase in crop yield

Fertigation advantages

Limitation of fertigation

High initial cost:

Uneven nutrient distribution when the irrigation system is

faulty

Chemical reactions of fertilizers with calcium and

bicarbonate in water, which can lead to clogging.

Need for skilled labour/ trained hands for management

and maintenance.

Fertilizer suitability:

Suitable fertilizers for fertigation •High nutrient content in a form readily available to

plants.

•Highly soluble at field temperature conditions.

•Fine-granule product.

•No chemical interaction between the fertilizer and

irrigation water.

•Minimum content of conditioning agent.

http://www.jains.com/irrigation/drip%20irrigation%20model%20design.htm

Pressure GaugeAir release

ValveDisk Filter

Hydro-Cyclone Filter

Fertilizer Pump

Disk Filter

Inlet

Outlet

Media filter

Fertilizertank

Air valveWater Meter(optional)

Throttlevalve

Non-returnvalve Pressure

gauge

Flow Control& Backflushvalves

Head Control UnitHead Control Unit

Disc filter

FERTILIZER INJECTION METHODSFERTILIZER INJECTION METHODS

Fertilizer tank Venturi injector Fertilizer pumps

GRAVEL FILTER

Hydro Cyclone Filter

Hydro Cyclone Filter

Leader Filter Parts – Step by Step

Filter Body

Cover

Filter Element

Seal

Cap

Water/pressure release valve

Rain water harvesting - MIS

Approximately 15-20 m head is sufficient for getting 1.2 kg pressure at mains inlet

Zero energy MIS

Fertilizer tankFilter

Water source

Over flow outlet

Non return valve

Fertilizer tank (Flow by-pass system):

Injection pump

Fertilizer tank

Filter

Water source

Over flow outlet

Non return valve

Fertilizer Injector Pump (Fertigation Pump)

Fertigation

Non return valve

Ventury injector

Drip + Mulch + Fertigation in brinjal

Methods of irrigation

Water saving : 20%

Fertilizer saving : 20%

Water saving : 20%

Fertilizer saving : 20%

Methods of irrigation

Paired row + Drip irrigation + black plastic mulch +fertigation in banana

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 20-35

Water saving 40Fertilizer saving 40Early maturity 30-35 (days)

Paired row +Drip irrigation + Black plastic mulch + fertigation in tomato

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 37

Water saving 33Fertilizer saving 40

Drip irrigation + mulch in brinjal

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 39

Water saving 40Fertilizer saving 20

Paired row + Drip irrigation + black plastic mulch + fertigation in okra

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 25

Water saving 40Fertilizer saving 20

Paired row + Drip irrigation + plastic mulch in bitter gourd

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 18

Water saving 40

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 40

Water saving 20Fertilizer saving 25

Drip irrigation with black plastic mulch in rose

Sprinkler irrigation + fertigation in onion cv. Gujarat Red

Sr. No. Crop / Variety(Spacing: cm)

% Water saving

% Yield

increase

% N saving

1 Onion cv. Gujarat Red (15 x 20) 42 23 20

Paired row + Drip irrigation + black plastic mulch + fertigation in chillies

Improvement over surface method of irrigation (%)Yield 20-45

Water saving 40-50Fertilizer saving 20

Fertigation with micro-irrigation Systems

Drip or

Micro Jet

Pivot or frontal irrigation boom

Foliar application

Sprinkler irrigation + fertigation in onion cv. Gujarat Red

Sr. No. Crop / Variety(Spacing: cm)

% Water saving

% Yield

increase

% N saving

1 Onion cv. Gujarat Red (15 x 20) 42 23 20

CONCLUSION

From the foregoing discussion, it can be concluded that fertigation, a recently emerged advance technique holds promise in yield maximization in wide spaced crops viz. cash crops, fruits & vegetables and plantation crops. Besides bumper yield in most of the crops, it realizes 20-40 %fertilizer saving and 40-50% water saving as well as nutrient uptake and better quality of produce. Adoption of this technique to a larger extent will not only increase the crop yield but also the fertilizer use efficiency and quality of produce. However, extensive efforts are required for standardization of this technique for varying crops and conditions.

Vision Values Strategy Resource Capability Motivation Feed Back =Change

=

=

=

=

=

=

=

Confusion

Corruption

Diffusion

Frustration

Fatigue

Crawl

Doubt

Managing Change

96

Main canal

Branch / Distributary

Minor

97

PUMP AND FILTRATION ROOM

CANAL

POWER LINE

PIPES + DIGGI + PUMP& PUMP ROOM + POWER

PIPES

PINS

98

PUMP ROOM

DIGGI

CANAL

OUT LET

SUMP WELL

POWER LINE

99

Concept of PINS- Network Bridge Between Canal and MIS in the Field

100

Sample Chak Plan Showing Layout of Buried pipe lineSample Chak Plan Showing Layout of Buried pipe line

outlet

naka

113

Save Water

Save energy

and… save life

128

THANKSTHANKS