Taking The Mystery Out of Micro-Irrigation
-
Upload
charlotte-county-ufifas-extension-service -
Category
Education
-
view
2.150 -
download
4
description
Transcript of Taking The Mystery Out of Micro-Irrigation
1
2
Taking the Mystery Out of Micro-irrigation
Jack Tichenor, Water Conserv. AgentJack Tichenor, Water Conserv. Agent
Manatee County /University of Florida Manatee County /University of Florida Extension ServiceExtension Service
(941) 722-4524(941) 722-4524
http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/water.htmhttp://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/water.htm
3
3 Basic Ways to Irrigate Landscapes
1. Sprayers
3. Micro
2. Rotors
4
Shrub bed zone
Grass zone
Ideal site for micro-irrigation
Use sprayers or rotorsJack Tichenor
5
Water Use Zones
Separate irrigation zones into categories:
•Flowers, shrubs or trees in mulched beds
•Grass
6
Separate Zones-Grass and Shrubs
Depending upon the location, variety, etc; Most grass needs 20 to 35 inches of irrigation water per year.
•Most woody plants in mulched areas require approximately 10 inches of irrigation per year. (in addition to our 50+ inches rain per year)
UF Bulletin 320, 1993Jack Tichenor
Why?
7
Micro-IrrigationApplying small quantities of water directly to the plant root zone in the form of drops, tiny streams or miniature sprays while leaving unplanted spaces dry. Max. emitter flow rate is 30 gallons per hour.
8
•Best for shrub / flower beds.
•Easy to install and change.
•Can connect to hose,faucet or permanent.
•Use as “nurse” system on new plantings.
Micro-Irrigation(also known as low-volume or drip)
9
Distribution Tubing
Water is brought to plants at low flow rates by plastic tubing
10
Poly Pipe – (Polyethylene)
A flexible, low cost, plastic tubing widely used in micro-irrigation. Carbon-black is added to resin for UV light resistance.
11
12
13
14
Tubing Max. Flow Rates(From Rainbird’s Low Volume Irrigation Design Manual pg. 67)
Poly Distribution Pipe Size
Max. Flow GPM (GPH)
PSI Loss per 100 ft.*
1/2” 4.7 GPM
(282 GPH)
8.8 PSI
3/4” 8.3 GPM
(498 GPH)
6.3 PSI
1” 13.5 GPM
810 GPH
4.8 PSI
*Assume no barb friction loss or elevation change.
15
4 Types of Micro-Irrigation
Micro-Sprayers
Drippers
“Shrubblers”
Drip Tubing
Jack Tichenor
16
Micro-Sprayer/Sprinklers
• Interchangeable emitters.
• Install on stake or riser.
• Wets larger surface area, mass plantings, plant groups.
• Easier to see operating.
• Wets foliage.
17Jack Tichenor
18Distribution tubing
“Spaghetti” tubing
Support stake
Emitter
Jack Tichenor
19
Shrubblers• On short stake - sprays close to ground. • Solid spray or rays in 180 or 360 pattern.• Can be adjusted or shut off.• Establish and maintain larger plants.
20Jack Tichenor
21
Distribution tubing
“Spaghetti” tubing
Shrubbler & stake
Jack Tichenor
22
Drippers• Apply water directly to soil.
• Attach to dist. tubing or to “spaghetti tubing”.
• For widely spaced plants or pots.
• Made in flow rates of ½ gph up to 24 gph.
Spaghetti tubes
23
Drippers
Jack Tichenor
24
25Jack Tichenor
26
Drip Tubing• Emitters are factory installed inside tubing.• Emitters are pressure compensating.• Fewer parts & pieces.• Generally out of sight.• Dry foliage.• Creates a row of wet circles.
Jack Tichenor
27
Drip Tubing
Emitters
28Circular pattern
29
PVC header to drip tubing
30
31
32
Drip Tubing Maximum Length*For Rainbird Xeri-Flex, 0.9GPH drippers @ 12”
Inlet Pressure in PSI Max. Length in Feet
20 94
30 182
40 244
50 292
60 322
* Varies with spacing, flow rates & with manufacturer. Check product performance.
33
“Portable” Micro SystemTimer/valve (optional)
Backflow preventer
Filter
(optional)
Tubing adapter
Elbow or Tee
Distribution tubing
Emitter (sprayer)
Closure
Faucet connection
Available in stores as a starter kit.
Press. reg. (opt.)
Jack Tichenor
34
“Permanent” Micro System
Valve box
Isolation valveFilter
Zone Valve
Pressure regulator
35
Water FilterRemoves particles
to minimize clogging.
Emitter Size Filter Mesh
0.5 GPH 200 mesh
0.6 to 0.9 GPH 150 mesh
1 GPH & up 120 mesh
Choose filter mesh based upon emitter size
36
Pressure Regulator1.Reduces incoming water pressure to help prevent rupturing plastic tubing & fittings.2.Provides usable pressure range for emitters.
Available in various pressures; 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 PSI
37
PE or PVC pipe to micro zone
Permanent System
Jack Tichenor
38
PE piping from “stub PE piping from “stub up” to drip emittersup” to drip emitters
Permanent System
39
1 FT TIMES 1 = 1 GAL/WEEK
2 FT TIMES 2 = 4 GAL/WEEK
Plant diameter
How much to apply?
40.5gph
.5gph
1 gph 1 gph
1 gph1 gph
1 FT x 1 = 1 gal/week 2 FT x 2 = 4 gal/week
Dripper or bubbler installation
41
Soil Moisture Content
42
Building Materials Store
43
Sources for Further Information:
Manufacturer Websites:
http://www.antelco.comhttp://www.digcorp.com http://www/mrdrip.com http://www.mrlandscaper.comhttp://www.rainbird.com http://www.toro.com
http://www.watermatters.orgWater Restrictions:
Extension Publications:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_AE:IRRhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_EP
Jack Tichenor
44
Questions?
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65