Pressure-discharge and Hydraulic Gradient along the Lateral of the Drip Irrigation System for Okra
S. Vanitha *
Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Kumulur – 621 712, India.
S. Senthilvel
Department of Soil and Water Conservation Engineering, RVS College, Coimbatore-641402, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Micro irrigation system should ensure relatively same amount of water to each plant along the total length of lateral line. In general, the drip irrigation systems are low to medium operating pressure head systems with a pressure requirement in range of 0.5 kg/cm2 to 2.5 kg/cm2 depending on the area irrigated and field layout geometry. However, since these systems are pressure irrigation systems which require appropriate operating pressure heads to deliver the required rates of flow, the inevitable frictional head losses are to be compensated for maintaining uniformity in water application. Hence, the hydraulic gradient compensation needs to be achieved by some viable mechanism so that the inequality in pressure heads and discharges can be eliminated or minimized. The crop production will have its maximum yield and water use efficiency only one the water distribution uniformities at its the highest. Hydraulic gradient compensation assumes a vital role in compensating the operating pressure heads as well as the emitter discharges. The hydraulic gradient compensated drip lateral layout registered high order of water distribution uniformity in the range of 97.8% and irrigation usage efficiency in the range of 17.98 kg/ha/mm to 20.69 kg/ha/mm for 2 lph emitter arrangements.
Keywords: Pressure, discharge, hydraulic gradient, lateral