Description of practice
Drip irrigation is a method of controlled irrigation in which water is slowly delivered to the root systems of multiple plants. Water is either dripped onto the soil surface above the roots or delivered directly to the root zone. It is often preferred to flood (surface) irrigation because less water is used and lost to evaporation.
| Examples of how to use drip irrigation | Further information (see Note below) |
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Drip irrigationDrip irrigation is used to provide a constant water supply to crops, minimizing water and labour use while improving crop growth and yield. Salinization of the soil is minimized by efficient water use. |
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Low-cost drip irrigationWater is precisely delivered to crops through perforated tubes. In this low-cost drip irrigation system, the pressure is supplied by connecting the tubes to a raised water tank. |
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Polyethylene sheeting and intermittent cloth stripsPolyethylene sheeting and spaced cloth strips are used to deliver water to individual plants when poor quality irrigation water could clog nozzles. |
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Subsurface drip irrigationA low-pressure, high efficiency irrigation system is used in which buried drip tubes or drip tape meet crop water needs. Subsurface drip irrigation minimizes evaporation losses and reduces weed pressure. |
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Orchard drip irrigationA network of valves, pipes, tubes and nozzles are used in an orchard drip irrigation scheme to allow water to drip directly onto the root zone of the trees. |
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Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.