Drip Irrigation. Make the Right Choice

When it comes to drip lines/tapes, there are quite literally thousands of different options to choose from. The wrong selection can easily cost you in yield by underperformance or poor uniformity, additional energy costs by being inefficient, or not last the intended lifespan.

“It’s not about what is best in general, it’s about what is right for your farm,” says Matt Clift, Director of Global Product Management & Marketing from drip irrigation leader Rivulis. “If you choose the right drip line/tape to your conditions, you’ll get better performance and fewer problems.”

Tube Thickness

Drip tape, or thin-wall drip line, typically ranges from 5 to 15 mil (thousands of an inch) in thickness. It’s best suited for single season crops where the laterals are removed at the end of the season. 12 – 15 mil products can also be used for multi-season use where it is retrieved and redeployed, and 15 mil can be used in long-term sub-surface applications.

Heavy-wall drip lines, on the other hand, are designed for multi-season and perennial crops like orchards and vineyards. These range from 35 – 45 mil (0.9 – 1.15 mm) in thicknesses. They can handle higher pressure and longer-term use.

Pressure Compensation

One of the biggest differences is whether the drip line is pressure-compensated (PC) or not. PC emitters deliver the same flow even if the pressure varies. That makes them ideal for sloped fields and long runs which would cause pressure variations along the length of the tube. Non-PC emitters vary flow with pressure and work best in flat fields with shorter run lengths.

For example, the Rivulis D5000 PC is a pressure compensating drip line that offers high uniformity along long rows and undulating ground. It is a very common drip line to see in vineyards and orchards in particular. On the other hand, thin-wall non-PC options like Rivulis D900 are ideal for flat fields where the crop is seasonal.

Anti-Siphon and No-Drain

PC drippers also have 2 additional options – Anti Siphon and No Drain.

Anti-siphon emitters aim to prevent soil suck-back into the emitter when the system shuts off. They seal when there is a negative pressure in the pipe and then open when the pressure is zero. No-drain emitters hold water in the drip line between irrigation events, which is especially useful in pulse irrigation systems.  

Spacing and Flow Rate

Spacing and flow-rate have to be considered together as the combination is the amount of water you apply per meter. The choice is primarily an agronomic decision based upon your crop water need and your soil type.

Making the Right Decision

Choosing the right drip line/tape is a critical decision you need to make upfront. Rivulis has developed a suite of Drip Guides and a Knowledge Hub that guide you through this decision. The Knowledge Hub for choosing the correct drip line/tape for your farm can be accessed at: https://www.rivulis.com/knowledge-hub/overview-of-drip-irrigation-systems-components/drip-emission-drip-tapes-drip-lines-and-online-drippers/