Subsurface irrigation with ultra-low-pressure (ULP) dripper

Abstract

In desert farming, water use efficiency is crucial for all plants including agroforestry crops such as date palm which are highly adapted to the desert ecosystems. To respond to the water use efficiency requirement in desert farming, innovation packages (Genetic, biophysical, and managerial) have been developed and deployed. Subsurface drip irrigation is one of such innovations. The system aims at minimizing water loss through evaporation, percolation and run of by directly delivering the water to the root zone. Subsurface irrigation is an improvement over the micro catchments established around the date palm trees. ICARDA and NARS partners in the Arabian Peninsula demonstrated that subsurface drip irrigation can save water in date palm production compared to conventional flood, drip, and bubbler irrigation systems Further improvement on sub surface irrigation is • Use of Ultra Low-Pressure Drippers (ULPD) to minimize energy consumption and facilitate us of solar energy • Placement of the ULPD within perforated tubes facilitating moisture distribution while preventing clogging