Proper
maintenance is the key to maximizing the benefits of a micro-irrigation
system, which typically consists of six components.
•
Pumps, which lift water from a well, reservoir or other water source
and deliver it to a filter at a specified pressure.
• Filters, which cleanse the water sufficiently to allow safe
passage through the small flow paths of dripperline emitters or sprayers.
• Valves, which control the flow and pressure of the water to
various parts of the system.
• Main line and sub-mainline pipes, which deliver water to the
dripperline.
• Emitters and sprayers, which deliver water and nutrients to
the crop.
Maintenance
Practicing preventative maintenance allows growers to identify risk
areas before they become time- and cost-intensive problems. Growers
should perform a system maintenance check every one to three months.
This routine can include a visual inspection of the water flow and
pressure, and if needed, a system flush. Temporary problems like plugging
or high acid levels in the water can be solved by flushing the system
with water or chemicals to break down particle deposits. The type
of chemicals used depends on a grower’s water quality.
For example, well water is traditionally very clean. Yet it still
can carry soil particles and minerals, such as iron, into a micro-irrigation
system resulting in a slimy residue that can clog emitters. Channel
water – or water from open canals, lakes or streams –
often contains high levels of organic matter such as algae, which
thrive in warm, moist environments. These materials can multiply within
a dripperline, sticking to pipes and emitters.
Use the following checklist as a guideline when developing a maintenance
schedule for systems that use channel or well water.
•
Regularly check water flow and pressure. A low flow rate can indicate
a blockage in an emitter or filter, while a high flow rate may signal
a breakdown in the system.
• Inspect all dripperlines by opening the closed end. If there
is dirt build-up, flush the system with a high velocity of water to
wash particles from the line. If organic matter from channel water
is plugging pipes and emitters, inject chlorine into the water to
oxidize the matter and flush it from the system. Acid can also be
used to break down large mineral settlements in the dripperline. Follow
a manufacturer’s recommendations for acid or chlorine injection,
since different doses affect crops in different ways.
• Conduct a visual inspection of sprayers and jets at least
twice a season, and repair individual moving parts as needed. Regular
maintenance is critical for micro-irrigation systems using these devices,
which spray water and nutrients onto large portions of crops. Irregular
doses of water or chemicals due to a malfunctioning sprayer or jet
can harm vegetables.
• Inspect filters twice a season, and if needed, flush the filters
with chlorine to avoid clogging.
Maintaining an irrigation
system requires dedication and foresight, but an effective system
is worth the investment.
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