What are the common problems with drip irrigation and how can they be fixed?
Drip irrigation has been touted as one of the best types of irrigation in the world. Drip irrigation involves the wetting of the root zone of plants in a slow and trickle manner.
Despite the efficiency of drip irrigation, it has some problems which may make them ineffective for farmers and gardeners.
The common problems with drip irrigation and how they can be solved
The following are some of the common problems with drip irrigation and how they can be solved:
Clogged emitters and drippers
The emitters and drippers of drip irrigation lines and drip tapes can get blocked and clogged. This is one of the commonest problems farmers experience when using drip irrigation systems.
To fix this problem, filters should be used, this can remove the dirts and other impurities in the drip irrigation system. The drip tapes and lines should also be flushed intermittently so that the impurities in the system can be removed.
Dirty water should also not be pumped into the drip irrigation system.
Leaks
Leaking of the drip tapes and other drip irrigation pipes is one of the commonest problems with drip irrigation. Leaks can happen during installation. Rodents can also create leaks on the drip tapes. Leaks can also be caused by human errors or aging of the system.
Drip joiners or straight connectors can be used to repair leaks on the drip tape.
Low Pressure
Low pressure can also be a problem in a drip irrigation system. This is caused by poor water distribution due to problems with the pump or poor reticulation.
This problem can be solved by using the right type of water pump. It can also be solved by doing a right reticulation work for the distribution of water.
Root Intrusion
Root intrusion is also one of the commonest problems with drip irrigation. Root intrusion can lead to blockage of the system and inefficient distribution of water to the root system.
To solve this problem, the root system of plants should be kept clear of the drip irrigation lines.
Poor Water Distribution
Poor water distribution can also be a problem with drip irrigation. This is often caused by uneven topography, problem with the pump and poor reticulation.
This problem can be done by using the right type of pump, getting the water reticulation right and avoiding areas with a poor topography.
Do you use drip irrigation systems? If yes, why not share with us in the comments’ section, the problems you encounter with your drip irrigation system?
