As the world population grows so does the need for more food. This growth is coupled with a reduction in arable land as people settle and build homes where farming should be done. This forces mankind to come up with better farming methods that will take less space and produce more food. Systems like pulse irrigation has proven to be just one of the ways to make land more productive while using little water.
This is a type of irrigation that makes it possible to manage your water usage. It can be scaled to whatever flow one requires so as to greatly minimize water flow. It can be used with sprinkler or drip irrigation very effectively. The traditional low flow systems and even ultra low flow systems of irrigation can be used with this pulse system.
It is even better used in places with scarcity of water like in desert regions. By passively allowing water to flow into a reservoir, it builds pressure at a controlled rate. Once the predetermined pressure is reached, the outlet valves are forced open hence a pulse of water flows out.
The flow gradually lowers the pressure hence the valve closes again so that the reservoir can recharge again. The inflow is kept below the outlet flow therefore the cycle is maintained. A drip flow controller is used at the inlet managing the rate at which water flows into the reservoir therefore the timing.
This low flow pulse system can operate without monitoring for a long period of time. This saves the farmer from overwatering the plants. Engaging in this constant, frequent and controlled irrigation reduces water demand and lowers usage by a large margin. It also reduces water stress on plants as they have a period when there is no water flow as the pressure builds in the reservoir.
To make this system work, strong magnets are used to keep the outlet valve closed. As the reservoir pressure overcomes the magnet strength, they are forced open and the top one goes up allowing water to flow. When the pressure reduces, the magnet lowers and sticks back in position and another cycle of recharging starts.
When used with a sprinkler system, the results are impressive. During seed germination, it can be set to sprinkle for 5 seconds every minute in the first two weeks after planting. This is then gradually adjusted till you can allow it to sprinkle for an 8 hour period three times a week. The basic determinants are the rain conditions, intensity of the sun and water need by the plant.
The advantages of using this pulse irrigation system are numerous. When used for drip and sprinkler systems, there are no run off on if using heavy soil. In sandy soil, you have no leaching and water is not lost even though sand has low water retention capabilities. In hilly areas and shallow soil, water can still be applied efficiently without any run off. Temperature control can be achieved through evaporative cooling by use of the intermittent sprinkling and use of foggers. Given the very low discharge rate, growing plants in containers or greenhouse will require less space. It allows for the use of lower capacity pumps and smaller conduits hence reduced system costs in general.
This is a type of irrigation that makes it possible to manage your water usage. It can be scaled to whatever flow one requires so as to greatly minimize water flow. It can be used with sprinkler or drip irrigation very effectively. The traditional low flow systems and even ultra low flow systems of irrigation can be used with this pulse system.
It is even better used in places with scarcity of water like in desert regions. By passively allowing water to flow into a reservoir, it builds pressure at a controlled rate. Once the predetermined pressure is reached, the outlet valves are forced open hence a pulse of water flows out.
The flow gradually lowers the pressure hence the valve closes again so that the reservoir can recharge again. The inflow is kept below the outlet flow therefore the cycle is maintained. A drip flow controller is used at the inlet managing the rate at which water flows into the reservoir therefore the timing.
This low flow pulse system can operate without monitoring for a long period of time. This saves the farmer from overwatering the plants. Engaging in this constant, frequent and controlled irrigation reduces water demand and lowers usage by a large margin. It also reduces water stress on plants as they have a period when there is no water flow as the pressure builds in the reservoir.
To make this system work, strong magnets are used to keep the outlet valve closed. As the reservoir pressure overcomes the magnet strength, they are forced open and the top one goes up allowing water to flow. When the pressure reduces, the magnet lowers and sticks back in position and another cycle of recharging starts.
When used with a sprinkler system, the results are impressive. During seed germination, it can be set to sprinkle for 5 seconds every minute in the first two weeks after planting. This is then gradually adjusted till you can allow it to sprinkle for an 8 hour period three times a week. The basic determinants are the rain conditions, intensity of the sun and water need by the plant.
The advantages of using this pulse irrigation system are numerous. When used for drip and sprinkler systems, there are no run off on if using heavy soil. In sandy soil, you have no leaching and water is not lost even though sand has low water retention capabilities. In hilly areas and shallow soil, water can still be applied efficiently without any run off. Temperature control can be achieved through evaporative cooling by use of the intermittent sprinkling and use of foggers. Given the very low discharge rate, growing plants in containers or greenhouse will require less space. It allows for the use of lower capacity pumps and smaller conduits hence reduced system costs in general.
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