Evaluation of emitters and water quality in trickle irrigation systems under Iranian conditions

ABSTRACT: Trickle irrigation is the precise, slow application of water as discrete drops, continuous drops, small streams, or miniature sprays through mechanical devices called emitters located close to the plants. One major disadvantage of trickle systems is the tendency for emitters to clog. The field performance of 10 areas of trickle irrigation system in Iran was studied. Physical, chemical and biological analyses includes pH, EC, TSS, TDS, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca and bacterial number were carried out of water samples from different areas. In this study percentage of completely clogged emitters (Pclog), Emission Uniformity (EU), statistical uniformity (Us), and coefficient of variation due to emitter performance in the field (Vpf) were evaluated. Results showed that performance of trickle irrigation systems in Iran is low and poor. Average EU, Us, and Vpf in different areas is 52.8, 61.3 and 38.2% respectively. Most of problems in irrigation units have been detected: Inadequate working pressures, emitters clogging, and lack of train for farmers.