Drip irrigation system maintenance: why it is necessary?
Date: 29-03-2022
Amongst the Drip Irrigation Manufacturers & suppliers in India, the name that stands out most is Kothari Agritech Pvt. Ltd. The Kothari Group is one of the premium names known for hi-tech Agro technology and Agri water Management solutions. Kothari is bringing out this special blog on the importance of the drip irrigation system for effective irrigation all the time.
Drip System
Drop by drop Irrigation directly to the plant root zone on the basis of daily water requirement of the crop is called the drip Irrigation. This system is having highest Irrigation efficiency among the all irrigation systems.
Need of Maintenance
The life of the drip system depends on the periodic maintenance. The main reason for maintenance is to avoid the chocking in the drip system. The chocking can be due to the entry of physical, biological & chemical elements present in water. To avoid the chocking of drip system due to those, periodic maintenance of the system is the must.
Types of Maintenance
There are different types of maintenance as mentioned below for extending the life of the drip system. On the periodic basis they are divided as
- Daily maintenance
- Weekly Maintenance
- Monthly maintenance
- Pre-season maintenance
| Sr | Maintenance Type | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleaning of Hydrocyclone Filter | Daily |
| 2 | Back flush of the Sand Filter | Daily |
| 3 | Cleaning of the screen or Disc Filter | Daily |
| 4 | Checking for any leakage in the system | Weekly |
| 5 | The flushing of the Main & Submain end Flush Valve | Weekly |
| 6 | Checking the working pressure of the system | Weekly |
| 7 | Flushing of the Lateral ends | Weekly |
| 8 | Flushing of fertilizer system with Water | Weekly |
| 9 | Checking of Air Valve & NRV | Monthly |
| 10 | Checking of the systems against rodents & animals | Monthly |
| 11 | Checking of Filtration system for sand level, mushroom, gasket damage, filter element damage etc. | Annual (usually after mansoon) |
| 12 | Checking of Air Valve, NRV, Pressure gauges | Annual (usually after mansoon) |
| 13 | Pump Maintenance | Annual (usually after mansoon) |
| 14 | Acid Cleaning of the system | Annual or earlier depending on the water condition |
| 15 | Chlorine Treatment | Annual or earlier depending on the water condition |
The pre-season maintenance includes the maintenance of the pump & the total system after monsoon.
Checking of Pump
- The pump should be serviced properly ( Greasing & oiling)
- The water inlet of pump should be cleaned properly
- The position of pump should be firm weather in the water (for submersible) or above the water ( Monoblock pump)
- The cabling should be checked properly for open wire & proper connections
- The performance of the pump (Pressure & flow) should be checked for proper operation.
Filteration Check Up
- All Hydrocyclone, Sand Filter & Screen or disc Filters should be checked for rubber gasket & nut bolts
- The gravel filter should be checked for level of sand, conditions of mushrooms
- The elements of screen or disc filter should be checked for any damage
- The pressure guage, vaccum & air valves, NRV should be checked
- The ventuary or fertigation tank connection to be checked
- The total system to be checked for leakage
Other maintenance
- Flushing of main & sub line with pressure
- Section wise flushing of drip lines & laterals in the field
- Checking the total system for leakage if any
- Ensure acid treatment & chlorination after laying & starting of the system
- All PVC main & submain should be laid underground
- Sandeep Deshpande
AGM- Sales & Marketing
M:+919307309580