advance ratio (AR) advance time (minutes, sec) alkaline (alkali)

allowable depletion (in., mm)

allowable stress factor

alternative agriculture application efficiency application rate area (in.2, ft2, acres, ha)

atmospheric pressure

available soil moisture

available water holding capacity available water storage capacity available water

back flow

back flush

back pressure

back siphonage basic intake rate best management practice

bio-organic agriculture

Blaney-Criddle Method branch line bud capillary action capillary flow capillary migration capillary radius capillary water

carryover soil moisture

cavitation

chemigation

clogging coefficient of retardation coefficient

cohesion compensating dripper

compost

continuous flushing dripper continuous-flow irrigation

controller

conveyance loss crop coefficient crop evapotranspiration crop rooting depth

crop water requirements

crop water stress index

crop water use cumulative intake deep percolation

deep percolation percentage

deficit irrigation delivery loss density factor

density of water depth of irrigation discharge distribution uniformity

drip irrigation

drip lateral/ line

dripper

dry weight dynamic pressure effective precipitation effective rainfall efficiency effluent irrigation

electrical conductivity

emission point

emission uniformity

emitter evaporation

evapotranspiration Fertigation fertilizer

field capacity

filter

final infiltration flood irrigation flow rate flushing dripper

flushing velocity

frequency distribution

friction factor, Christiansen

friction loss

friction loss

frost protection

furrow irrigation

gpm gravitational water gravity irrigation

gray water growing season (days) head hectare high density polyethylene hydraulic conductivity hydrozone hygroscopic water ID infiltration infiltration rate infiltrometer injectors in-line emitter in-line valve in-line-drippers intake rate intake rate of soil

intake, initial

integral emitter interflow irrecoverable water loss

irrigable area

irrigation

irrigation audit

irrigation best management practice irrigation design irrigation efficiency irrigation frequency irrigation interval irrigation period

irrigation schedule

irrigation schedule irrigation scheduling irrigation set irrigation set time irrigation slope irrigation system

irrigation water requirement

lateral lateral friction factor lateral movement leaching length LEPA limited irrigation line source line source dripper line source emitter long-path dripper long-path emitter looped circuit

Low Energy Precision Application

main/ mainline manifold

manufacturer's coefficient of variation

micro sprinkler

microclimate factor microirrigation mist irrigation moisture deficit, soil moisture depletion moisture sensor multi-outlet dripper net irrigation non-pressure compensating dripper nozzle number of outlets Nutrigation

online emitter

organic agriculture

peak use rate

permanent wilting point

permeability pesticide Piston flow Plant available water Plant water requirement (PWR)

Plug flow Polyethylene Potential Potential evapotranspiration Precipitation rate

Pressure compensating

Pressure compensating dripper

Pressure regulator

Pressure

Pressure-compensated emitters PSI

Regulated deficit irrigation

Relative humidity Relay

Root depth

Root zone Root zone available water

Root zone depth Run time Saline soil Saturation of soil

Schedule

Scheduling program

Scheduling

Set time

Soil

Soil electrical conductivity

Soil fertility

Soil moisture (water) depletion Soil reservoir capacity (SRC) Spacing Spray irrigation Static pressure Sub main

Sub-irrigation

Subsurface drip irrigation

surface irrigation surge pressure

sustainable agriculture

system capacity

texture total water holding capacity (TWHC) transpiration trickle irrigation trickler turbulent flow turgid uniformity coefficient uniformity coefficient irrigation usable precipitation

uses, consumptive

valve velocity

water allotment water application efficiency water holding capacity water meter water pressure water requirement

water source

water storage efficiency water storage efficiency water window wetted area wilting point (WP) winterization working pressure yield monitoring zone

Ratio of the time for the water to reach the end of the field to the total set time for an irrigation set on a furrow irrigation system. The ratio should be less than 0.5 to have good distribution uniformity. Time required for a given surface irrigation stream to move from one point in the field to another. With relevance to agriculture, soil or water that contains substances that raise the pH value above 7.0 (neutral). That part of soil moisture stored in the plant root zone managed for use by plants, usually expressed as equivalent depth of water in acre inches per acre, or inches. Coefficient used to modify reference evapotranspiration to reflect the water use of a particular plant or group of plants particularly with reference to the water stress. see coefficient A systematic approach to farming intended to reduce agricultural pollution, enhance sustainability, and improve efficiency and profitability. see bio-organic agriculture or sustainable agriculture application efficiency: see efficiency application rate: see precipitation rate

In irrigation, usually used to describe a surface of land or cross section of pipe. Area units in common use: Acre = 4,046.8564 m2 or 0.40468564 hectares. Hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2 or 2.4710538 acres. Dunam = 1,000 m2 or 0.1 hectare or 0.24710538 acres. Absolute pressure measured at any location. Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 1 bar (1000 millibar), 14.7 psi or 34.0 ft of water. Available soil moisture is the difference in water content of the soil between field capacity and permanent wilting point. This is the soil water that is available for plants to use. By definition, it should be expressed as a percentage, or as a depth in millimeters per meter of soil, because the amount of water available to plants depends on this value and the root depths. same as water holding capacity preferred term is available water preferred term is available water Portion of water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots. Any unwanted flow of used or non-potable water or substance from any domestic, industrial or institutional piping system into the pure, potable water distribution system. The direction of flow under these conditions is in the reverse direction from that intended by the system and normally assumed by the owner of the system. The processes of flowing pressurized water backwards through a filter to remove trapped debris and restore the filtration system for ongoing use.

Increase of pressure in the downstream piping system above the supply pressure at the point of consideration which would cause, or tend to cause, a reversal of the normal direction of flow. Reversal of flow (backflow) due to a reduction in system pressure which causes a negative or subatmospheric pressure to exist at a site in the water system. basic intake rate: see intake rate best management practice: see irrigation best management practice Bio-Organic Agriculture is a holistic production management system, which promotes and enhances agroecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. see alternatice agriculture or sustainable agriculture Air temperature based method to estimate crop evapotranspiration. Polyethylene tubing that attaches to the mainline to bring water to a plant or to an area of a zone. see sub main A bud is a developing part of a plant that will grow into a flower, a new leaf or a stem. The movement of water in the interstices of a porous medium due to capillary forces. Same as capillary flow and capillary migration. capillary flow: see capillary action capillary migration: see capillary action Additional wetted radius in soil profile beyond surface wetted radius for point source emitters. Water held in the capillary, or small pores of the soil, usually with soil water pressure (tension) greater than 1/3 bar. Capillary water can move in any direction.

Moisture stored in the soil within the root zone during the winter, at times when the crop is dormant, or before the crop is planted. This moisture is available to help meet water needs of the next crop to be grown. Process where pressure in the suction line falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid, vapor is formed and moves with the liquid flow. These vapor bubbles or "cavities" collapse when they reach regions of higher pressure on their way through pumps. Application of chemicals (including fertilizers) to crops through an irrigation system by mixing them with the irrigation water. see: Nurigation or Fertigation Full or partial blocking of drip emitters by silt or other suspended solid matter. As a result of clogging the discharge rate of the emitter is reduced or completely zero. Values describing the hydraulic frictional characteristics of a pipe material. Various forms of "k" are used to describe constants, coefficients and factors.

Attraction of like substances to one another. In soils, it is the process that forms a film of water around soil solids. compensating dripper: see dripper Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. It is used in agriculture, horticulture and landscaping as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover. continuous flushing dripper: see dripper

System of irrigation water delivery where each irrigator receives the allotted quantity of water continuously. An automatic timing device that sends an electric signal for automatic valves to open or close according to a set irrigation schedule. Loss of water from a channel or pipe during transport, including losses due to seepage, leakage, evaporation, and transpiration by plants growing in or near the channel. crop coefficient: see coefficient crop evapotranspiration: see evapotranspiration crop rooting depth: see root zone The total water needed for evapotranspiration, from planting to harvest for a given crop in a specific climate regime, when adequate soil water is maintained by rainfall and/ or irrigation so that it does not limit plant growth and crop yield. Index of moisture in a plant compared to a fully watered plant, measured and calculated by a CWSI instrument. Relative humidity, solar radiation, ambient air temperature, and plant canopy temperature are measured. crop water use: same as plant water requirement and evapotranspiration. Depth of water absorbed by soil from the time of initial water application to the specified elapsed time.

Movement of water downward through the soil profile below the root zone that cannot be used by plants. Ratio of the average depth of irrigation water infiltrated and drained out of the root zone to the average depth of irrigation water applied. Irrigation water management alternative where the soil in the plant root zone is not refilled to field capacity in all or part of the field. see regulated deficit irrigation delivery loss: preferred term is conveyance loss density factor: see coefficient

Mass of water per unit volume. Depth of soil affected by an irrigation event. The volume of water that passes a given point within a given period of time. It is an all-inclusive outflow term, describing a variety of flows. Such as from a pipe to an emitter. Measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over an area.

An acknowledged irrigation method which minimizes the use of water and fertilizer allowing water to drip slowly and precisely to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or sub surface - directly onto the root zone. Drip irrigation is a low-pressure method of irrigation through a network of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters allowing less water loss due to evaporation. Also known as trickle irrigation or microirrigation The water delivery pipeline or polyethylene pipe that supplies water to the emitters from the main lines or sub-mains. Small micro-irrigation dispensing device designed to dissipate pressure and discharge a small uniform flow or trickle of water at a constant discharge, which does not vary significantly because of minor differences in pressure head. also known as emitter or trickler. Oven dry weight of a soil sample. Measure of water pressure with the water in motion. also known as working pressure. Portion of total precipitation which becomes available for plant growth. Portion of total rainfall which becomes available for plant growth. application efficiency (Ea, AE) Ratio of the average depth of the irrigation water stored in the root zone to the average depth of irrigation water applied. Land application of treated wastewater for irrigation and beneficial use of nutrients. Electrical conductivity is the property of a material to conduct electricity. The ease with which electrical conductivity passes through water is proportional to the salt concentration in the water. Therefore, the higher the EC, the greater the salt concentration is. It is an indirect measure of soil salinity. The electrical conductivity is commonly expressed as deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) and milliSiemens per centimeter (mS/cm). see soil electrical conductivity Location where water is discharged from a dripper. Index of the uniformity of dripper discharge rates throughout a micro-irrigation system. Takes account of both variations in drippers and variations in the pressure under which the drippers operate. emitter: see dripper emitter: see dripper

Water movement from a wet soil or plant surface which does not pass through the plant.see transpiration

Combination of water transpired from vegetation and evaporated from the soil and plant surfaces. Application of plant nutrients through an irrigation system. also known as Nurigation Any of a large number of natural or synthetic materials, including manure and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds, spread on or worked into soil to increase its fertility. The maximum amount of water that a soil can hold indefinitely against gravity. Put another way it is the amount of water left in the soil after all the free water has had a chance to drain out through the force of gravity.

A component used to remove particles from the water that might otherwise plug up your emitters. The size of the filter screen is expressed as mesh, with larger numbers denoting smaller openings in the screen. In drip irrigation, the range of size is from 80 to 200 mesh according to the water quality and type of dripper. final infiltration rate: see intake rate The application of irrigation water in which the entire soil surface is covered by ponded water. see surface irrigation Rate of flow or volume per unit period of time. Dripper designed to have flushing flow of water to clear the discharge opening every time the system is turned on.

For proper flushing to occur, the discharge velocity must be high enough to both dislodge and transport particulate matter from the pipelines. In general, flushing velocity should be as high as possible, but never less than 1fps. Higher flushing velocities will aid particle removal and shorten the flushing time needed. Measurement and presentation of various fractions of total water applied for selected depth ranges referenced to average depth applied. Friction factor or coefficient used in the Christiansen Procedure to determine pressure loss in a multiple outlet piping system. see lateral friction factor As water moves through tubing, pressure is lost due to friction in the line. A drop in pressure lowers the output of some (non-pressure compensating) emitters or sprayers at the end of the line. Friction loss can increase if the tubing goes up hill or decrease if it goes down hill. To decrease friction, a larger size of tubing can be used. As water moves through an irrigation system, pressure is lost because of turbulence created by the moving water. This turbulence can be created in pipes, valves or fittings. These losses are referred to as friction losses.

Applying irrigation water to affect air temperature, humidity, and dew point to protect plant tissue from freezing. The primary source of heat occurs when water turns to ice, thus protecting sensitive plant tissue.

A partial surface-flooding method of irrigation, normally used with clean-tilled crops in which water is applied in furrows or rows of sufficient capacity to contain the design irrigation stream.see surface irrigation Acronym for gallons per minute. see flow rate. Soil water that moves into, through, or out of the soil under the influence of gravity. An irrigation method in which water is not pumped, but flows in ditches or pipes and is distributed by gravity. also known as gravitational irrigation see surface irrigation Domestic wastewater other than those containing human excreta such as sink drainage, washing machine discharge, or bath water. Period, often the frost-free period, during which the climate is such that crops can be produced. head (H) (ft, m) atmospheric pressure (head) (Ha) Value of atmospheric pressure at a specific location and condition. hectare (ha): see area One of several forms of polyethylene used to make pipe and other irrigation components. Soil-water characteristic describing the ability of water to flow through a particular soil. Grouping of plants with similar water requirements so that they can be irrigated with a common zone. Water that is tightly held by soil particles. It does not move with the influence of capillary action or gravity, and it is normally unavailable to plants. Abbreviation for inside diameter, usually of a pipe. Process of water movement through the soil surface into the soil matrix. see intake rate Preferred term is intake rate. Device used to measure the infiltration rate / intake rate of water into soil. Devices to put (inject) fertilizer (as well as pesticides if so desired) into the water of a system. Drip emitters that are connected to each other by segments of polyethylene to form the required drip line. Usually available in various combinations of operating pressure, discharge rate and diameter. Valve placed into the system to allow one part of the system to be turned off. Valuable for flexibility. Tubing with the drippers (emitters) built into the tubing at set spacings. Rate at which water percolates into the soil after infiltration has decreased to a low and nearly constant value. Rate that (irrigation) water enters the soil at the surface.

Depth (rate) of water absorbed by a soil during the period of rapid or comparatively rapid intake following initial application. Drip emitters welded to the inner tube as part of the tubing flow path. Usually available in pre-set emitter spacing (depending on the crop), wall thickness, operating pressure and discharge rate. Lateral movement of water in the upper layer of soil. Water loss that becomes unavailable for reuse through evaporation, phreatophytic transpiration, or groundwater recharge that is not economically recoverable. Area capable of being irrigated, principally based on availability of water, suitable soils, and topography of land. Became from two Latin words 'in' and 'rigare' which means 'to water'. In other terms irrigation is the artificial watering of the land for the purpose of growing crops. Procedure to collect and present information concerning the uniformity of application, precipitation rate, and general condition of an irrigation system and its components. The voluntary irrigation practice that is both economical and practical and is designed to reduce water consumption and protect water quality while maintaining a healthy, functional landscape. Plan of an irrigation system with pipe sizing, head layout and valve location. irrigation efficiency: see efficiency Measure of the number of irrigations per unit time. Average time interval between the commencement of successive irrigations for a given field or area. Time that it takes to apply one irrigation to a given design area during the peak consumptive-use period of the crop being irrigated. Determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply, based upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant. Determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply, based upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant. irrigation scheduling: see schedule or scheduling Area irrigated at one time within a field. irrigation set time: see set time Elevation difference along the direction of irrigation. Sometimes called irrigation grade. Set of components which includes (may include) the water source, water distribution network, control components and possibly other general irrigation equipment.

irrigation water requirement (IWR) (in., mm) Calculated amount of water needed to replace soil water used by the crop (soil water deficit), for leaching undesirable elements through and below the plant root zone, plus other needs; after considerations are made for effective precipitation. same as gross irrigation requirement Water delivery pipeline that supplies irrigation water from the main line to sprinklers or emitters. lateral friction factor: see friction factor lateral movement: see interflow Removal of soluble material from soil or other permeable material by the passage of water through it. Linear dimension used to describe the quantity/ amount/ distance of pipe, conductor or similar material in various equations. Acronym for Low Energy Precision Application. Management of irrigation applications to apply less than enough water to satisfy the soil water deficiency in the entire root zone. Sometimes called " deficit" or "stress irrigation". Continuous source of water emitted along a line. Water is discharged from closely spaced perforations or a porous wall along the tubing. line source emitter: see emitter Dripper which employs a long capillary sized tube or channel to dissipate pressure. long-path emitter: see emitter Piping system, usually a main line that closes back on itself in a loop, thus providing water to any location from two routes. A water, soil, and plant management regime where precision down-in-crop applications of water are made on the soil surface at the point of use. Application devices are located in the crop canopy on drop tubes mounted on low pressure center pivot and linear move sprinkler irrigation systems. Pipe which supplies water from the point of connection to the control valves. Pipeline that supplies water to the laterals. Measure of the variability of discharge of a random sample of a given make, model, and size of microirrigation emitter, as produced by the manufacturer and before any field operation or aging has taken place; equal to the ratio of the standard deviation of the discharge of the emitters to the mean discharge of the emitters. A spinner type watering device that is available in a variety of styles and configurations and like drip emitters, operate at low-pressure.

Factor or coefficient used to adjust reference evapotranspiration to reflect the microclimate of an area. microirrigation: see drip irrigation Method of micro-irrigation in which water is applied in very small droplets. Difference between actual soil moisture and soil moisture held in the soil at field capacity. Device that monitors or measures soil water content of tension. Device which supplies water to two or more points through small diameter auxiliary tubing. irrigation: see irrigation water requirement

Dripper designed with a fixed orifice or other components and contains no pressure compensating features. Final orifice through which water passes from the emitter to the atmosphere. Term used to describe the number of outlets in a lateral. Application of plant nutrients through an irrigation system. A term that is co-registered as a trade mark by Netafim Ltd. and Haifa Chemicals Ltd. also known as fertigation

An individual drip emitter which is connected through the walls of the polyethylene pipe to form the drip line.

A holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including bio-diversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, wherever possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system. Maximum rate at which a crop uses water. Moisture content, on a dry weight basis, at which plants can no longer obtain sufficient moisture from the soil to satisfy water requirement. Plants will not fully recover when water is added to the crop root zone once permanent wilting point has been experienced. Classically, 15 atmospheres (15 bars), soil moisture tension is used to estimate PWP.

Qualitatively, the ease with which gases, liquids, or plant roots penetrate or pass through a layer of soil. Chemical agent used to control specific organisms. Includes insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Purely advective flow without dispersion or diffusion of the dissolved components. see plug flow Available water located in the root zone. same as root zone available water see crop evapotranspiration

plug flow: see piston flow Flexible plastic material used to make irrigation pipe and other items. Rate at which water, if available, would be removed from soil and plant surfaces. potential evapotranspiration: see evapotranspiration Rate (in./h, mm/h) at which a sprinkler system applies water to a given area.

Usually applied to drippers. Engineered to deliver a uniform flow rate even if the incoming pressure varies. Describes an emitter or sprayer that delivers a consistent amount of water over a specified range of pressures. This is useful in situations where the tubing runs are long or the terrain the tubing runs over is hilly. As a general rule, pressure compensating emitter tubing operates in the range of 10 to 50 PSI.

Dripper designed to discharge water at a near constant rate over a wide range of lateral line pressures. Lowers water pressure to a pre-set level that is appropriate for a drip system. Must be physically higher than any emitter placed downstream. The force exerted over a surface divided by its area (Webster) In irrigation, pressure usually describes the amount of energy available to move water through a pipe, sprinkler or emitter. Drip emitters that have a special mechanism that can maintain a uniform discharge rate in spite of great variations of water pressure. Acronym for pounds per square inch. see pressure RDI strategies allow a certain degree of water stress in periods when the crop is less sensitive to water deficit such as periods of lower temperatures and minimum plant growth. By applying these irrigation strategies, maximum yield can still be reached, while the amount of water applied is reduced. see deficit irrigation Ratio of the amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere to the amount required for saturation at the same dry bulb temperature. Electrical or electronic device which uses a signal current to actuate a separate electrical circuit. Depth from which roots extract water. The effective rooting depth is generally the depth from which the crop is currently capable of extracting soil water. However, it may also be expressed as the depth from which the crop can extract water when mature or the depth from which a future crop can extract soil water. Maximum effective root depth depends on the rooting capability of the plant, soil profile characteristics, and moisture levels in the soil profile Area of the soil from which the crop roots extract water and nutrients. see plant available water

root zone depth: see root zone and root depth Length of time to operate an irrigation system or an individual zone. Soil that has sufficient soluble salts to interfere with crop growth. Condition where all soil pores/ voids are filled with water.

Method of specifying the dimensions and thus the allowable operating pressure of pipe. For a specific schedule rating, the wall thickness remains relatively constant for different pipe diameters, resulting in lower allowable operating pressures for larger diameter pipe. schedule, irrigation. see irrigation schedule Set of specifications identifying times to turn on and off water to various zones of an irrigation system. Determining timing of irrigations during the growing season and quantity of water to be applied based upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant. Disease potential must be considered. Amount of time required to apply a specific amount of water during one set of irrigation to a given area, typically refilling the plant root zone to field capacity minus expected rainfall. Unconsolidated minerals and material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of plants. The electrical conductivity (EC) of a saturated soil paste extract (ECe) is the standard soil salinity measurement used to assess plant salt tolerance. see electrical conductivity

Fertility of soil is its characteristics that supports abundant plant life. Fertile soil has the following properties: It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nutrition, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It contains sufficient minerals (trace elements) for plant nutrition, including boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulfur, and zinc. It contains soil organic matter that improves soil structure and soil moisture retention. Soil pH is in the range 6.0 to 6.8. Good soil structure, creating well drained soil. A range of microorganisms that support plant growth. It often contains large amounts of topsoil. Difference between field capacity and the actual soil moisture in the root zone soil at any given time. It is the amount of water required to bring the soil in the root zone to field capacity. soil reservoir capacity(in., mm): preferred term plant available water The space between two drippers or emitters. It depends on the type of crop and the emitter flow rates. Application of water by a small spray or mist to the soil surface, where travel through the air becomes instrumental in the distribution of water. Water pressure when the water is at rest. The pipeline that supplies water from the main to the laterals in an irrigation system. see branch line

Application of irrigation water below the ground surface by raising the water table to within or near the root zone. Application of water below the soil surface through drippers, with discharge rates generally in the same range as drip irrigation. The method of water application is different and is not to be confused with subirrigation where the root zone is irrigated by water table control. Irrigation by means of flood, furrow, or gravity. see flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, or gravity irrigation Water pressure caused by changes in water velocity in a pipe system. Sustainable agriculture should involve successful management of resources for agriculture to satisfy changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing quality of the environment and conserving natural resources. see alternative agriculture or bio-organic agriculture Ability of an irrigation system to deliver the net required rate and volume of water necessary to meet crop water needs plus any losses during the application process. Crop water needs can include soil moisture storage for later plant use, leaching of toxic elements from the soil, air temperature modification, crop quality, and other plant needs. Relative proportions of the various soil separate in a soil as described by the classes of soil texture. total water holding capacity (TWHC) (in., mm): preferred term is plant available water Liquid movement of water from the soil, into the roots, up the plant stems, and finally out of the plant leaves into the air as vapor. see evapotranspiration trickle irrigation: see drip irrigation trickler: see dripper Flow in which the fluid particles move in an irregular random manner, in which the head loss is approximately proportional to the second power of velocity. State of a plant cell when the cell wall is rigid due to the hydrostatic pressure of liquid in the cell. Measure of the uniformity of irrigation water application. The average depth of irrigation water infiltrated minus the average absolute deviation from this depth, all divided by the average depth infiltrated. Characteristic of the aerial distribution of water in a field as the result of irrigation. usable precipitation: see effective precipitation Total amount of water taken up by vegetation for transpiration or building of plant tissue, plus the unavoidable evaporation of soil moisture, snow, and intercepted precipitation associated with vegetal growth. A device that controls flow with a system. Velocity is the speed at which water moves through the system (pipe).

A method to accurately and fairly estimate a total volume of water that should be allocated to a site. water application efficiency: see efficiency soil moisture content in the root zone between soil moisture at field capacity and soil moisture at wilting point. also known as available soil moisture Device used to measure to flow of water. water pressure: see pressure water requirement: see irrigation water requirement The water source is where the water comes from. This can be a municipal system, a well, a pond, an irrigation ditch, a barrel or wherever the water comes from. Usually city and well water are easy to filter for drip irrigation systems. Pond, ditch and some well water have special filtering needs. The quality of the water source will dictate the type of filter necessary for your system. Sand, silt, minerals, organic matter and rust bacteria are specific concerns. water storage efficiency: see efficiency Ratio of the amount of water stored in the root zone during irrigation to the amount of water needed to fill the root zone to field capacity. Time of day available for irrigation to occur. Surface area wetted at completion of irrigation. wilting point (WP): see permanent wilting point Process of removing water from the irrigation system before the onset of freezing temperatures. Pressure of the irrigation system during operating. Regular intervals where a harvested weight can be obtained along with a GPS reading. Section of an irrigation system served by a single control valve. Zones are comprised of similar sprinkler types and plant material types with similar water requirements and types

Ramal?

Linea de riego por goteo

Tubera de distribucin principal Colector?

conducto secundario, ramal

advance ratio (AR) Ratio of the time for the water to reach the end of the field to the total set time for an irrigation set on a furrow irrigation system advance time (minutes, sec)
Time required for a given surface irrigation stream to move from one point in the field to another.

alkaline (alkali) With relevance to agriculture, soil or water that contains substances that raise the pH value above 7.0 (neutral). allowable depletion (in., mm) That part of soil moisture stored in the plant root zone managed for use by plants, usually expressed as equivalent depth of wa allowable stress factor Coefficient used to modify reference evapotranspiration to reflect the water use of a particular plant or group of plants particula see coefficient alternative agriculture A systematic approach to farming intended to reduce agricultural pollution, enhance sustainability, and improve efficiency and application efficiency application efficiency: see efficiency application rate application rate: see precipitation rate area (in.2, ft2, acres, ha) In irrigation, usually used to describe a surface of land or cross section of pipe. Area units in common use: Acre = 4,046.8564 m2 or 0.40468564 hectares. Hectare (ha) = 10,000 m2 or 2.4710538 acres. Dunam = 1,000 m2 or 0.1 hectare or 0.24710538 acres. Click here to download file

atmospheric pressure Absolute pressure measured at any location. Standard atmospheric pressure at sea level is defined as 1 bar (1000 millibar), 1 available soil moisture Available soil moisture is the difference in water content of the soil between field capacity and permanent wilting point. This is available water holding capacity preferred term is available water available water storage capacity preferred term is available water available water Portion of water in a soil that can be readily absorbed by plant roots. Top

B
back flow

Any unwanted flow of used or non-potable water or substance from any domestic, industrial or institutional piping system into the pure, potable water distribut

back flush The processes of flowing pressurized water backwards through a filter to remove trapped debris and restore the filtration syste back pressure Increase of pressure in the downstream piping system above the supply pressure at the point of consideration which would ca back siphonage Reversal of flow (backflow) due to a reduction in system pressure which causes a negative or sub-atmospheric pressure to ex basic intake rate basic intake rate: see intake rate best management practice best management practice: see irrigation best management practice bio-organic agriculture Bio-Organic Agriculture is a holistic production management system, which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, in

Blaney-Criddle Method Air temperature based method to estimate crop evapotranspiration. branch line Polyethylene tubing that attaches to the mainline to bring water to a plant or to an area of a zone. see sub main bud A bud is a developing part of a plant that will grow into a flower, a new leaf or a stem. Top

capillary action The movement of water in the interstices of a porous medium due to capillary forces. Same as capillary flow and capillary migr capillary flow capillary flow: see capillary action capillary migration capillary migration: see capillary action capillary radius Additional wetted radius in soil profile beyond surface wetted radius for point source emitters. capillary water Water held in the capillary, or small pores of the soil, usually with soil water pressure (tension) greater than 1/3 bar. Capillary w carryover soil moisture Moisture stored in the soil within the root zone during the winter, at times when the crop is dormant, or before the crop is plante cavitation Process where pressure in the suction line falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid, vapor is formed and moves with the liqu chemigation Application of chemicals (including fertilizers) to crops through an irrigation system by mixing them with the irrigation water. see clogging Full or partial blocking of drip emitters by silt or other suspended solid matter. As a result of clogging the discharge rate of the coefficient of retardation Values describing the hydraulic frictional characteristics of a pipe material. coefficient Various forms of "k" are used to describe constants, coefficients and factors. click here to download file cohesion Attraction of like substances to one another. In soils, it is the process that forms a film of water around soil solids. compensating dripper compensating dripper: see dripper compost Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic matter. It is used in agriculture, horticulture and landscaping as a continuous flushing dripper continuous flushing dripper: see dripper continuous-flow irrigation System of irrigation water delivery where each irrigator receives the allotted quantity of water continuously. controller An automatic timing device that sends an electric signal for automatic valves to open or close according to a set irrigation sche conveyance loss Loss of water from a channel or pipe during transport, including losses due to seepage, leakage, evaporation, and transpiratio crop coefficient crop coefficient: see coefficient crop evapotranspiration crop evapotranspiration: see evapotranspiration crop rooting depth

crop rooting depth: see root zone crop water requirements The total water needed for evapotranspiration, from planting to harvest for a given crop in a specific climate regime, when ade crop water stress index Index of moisture in a plant compared to a fully watered plant, measured and calculated by a CWSI instrument. Relative humid crop water use crop water use: same as plant water requirement and evapotranspiration. cumulative intake Depth of water absorbed by soil from the time of initial water application to the specified elapsed time. Top

deep percolation Movement of water downward through the soil profile below the root zone that cannot be used by plants. deep percolation percentage Ratio of the average depth of irrigation water infiltrated and drained out of the root zone to the average depth of irrigation wate deficit irrigation Irrigation water management alternative where the soil in the plant root zone is not refilled to field capacity in all or part of the f delivery loss delivery loss: preferred term is conveyance loss density factor density factor: see coefficient density of water Mass of water per unit volume. depth of irrigation Depth of soil affected by an irrigation event. discharge The volume of water that passes a given point within a given period of time. It is an all-inclusive outflow term, describing a vari distribution uniformity Measure of the uniformity of irrigation water over an area. drip irrigation An acknowledged irrigation method which minimizes the use of water and fertilizer allowing water to drip slowly and precisely t drip lateral/ line The water delivery pipeline or polyethylene pipe that supplies water to the emitters from the main lines or sub-mains. dripper Small micro-irrigation dispensing device designed to dissipate pressure and discharge a small uniform flow or trickle of water a click here to download file dry weight Oven dry weight of a soil sample. dynamic pressure Measure of water pressure with the water in motion. also known as working pressure. Top

effective precipitation Portion of total precipitation which becomes available for plant growth. effective rainfall Portion of total rainfall which becomes available for plant growth. efficiency application efficiency (Ea, AE) Ratio of the average depth of the irrigation water stored in the root zone to the average depth o click here to download file

effluent irrigation Land application of treated wastewater for irrigation and beneficial use of nutrients. electrical conductivity Electrical conductivity is the property of a material to conduct electricity. The ease with which electrical conductivity passes thr emission point Location where water is discharged from a dripper. emission uniformity Index of the uniformity of dripper discharge rates throughout a micro-irrigation system. Takes account of both variations in drip emitter emitter: see dripper evaporation Water movement from a wet soil or plant surface which does not pass through the plant.see transpiration click here to download file evapotranspiration Combination of water transpired from vegetation and evaporated from the soil and plant surfaces. Top

Fertigation Application of plant nutrients through an irrigation system. also known as Nurigation fertilizer Any of a large number of natural or synthetic materials, including manure and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compound field capacity The maximum amount of water that a soil can hold indefinitely against gravity. Put another way it is the amount of water left in filter A component used to remove particles from the water that might otherwise plug up your emitters. The size of the filter screen i final infiltration final infiltration rate: see intake rate flood irrigation The application of irrigation water in which the entire soil surface is covered by ponded water. see surface irrigation flow rate Rate of flow or volume per unit period of time. flushing dripper Dripper designed to have flushing flow of water to clear the discharge opening every time the system is turned on. flushing velocity For proper flushing to occur, the discharge velocity must be high enough to both dislodge and transport particulate matter from frequency distribution Measurement and presentation of various fractions of total water applied for selected depth ranges referenced to average dep friction factor, Christiansen Friction factor or coefficient used in the Christiansen Procedure to determine pressure loss in a multiple outlet piping system. s friction loss As water moves through tubing, pressure is lost due to friction in the line. A drop in pressure lowers the output of some (non-p friction loss As water moves through an irrigation system, pressure is lost because of turbulence created by the moving water. This turbule frost protection Applying irrigation water to affect air temperature, humidity, and dew point to protect plant tissue from freezing. The primary so furrow irrigation A partial surface-flooding method of irrigation, normally used with clean-tilled crops in which water is applied in furrows or rows Top

gpm Acronym for gallons per minute. see flow rate. gravitational water Soil water that moves into, through, or out of the soil under the influence of gravity. gravity irrigation> An irrigation method in which water is not pumped, but flows in ditches or pipes and is distributed by gravity. also known as gra gray water Domestic wastewater other than those containing human excreta such as sink drainage, washing machine discharge, or bath growing season (days) Period, often the frost-free period, during which the climate is such that crops can be produced. Top

head head (H) (ft, m) atmospheric pressure (head) (Ha) Value of atmospheric pressure at a specific location and condition. click here to download file hectare hectare (ha): see area high density polyethylene One of several forms of polyethylene used to make pipe and other irrigation components. hydraulic conductivity Soil-water characteristic describing the ability of water to flow through a particular soil. hydrozone Grouping of plants with similar water requirements so that they can be irrigated with a common zone. hygroscopic water Water that is tightly held by soil particles. It does not move with the influence of capillary action or gravity, and it is normally un Top

I
ID Abbreviation for inside diameter, usually of a pipe.

infiltration Process of water movement through the soil surface into the soil matrix. see intake rate infiltration rate Preferred term is intake rate. infiltrometer Device used to measure the infiltration rate / intake rate of water into soil. injectors Devices to put (inject) fertilizer (as well as pesticides if so desired) into the water of a system. in-line emitter Drip emitters that are connected to each other by segments of polyethylene to form the required drip line. Usually available in v in-line valve Valve placed into the system to allow one part of the system to be turned off. Valuable for flexibility. in-line-drippers Tubing with the drippers (emitters) built into the tubing at set spacings. intake rate Rate at which water percolates into the soil after infiltration has decreased to a low and nearly constant value. intake rate of soil Rate that (irrigation) water enters the soil at the surface. intake, initial

Depth (rate) of water absorbed by a soil during the period of rapid or comparatively rapid intake following initial application. integral emitter Drip emitters welded to the inner tube as part of the tubing flow path. Usually available in pre-set emitter spacing (depending o interflow Lateral movement of water in the upper layer of soil. irrecoverable water loss Water loss that becomes unavailable for reuse through evaporation, phreatophytic transpiration, or ground-water recharge tha irrigable area Area capable of being irrigated, principally based on availability of water, suitable soils, and topography of land. irrigation Became from two Latin words 'in' and 'rigare' which means 'to water'. In other terms irrigation is the artificial watering of the lan irrigation audit Procedure to collect and present information concerning the uniformity of application, precipitation rate, and general condition irrigation best management practice The voluntary irrigation practice that is both economical and practical and is designed to reduce water consumption and protec

irrigation design Plan of an irrigation system with pipe sizing, head layout and valve location. irrigation efficiency irrigation efficiency: see efficiency irrigation frequency Measure of the number of irrigations per unit time. irrigation interval Average time interval between the commencement of successive irrigations for a given field or area. irrigation period Time that it takes to apply one irrigation to a given design area during the peak consumptive-use period of the crop being irriga irrigation schedule Determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply, based upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop w irrigation schedule Determining when to irrigate and how much water to apply, based upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop w irrigation scheduling irrigation scheduling: see schedule or scheduling irrigation set Area irrigated at one time within a field. irrigation set time irrigation set time: see set time irrigation slope Elevation difference along the direction of irrigation. Sometimes called irrigation grade. irrigation system Set of components which includes (may include) the water source, water distribution network, control components and possibl irrigation water requirement irrigation water requirement (IWR) (in., mm) Calculated amount of water needed to replace soil water used by the crop (soil wa click here to download file

Top

L
lateral Water delivery pipeline that supplies irrigation water from the main line to sprinklers or emitters. lateral friction factor

lateral friction factor: see friction factor lateral movement lateral movement: see interflow leaching Removal of soluble material from soil or other permeable material by the passage of water through it. length Linear dimension used to describe the quantity/ amount/ distance of pipe, conductor or similar material in various equations. LEPA Acronym for Low Energy Precision Application. limited irrigation Management of irrigation applications to apply less than enough water to satisfy the soil water deficiency in the entire root zon line source Continuous source of water emitted along a line. line source dripper Water is discharged from closely spaced perforations or a porous wall along the tubing. line source emitter line source emitter: see emitter long-path dripper Dripper which employs a long capillary sized tube or channel to dissipate pressure. long-path emitter long-path emitter: see emitter looped circuit Piping system, usually a main line that closes back on itself in a loop, thus providing water to any location from two routes. Low Energy Precision Application A water, soil, and plant management regime where precision down-in-crop applications of water are made on the soil surface a Top

main/ mainline Pipe which supplies water from the point of connection to the control valves. manifold Pipeline that supplies water to the laterals. manufacturer's coefficient of variation Measure of the variability of discharge of a random sample of a given make, model, and size of micro-irrigation emitter, as pro micro sprinkler A spinner type watering device that is available in a variety of styles and configurations and like drip emitters, operate at low-p microclimate factor Factor or coefficient used to adjust reference evapotranspiration to reflect the microclimate of an area. microirrigation microirrigation: see drip irrigation mist irrigation Method of micro-irrigation in which water is applied in very small droplets. moisture deficit, soil moisture depletion Difference between actual soil moisture and soil moisture held in the soil at field capacity. moisture sensor Device that monitors or measures soil water content of tension. multi-outlet dripper Device which supplies water to two or more points through small diameter auxiliary tubing. Top

net irrigation irrigation: see irrigation water requirement non-pressure compensating dripper Dripper designed with a fixed orifice or other components and contains no pressure compensating features. nozzle Final orifice through which water passes from the emitter to the atmosphere. number of outlets Term used to describe the number of outlets in a lateral. Nutrigation Application of plant nutrients through an irrigation system. A term that is co-registered as a trade mark by Netafim Ltd. and Hai Top

online emitter An individual drip emitter which is connected through the walls of the polyethylene pipe to form the drip line. organic agriculture A holistic production management system that promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including bio-diversity, biologic Top

peak use rate Maximum rate at which a crop uses water. permanent wilting point Moisture content, on a dry weight basis, at which plants can no longer obtain sufficient moisture from the soil to satisfy water re permeability Qualitatively, the ease with which gases, liquids, or plant roots penetrate or pass through a layer of soil. pesticide Chemical agent used to control specific organisms. Includes insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Piston flow Purely advective flow without dispersion or diffusion of the dissolved components. see plug flow plant available water Available water located in the root zone. same as root zone available water plant water requirement (PWR) see crop evapotranspiration plug flow plug flow: see piston flow polyethylene Flexible plastic material used to make irrigation pipe and other items. potential Rate at which water, if available, would be removed from soil and plant surfaces. potential evapotranspiration potential evapotranspiration: see evapotranspiration precipitation rate Rate (in./h, mm/h) at which a sprinkler system applies water to a given area. pressure compensating Usually applied to drippers. Engineered to deliver a uniform flow rate even if the incoming pressure varies. Describes an emitte pressure compensating dripper Dripper designed to discharge water at a near constant rate over a wide range of lateral line pressures. pressure regulator Lowers water pressure to a pre-set level that is appropriate for a drip system. Must be physically higher than any emitter place pressure

The force exerted over a surface divided by its area (Webster) In irrigation, pressure usually describes the amount of energy a pressure-compensated emitters Drip emitters that have a special mechanism that can maintain a uniform discharge rate in spite of great variations of water pre program program: see scheduling program PSI Acronym for pounds per square inch. see pressure Top

regulated deficit irrigation RDI strategies allow a certain degree of water stress in periods when the crop is less sensitive to water deficit such as periods relative humidity Ratio of the amount of water vapor present in the atmosphere to the amount required for saturation at the same dry bulb temp relay Electrical or electronic device which uses a signal current to actuate a separate electrical circuit. root depth root zone Area of the soil from which the crop roots extract water and nutrients. root zone available water see plant available water root zone depth root zone depth: see root zone and root depth run time Length of time to operate an irrigation system or an individual zone. Top

Depth from which roots extract water. The effective rooting depth is generally the depth from which the crop is currently capable of extracting soil water. Howe

saline soil Soil that has sufficient soluble salts to interfere with crop growth. saturation of soil Condition where all soil pores/ voids are filled with water. schedule Method of specifying the dimensions and thus the allowable operating pressure of pipe. For a specific schedule rating, the wal scheduling program Set of specifications identifying times to turn on and off water to various zones of an irrigation system. scheduling Determining timing of irrigations during the growing season and quantity of water to be applied based upon measurements or e set time Amount of time required to apply a specific amount of water during one set of irrigation to a given area, typically refilling the pla soil Unconsolidated minerals and material on the immediate surface of the earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of soil electrical conductivity The electrical conductivity (EC) of a saturated soil paste extract (ECe) is the standard soil salinity measurement used to asses soil fertility Fertility of soil is its characteristics that supports abundant plant life. Fertile soil has the following properties: It is rich in nutrien soil moisture (water) depletion Difference between field capacity and the actual soil moisture in the root zone soil at any given time. It is the amount of water r soil reservoir capacity (SRC) soil reservoir capacity(in., mm): preferred term plant available water

spacing The space between two drippers or emitters. It depends on the type of crop and the emitter flow rates. spray irrigation Application of water by a small spray or mist to the soil surface, where travel through the air becomes instrumental in the distri static pressure Water pressure when the water is at rest. sub main The pipeline that supplies water from the main to the laterals in an irrigation system. see branch line sub-irrigation Application of irrigation water below the ground surface by raising the water table to within or near the root zone. subsurface drip irrigation Application of water below the soil surface through drippers, with discharge rates generally in the same range as drip irrigation surface irrigation Irrigation by means of flood, furrow, or gravity. see flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, or gravity irrigation surge pressure Water pressure caused by changes in water velocity in a pipe system. sustainable agriculture Sustainable agriculture should involve successful management of resources for agriculture to satisfy changing human needs w system capacity Ability of an irrigation system to deliver the net required rate and volume of water necessary to meet crop water needs plus an Top

texture Relative proportions of the various soil separate in a soil as described by the classes of soil texture. total water holding capacity (TWHC) total water holding capacity (TWHC) (in., mm): preferred term is plant available water transpiration Liquid movement of water from the soil, into the roots, up the plant stems, and finally out of the plant leaves into the air as vap trickle irrigation trickle irrigation: see drip irrigation trickler trickler: see dripper turbulent flow Flow in which the fluid particles move in an irregular random manner, in which the head loss is approximately proportional to th turgid State of a plant cell when the cell wall is rigid due to the hydrostatic pressure of liquid in the cell. Top

uniformity coefficient Measure of the uniformity of irrigation water application. The average depth of irrigation water infiltrated minus the average abs uniformity coefficient irrigation Characteristic of the aerial distribution of water in a field as the result of irrigation. usable precipitation usable precipitation: see effective precipitation uses, consumptive Total amount of water taken up by vegetation for transpiration or building of plant tissue, plus the unavoidable evaporation of s Top

valve A device that controls flow with a system. click here to download file velocity Velocity is the speed at which water moves through the system (pipe). Top

water allotment A method to accurately and fairly estimate a total volume of water that should be allocated to a site. water application efficiency water application efficiency: see efficiency water holding capacity soil moisture content in the root zone between soil moisture at field capacity and soil moisture at wilting point. also known as a water meter Device used to measure to flow of water. water pressure water pressure: see pressure water requirement water requirement: see irrigation water requirement water source The water source is where the water comes from. This can be a municipal system, a well, a pond, an irrigation ditch, a barrel o water storage efficiency water storage efficiency: see efficiency water storage efficiency Ratio of the amount of water stored in the root zone during irrigation to the amount of water needed to fill the root zone to field water window Time of day available for irrigation to occur. wetted area Surface area wetted at completion of irrigation. wilting point (WP) wilting point (WP): see permanent wilting point winterization Process of removing water from the irrigation system before the onset of freezing temperatures. working pressure Pressure of the irrigation system during operating. Top

Y
yield monitoring Regular intervals where a harvested weight can be obtained along with a GPS reading. Top

zone Section of an irrigation system served by a single control valve. Zones are comprised of similar sprinkler types and plant mater

a furrow irrigation system. The ratio should be less than 0.5 to have good distribution uniformity.

as equivalent depth of water in acre inches per acre, or inches.

r group of plants particularly with reference to the water stress.

nd improve efficiency and profitability. see bio-organic agriculture or sustainable agriculture

as 1 bar (1000 millibar), 14.7 psi or 34.0 ft of water.

nent wilting point. This is the soil water that is available for plants to use. By definition, it should be expressed as a percentage, or as a dept

the pure, potable water distribution system. The direction of flow under these conditions is in the reverse direction from that intended by the system and normally assumed by

restore the filtration system for ongoing use.

sideration which would cause, or tend to cause, a reversal of the normal direction of flow.

mospheric pressure to exist at a site in the water system.

agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. see alternatice agriculture or sustainable agricult

ary flow and capillary migration.

r than 1/3 bar. Capillary water can move in any direction.

or before the crop is planted. This moisture is available to help meet water needs of the next crop to be grown.

ed and moves with the liquid flow. These vapor bubbles or "cavities" collapse when they reach regions of higher pressure on their way throu

th the irrigation water. see: Nurigation or Fertigation

the discharge rate of the emitter is reduced or completely zero.

d soil solids.

ure and landscaping as a soil conditioner and fertilizer. It is also useful for erosion control, land and stream reclamation, wetland constructio

ing to a set irrigation schedule.

poration, and transpiration by plants growing in or near the channel.

climate regime, when adequate soil water is maintained by rainfall and/ or irrigation so that it does not limit plant growth and crop yield.

nstrument. Relative humidity, solar radiation, ambient air temperature, and plant canopy temperature are measured.

ge depth of irrigation water applied.

pacity in all or part of the field. see regulated deficit irrigation

ow term, describing a variety of flows. Such as from a pipe to an emitter.

drip slowly and precisely to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or sub surface - directly onto the root zone. Drip irrigation is a low

s or sub-mains.

m flow or trickle of water at a constant discharge, which does not vary significantly because of minor differences in pressure head. also know

ne to the average depth of irrigation water applied.

al conductivity passes through water is proportional to the salt concentration in the water. Therefore, the higher the EC, the greater the salt

t of both variations in drippers and variations in the pressure under which the drippers operate. emitter: see dripper

and potassium compounds, spread on or worked into soil to increase its fertility.

he amount of water left in the soil after all the free water has had a chance to drain out through the force of gravity.

e size of the filter screen is expressed as mesh, with larger numbers denoting smaller openings in the screen. In drip irrigation, the range of

rface irrigation

is turned on.

ort particulate matter from the pipelines. In general, flushing velocity should be as high as possible, but never less than 1fps. Higher flushing

eferenced to average depth applied.

ple outlet piping system. see lateral friction factor

he output of some (non-pressure compensating) emitters or sprayers at the end of the line. Friction loss can increase if the tubing goes up h

moving water. This turbulence can be created in pipes, valves or fittings. These losses are referred to as friction losses.

m freezing. The primary source of heat occurs when water turns to ice, thus protecting sensitive plant tissue.

applied in furrows or rows of sufficient capacity to contain the design irrigation stream.see surface irrigation

gravity. also known as gravitational irrigation see surface irrigation

chine discharge, or bath water.

n and condition.

avity, and it is normally unavailable to plants.

line. Usually available in various combinations of operating pressure, discharge rate and diameter.

wing initial application.

tter spacing (depending on the crop), wall thickness, operating pressure and discharge rate.

round-water recharge that is not economically recoverable.

rtificial watering of the land for the purpose of growing crops.

te, and general condition of an irrigation system and its components.

r consumption and protect water quality while maintaining a healthy, functional landscape.

od of the crop being irrigated.

of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant.

of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant.

components and possibly other general irrigation equipment.

used by the crop (soil water deficit), for leaching undesirable elements through and below the plant root zone, plus other needs; after cons

al in various equations.

ncy in the entire root zone. Sometimes called " deficit" or "stress irrigation".

ation from two routes.

made on the soil surface at the point of use. Application devices are located in the crop canopy on drop tubes mounted on low pressure cen

o-irrigation emitter, as produced by the manufacturer and before any field operation or aging has taken place; equal to the ratio of the standa

emitters, operate at low-pressure.

k by Netafim Ltd. and Haifa Chemicals Ltd. also known as fertigation

ding bio-diversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of o

the soil to satisfy water requirement. Plants will not fully recover when water is added to the crop root zone once permanent wilting point ha

aries. Describes an emitter or sprayer that delivers a consistent amount of water over a specified range of pressures. This is useful in situat

her than any emitter placed downstream.

s the amount of energy available to move water through a pipe, sprinkler or emitter.

eat variations of water pressure.

er deficit such as periods of lower temperatures and minimum plant growth. By applying these irrigation strategies, maximum yield can still

t the same dry bulb temperature.

le of extracting soil water. However, it may also be expressed as the depth from which the crop can extract water when mature or the depth from which a future crop can extr

c schedule rating, the wall thickness remains relatively constant for different pipe diameters, resulting in lower allowable operating pressures

d upon measurements or estimates of soil moisture or crop water used by a plant. Disease potential must be considered.

a, typically refilling the plant root zone to field capacity minus expected rainfall.

medium for the growth of plants.

asurement used to assess plant salt tolerance. see electrical conductivity

perties: It is rich in nutrients necessary for basic plant nutrition, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It contains sufficient minerals

It is the amount of water required to bring the soil in the root zone to field capacity.

s instrumental in the distribution of water.

me range as drip irrigation. The method of water application is different and is not to be confused with sub-irrigation where the root zone is ir

changing human needs while maintaining or enhancing quality of the environment and conserving natural resources. see alternative agricu

crop water needs plus any losses during the application process. Crop water needs can include soil moisture storage for later plant use, lea

leaves into the air as vapor. see evapotranspiration

ximately proportional to the second power of velocity.

ed minus the average absolute deviation from this depth, all divided by the average depth infiltrated.

voidable evaporation of soil moisture, snow, and intercepted precipitation associated with vegetal growth.

ng point. also known as available soil moisture

irrigation ditch, a barrel or wherever the water comes from. Usually city and well water are easy to filter for drip irrigation systems. Pond, di

o fill the root zone to field capacity.

kler types and plant material types with similar water requirements and types.

percentage, or as a depth in millimeters per meter of soil, because the amount of water available to plants depends on this value and the r

stem and normally assumed by the owner of the system.

ure or sustainable agriculture

essure on their way through pumps.

mation, wetland construction, and as landfill cover.

owth and crop yield.

ne. Drip irrigation is a low-pressure method of irrigation through a network of valves, pipes, tubing and emitters allowing less water loss due

pressure head. also known as emitter or trickler.

e EC, the greater the salt concentration is. It is an indirect measure of soil salinity. The electrical conductivity is commonly expressed as dec

rip irrigation, the range of size is from 80 to 200 mesh according to the water quality and type of dripper.

than 1fps. Higher flushing velocities will aid particle removal and shorten the flushing time needed.

ase if the tubing goes up hill or decrease if it goes down hill. To decrease friction, a larger size of tubing can be used.

s other needs; after considerations are made for effective precipitation. same as gross irrigation requirement

unted on low pressure center pivot and linear move sprinkler irrigation systems.

al to the ratio of the standard deviation of the discharge of the emitters to the mean discharge of the emitters.

preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished b

permanent wilting point has been experienced. Classically, 15 atmospheres (15 bars), soil moisture tension is used to estimate PWP.

es. This is useful in situations where the tubing runs are long or the terrain the tubing runs over is hilly. As a general rule, pressure compen

, maximum yield can still be reached, while the amount of water applied is reduced. see deficit irrigation

om which a future crop can extract soil water. Maximum effective root depth depends on the rooting capability of the plant, soil profile characteristics, and moisture levels in th

wable operating pressures for larger diameter pipe. schedule, irrigation. see irrigation schedule

ontains sufficient minerals (trace elements) for plant nutrition, including boron, chlorine, cobalt, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, molyb

n where the root zone is irrigated by water table control.

es. see alternative agriculture or bio-organic agriculture

age for later plant use, leaching of toxic elements from the soil, air temperature modification, crop quality, and other plant needs.

igation systems. Pond, ditch and some well water have special filtering needs. The quality of the water source will dictate the type of filter ne

ds on this value and the root depths. same as water holding capacity

owing less water loss due to evaporation. Also known as trickle irrigation or microirrigation

mmonly expressed as deciSiemens per meter (dS/m) and milliSiemens per centimeter (mS/cm). see soil electrical conductivity

s. This is accomplished by using, wherever possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materi

d to estimate PWP.

al rule, pressure compensating emitter tubing operates in the range of 10 to 50 PSI.

ristics, and moisture levels in the soil profile

anese, magnesium, molybdenum, sulfur, and zinc. It contains soil organic matter that improves soil structure and soil moisture retention. So

r plant needs.

dictate the type of filter necessary for your system. Sand, silt, minerals, organic matter and rust bacteria are specific concerns.

conductivity

d to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system.

oil moisture retention. Soil pH is in the range 6.0 to 6.8. Good soil structure, creating well drained soil. A range of microorganisms that supp

fic concerns.

microorganisms that support plant growth. It often contains large amounts of topsoil.