A

Seminar report

On

DRIP IRRIGATION

In the partial fulfillment of the requirement for T.E. Degree in Civil Engineering

Submitted By

Samadhan Dattatraya Sawant

72007683J

Under the guidance

Of
Mr.R.B.Ghogare Sir

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

SPVP’S S. B. PATIL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
INDAPUR -PUNE, 413106
SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE

2020-2021
 SPVP’S S. B. PATIL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
INDAPUR -PUNE, 413106
(SAVITRIBAI PHULE PUNE UNIVERSITY, PUNE)

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the following students have satisfactorily carried out T.E.
seminar work entitled “Drip Irrigation”.
It is submitted in the partial fulfillment of the prescribed syllabus of Savitribai Phule
Pune University, Pune for the academic year 2020–2021.

PRN No. Name of Student

72007683J Samadhan D. Sawant

Prof. R. B. Ghogare Prof. R. B. Ghogare

Internal Guide (HOD - Civil)

Prof. Prof. S. T. Shirkande

(External Examiner) (Principal)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to indebtedness to our

Guide and H.O.D. of Civil Engineering Department Prof. R. B. Ghogare, for the
valuable guidance and the freedom they gave us to explore the topic. Due to their
constant encouragement and inspiration, we are able to present this seminar work
successfully. We are thankful to Prof. S. T. Shirkande (Principal), SPVP’S S. B. Patil
College of Engineering, Indapur for extending us all facilities at college and other
department.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all Faculties and Non
Teaching staff of Civil Engineering Department, SPVP’S S. B. Patil College of
Engineering, Indapur, for their encouragement and useful suggestions at various
stages to complete this seminar work successfully.
Finally, we would like to thank my parents, friends for unwavering
support and encouragement throughout the process of this T.E Seminar.

1
 ABSTRACT
Irrigation is a technology that ensures a good soil-moisture balance resulting
into a good environment for crop growth. Irrigation has not been embraced in Kenya
in large scale except for the well established canal irrigation systems like in Mwea,
Ahero, Bura that came into existence way back. However organizations such as KARI
and AMIRAN have tried to come up with affordable drip irrigation systems for which
small scale farmers have been able to take up.

Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation or micro irrigation or localized

irrigation, is an irrigation method that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to
drip slowly to the roots of plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root
zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. It is done through
narrow tubes that deliver water directly to the base of the plant.

Drip irrigation saves water because little is lost to runoff or evaporation. This
watering method also promotes healthy plant growth, controls weed growth, and
reduces pest problems.

The Seminar Focuses On the Drip Irrigation,Its Advantages , Disadvantages,

Use and Various Applications In Agriculture and also the practical Use on the Farm.

2
 CONTENT

Sr.No. Name of Content Page

No.
Acknowledgement 1
Abstract 2
Content 3
Abbreviations 4
List of Tables 4
List of Figures 4
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Definition 5
1.2 Need For the Study 5
1.2.1 Aim and Objective 5
1.2.2 Limitations 6

2 Literature review 7

3 Theoretical Chapter on the Topic of Study,advantages 8

and limitations
3.1 Advantages 8
3.2 Disadvantages 9
4 Methodology 11

5 Case Study 13

6 Conclusion 14
References 15

3
 LIST OF ABBREVATIONS

ABBREVIATION ILLUSTRATION
PVC POLY VINYL CHLORIDE

LIST OF TABLES

Table. No Name of table Page No

1 Major Components Of Drip Irrigation System 11

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure. Name of figure Page no

No
1 Drip Irrigation System 12
2 Drip irrigation System at a Farm In Akluj 13

4
 CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1 DEFINITION
DRIP IRRIGATION -

Drip Irrigation Is the type Of Micro Irrigation system that has the potential to
save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants , either
from above the soil surface surface or buried below the surface . The goal is to place
water directly into the root zone and minimize evaporation .

1.2 NEED FOR STUDY

1.2.1 - AIM AND OBJECTIVE

AIM -
To study Drip Irrigation system, Its advantages and disadvantages , Uses ,
Applications and effect On Agriculture .

OBJECTIVES -
 Lower flow rates

 Higher Water efficiency

 Deeper root growth

 Less overspray

 Less evaporation of water

 Can Water while turf grass is being used

 Uniform distribution of water

1.2.2 - LIMITATIONS

 The installation process needs time . Sometimes may need court approval in some
lands.

 Sun heat affects tubes , sometimes they get broken for excessive heat production .

 Plastic tubes affect soils fertility . Sun degrades plastic sometimes and that affect
Soil and fertilizers too .

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 Tubes get clogged sometimes.Water cannot pass through and roots get
dehydrated .

 If Drip irrigation is not installed properly , then it is a waste of time , water and
heat .

6
 CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
Irrigation can be defined as the process of slow application of water either on
the surface of the soil or sub-surface (Punmia 1992). Many irrigation systems exist
that have been exploited and that have been adopted for various places depending on
certain conditions.

Water is naturally supplied to plants through rains, however the total rainfall
in a particular area may be either insufficient or ill-timed. In order to get maximum
yield it is essential to supply optimum quantity of water and maintain correct timing
of water (Punmia 1992) Necessity of irrigation can be summarized as follows: less
rainfall, non- uniform rainfall, commercial crops with additional rainfall and
controlled water supply (Punmia 1992).

There are many factors to consider before selecting a particular irrigation

system. These include water resources, topography, soils, climate, type of crops to be
grown, availability and cost of capital and labor, type and appropriateness of a
particular irrigation technology to farmers and its associated energy requirements,
water use efficiencies, as well as socio-economic, health and environmental aspects
(Andreas 2001). It is not wise to use a single criterion for selection purposes.
However, there are instances when one criterion can weigh heavily in favour of a
particular irrigation system. The socio-economic impact of an irrigation system
largely determines the success of the project. This embraces the socio-economic
benefits, for and against, that can be derived not only by the government but also,
more importantly, by the communities in which the project is located, and how these
affect the sustainability of the project.

Health and environmental aspects are also important. The introduction of

irrigation in a particular area can not only improve health, but also introduce health
hazards, if mitigation measures are not adequately addressed during the scheme
design, implementation, operation and management. Irrigation development may also
introduce other environmental risks, such as salinization and the deterioration of
biodiversity.

F21/1723/2010 Page 15 It is therefore necessary to obtain all available

information and data and to carry out an analysis of all the factors before possibly
ranking the criteria for purposes of selecting an irrigation system. In order for a
project to be sustainable, all technical, socio-economic, health and environmental
information should be analyzed in such a way that the system chosen is technically
feasible, economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sound
(Andreas 2001).

In Kenya irrigation can be dated back to the colonial times and some of the
known existing irrigation systems include: Hola, Bura, Mwea and pekerra amongst
others.

7
 CHAPTER 3
THEOROTICAL CHAPTER ON THE TOPIC OF STUDY ,
ADVANTAGES AND LIMITATIONS
Irrigation may be defined as the process of supplying water to land by artificial means
for the purpose of cultivation.Ordinarily water is supplied to land by nature through
rain but generally it is not enough for the proper growth of plants.As such as the basic
objective of irrigation is to supplement the natural supply of water to land so as to
obtain the an optimum yield from the crop grown on the land.

In order to achieve this objective of irrigation, an irrigation system is required to

developed, which involves planning, designing, construction, operation and
maintenance of various irrigation works viz, a source of water supply, a distribution
system for carrying water from the source to the agricultural land and its application
on the land, and various other associated works.The factors which necessitate
irrigation are:

Ø Inadequate rainfall

Ø Uneven distribution of rainfall

Ø Growing a number of crops during a year

Ø Growing superior crops

3.1 ADVANTAGES
1.Reduced water use
Because drip irrigation brings the water to the plant root zone and does not wet
the entire field, drip irrigation typically requires half to a quarter of the volume of
water required by comparable overhead-irrigation systems.

2.Joint management of irrigation and Fertilization

Drip irrigation can improve the efficiency of both water and fertilizer. Precise
Application of nutrients is possible using drip irrigation. Hence, fertilizer costs and
soluble nutrient losses may be reduced with drip irrigation. Nutrient applications may
also be better timed to meet plant needs.

3.Reduced pest problems

Weed and disease problems may be reduced because drip irrigation does not
wet the row middles or the foliage of the crops as does overhead irrigation.

4.Simplicity
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene parts are widely available in
several diameters and are easy to assemble. Many customized, easy-to-install

8
connectors, end-caps, and couplers are available in different diameters. Cutting and
gluing allows for timely repairs.

5.Low pumping needs

Drip systems require low operating pressure (20-25 psi at field entrance, 10-12
psi at the drip tape) compared to overhead systems (50-80 psi). Many existing small
pumps and wells may be used to adequately irrigate small acreage using drip systems.

6.Automation
Drip-irrigation application may be simply managed and programmed with an
AC- or battery-powered controller, thereby reducing labor cost.

7.Adaptation
Drip systems are adaptable to oddly shaped fields or those with uneven
topography or soil texture, thereby eliminating the underutilized or non-cropped
corners and maximizing the use of available land.

8.Production advantages
Combined with raised beds, polyethylene mulch, and transplants, drip
irrigation enhances earliness and crop uniformity. Using polyethylene mulch also
increases the Cleanliness of harvested products and reduces the risk of contamination
with soil-born pathogens. Reflective mulches further help reduce the incidence of
viral diseases by affecting insect vectors, such as thrips, whiteflies or aphids.

3.2 DISADVANTAGES
1.Drip irrigation requires an economic Investment
Drip-irrigation systems typically cost $500 - $1,200 or more per acre .Part of
the cost is a capital investment useful for several years, and another part is due to the
annual cost of disposable parts. Growers new to drip irrigation should start with a
relatively simple system on a small acreage before moving to a larger system.

2.Drip irrigation requires maintenance and high-quality water

Once emitters are clogged or the tape is damaged, the tape must be replaced.
Water dripping from an emitter and the subsequent wetting pattern are hard to see,
which makes it difficult to know if the system is working properly. Proper
management of drip irrigation requires a learning period.

3.Water-application pattern must match planting pattern

If emitter spacing (too far apart) does not match the planting pattern, root
development may be restricted and/or plants may die.

4.Safety
Drip tubing may be lifted by wind or may be displaced by animals unless the
drip tape is covered with mulch, fastened with wire anchor pins,or lightly covered
with soil.

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5.Leak repair
Drip lines can be easily cut or damaged by other farming operations, such
as tilling, transplanting, or manual weeding with a hoe. Damage to drip tape
caused by insects, rodents or birds may create large leaks that also require repair.

10
 CHAPTER 4

METHODOLOGY

Major Components of Drip Irrigation System

1 Pump Station 6 Pressure Gauge

2 By-Pass Assembly 7 Mains/Sub-Mains

3 Control Valves 8 Laterals

4 Filtration System 9 Emitting Devices

5 Fertilizer tank/ Venturi 10 Micro tubes

Table 1 - Major components Of Drip Irrigation System

Pump station takes water from the source and provides the right pressure for delivery
into the pipe system.

Control valves control the discharge and pressure in the entire system.

Filtration system cleans the water. Common types of filter include screen filters and
graded sand filters which remove fine material suspended in the water.

Fertilizer tank/venturi slowly add a measured dose of fertilizer into the water during
irrigation. This is one of the major advantages of drip irrigation over other methods.

Mainlines, submains and laterals supply water from the control head into the fields.
They are usually made from PVC or polyethylene hose and should be buried below
ground because they easily degrade when exposed to direct solar radiation. Lateral
pipes are usually 13-32 mm diameter.

Emitters or drippers are devices used to control the discharge of water from the
lateral to the plants. They are usually spaced more than 1 metre apart with one or
more emitters used for a single plant such as a tree. For row crops more closely
spaced emitters may be used to wet a strip of soil. Many different emitter designs
have been produced in recent years. The basis of design is to produce an emitter
which will provide a specified constant discharge which does not vary much with
pressure changes, and does not block easily.

11
Fig 1 - Drip Irrigation System

12
 CHAPTER 5
CASE STUDY

Place Of Visit - Farm In Akluj

Date Of Visit - 07-june-2021

Area Of Farm - 2 Acres

Fig 2 - Drip irrigation System at a Farm In Akluj

13
 CHAPTER 6
CONCLUSION
Drip irrigation is a latest sub-surface method of irrigating water with higher
water demands in arid region. It may not be applicable to all farms. Yet, when
properly designed, installed and managed, drip irrigation may help achieve water
conservation by reducing evaporation and deep drainage when compared to other
types of irrigation such as flood or overhead sprinklers since water can be more
precisely applied to the plant roots. In addition, drip can eliminate many diseases that
are spread through water contact with the foliage. It also results reduced energy costs.

It is the application of water at a slow rate drop by drop through , perforations in pipe
to irrigate limited area around the plant . A precise amount of water which is required
by the plant is given in drip irrigation deep percolation losses and evaporation losses
are reduce . This method very useful in arid regions where water is scarce. It enables
application of fertilizers along with importance of irrigation water. It ensures optimum
growth , better fruiting and more growth of crops with optimum quantity of water.

14
 REFERENCES
1.Andreas, P. & Freken, K. (1992). Planning, Development, Monitoring and
Evaluation of Irrigated Agriculture with farmer participation Module 9.

2.Punmin,B.C,& Pande, B.B .(1992). Irrigation and water power Engineering. Laxmi
Publishers. Golden House, New Delhi (P) (pg 1-27)

3.Corey, A.T., & W.E Hart (1974). Soil- Water Engineering, Department of
Agricultural Engineering; Colorado State University

4.Larry, J. 1988. Principles of farm irrigation system design. John Wiley and Sons.
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2002); Irrigation Manuals volumes 1-9.

5.Keller, J. and Bliesner, R.D. 1990. Sprinkler and trickle irrigation.

Chapman and Hall, New York

6.WWW.Civiltoday.Com

7.WWW.Civildigital.com

8.https://www.britannica.com/technology/bridge-engineering

9.https://theconstructor.org

10.Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures [S.K.GARG] (2005)

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