What is Drip Irrigation?
Drip irrigation is the most efficient water and nutrient delivery system for growing crops. It delivers water and nutrients at the right time and directly to the root zone of the plant. Thus, it ensures that each plant receives the water and nutrients it needs at the right time and helps plants grow at the optimum level. With drip irrigation, farmers can achieve higher yields while saving on water, fertilizers, energy and even crop protection products.
How does it work?
Water and nutrients are delivered in the field in pipes called “dripper lines” that contain smaller units known as “drippers”. Each dripper emits drops containing water and fertilizer, resulting in direct application of water and nutrients to the root zone of each plant.
Why Do Manufacturers Prefer Drip Irrigation?
The reason is simple. Compared to other irrigation methods, drip irrigation not only provides a greater return on investment, but also provides farmers with an efficient and simple way to manage their land.
- More, high-quality yields,
- It saves a great deal of water as there is no risk of evaporation, waste and leakage,
- Since it provides homogeneous drip irrigation in all kinds of topography and soil types, land use reaches 100%,
- It saves energy because it can work at low pressure,
- Provides efficient use in fertilizer and plant protection products without leaching,
- It reduces dependence on weather conditions, provides stability to a great extent and minimizes risks.
Why do plants need drip irrigation?
Just like humans, plants like to get their water and nutrients in a balanced way. No one wants to eat an entire month’s food in one day, and the same goes for plants. Therefore, drip irrigation provides optimum growing conditions by applying water and nutrients frequently and in small doses, helping you achieve the highest possible yield.
The reason why plants are more efficient with drip irrigation is because:
- High availability of water and nutrients,
- Water and nutrient dosage suitable for the development needs of the plant,
- Good soil aeration without saturation,
- Prevention of high salinity caused by excessive fertilizer application,
- The risk of fungal diseases is minimized because the vegetation is not over-wetted.
Why does the world need drip irrigation?
By 2050, there will be 10 billion people living in the world and there will be a 20% reduction in the cultivated land needed to produce enough calories per person. Including increasing water scarcity, it becomes clear that we need to increase agricultural productivity and resource efficiency. This is where the drip irrigation system comes into play, changing the global agricultural economy by allowing farmers to produce more calories and cubic meters of water.
- The impact of drought and climate change on food production decreases,
- Groundwater and rivers from manure leaching are not polluted,
- Poverty is reduced, migration to cities is reduced and rural communities are supported.