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Taking the Mystery Out of Micro-irrigation

Jack Tichenor, Water Conserv. AgentJack Tichenor, Water Conserv. Agent

Manatee County /University of Florida Manatee County /University of Florida Extension ServiceExtension Service

(941) 722-4524(941) 722-4524

jtichenor@ifas.ufl.edu

http://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/water.htmhttp://manatee.ifas.ufl.edu/water.htm

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3 Basic Ways to Irrigate Landscapes

1. Sprayers

3. Micro

2. Rotors

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Shrub bed zone

Grass zone

Ideal site for micro-irrigation

Use sprayers or rotorsJack Tichenor

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Water Use Zones

Separate irrigation zones into categories:

•Flowers, shrubs or trees in mulched beds

•Grass

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Separate Zones-Grass and Shrubs

Depending upon the location, variety, etc; Most grass needs 20 to 35 inches of irrigation water per year.

•Most woody plants in mulched areas require approximately 10 inches of irrigation per year. (in addition to our 50+ inches rain per year)

UF Bulletin 320, 1993Jack Tichenor

Why?

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Micro-IrrigationApplying small quantities of water directly to the plant root zone in the form of drops, tiny streams or miniature sprays while leaving unplanted spaces dry. Max. emitter flow rate is 30 gallons per hour.

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•Best for shrub / flower beds.

•Easy to install and change.

•Can connect to hose,faucet or permanent.

•Use as “nurse” system on new plantings.

Micro-Irrigation(also known as low-volume or drip)

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Distribution Tubing

Water is brought to plants at low flow rates by plastic tubing

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Poly Pipe – (Polyethylene)

A flexible, low cost, plastic tubing widely used in micro-irrigation. Carbon-black is added to resin for UV light resistance.

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Tubing Max. Flow Rates(From Rainbird’s Low Volume Irrigation Design Manual pg. 67)

Poly Distribution Pipe Size

Max. Flow GPM (GPH)

PSI Loss per 100 ft.*

1/2” 4.7 GPM

(282 GPH)

8.8 PSI

3/4” 8.3 GPM

(498 GPH)

6.3 PSI

1” 13.5 GPM

810 GPH

4.8 PSI

*Assume no barb friction loss or elevation change.

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4 Types of Micro-Irrigation

Micro-Sprayers

Drippers

“Shrubblers”

Drip Tubing

Jack Tichenor

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Micro-Sprayer/Sprinklers

• Interchangeable emitters.

• Install on stake or riser.

• Wets larger surface area, mass plantings, plant groups.

• Easier to see operating.

• Wets foliage.

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18Distribution tubing

“Spaghetti” tubing

Support stake

Emitter

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Shrubblers• On short stake - sprays close to ground. • Solid spray or rays in 180 or 360 pattern.• Can be adjusted or shut off.• Establish and maintain larger plants.

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Distribution tubing

“Spaghetti” tubing

Shrubbler & stake

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Drippers• Apply water directly to soil.

• Attach to dist. tubing or to “spaghetti tubing”.

• For widely spaced plants or pots.

• Made in flow rates of ½ gph up to 24 gph.

Spaghetti tubes

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Drippers

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Drip Tubing• Emitters are factory installed inside tubing.• Emitters are pressure compensating.• Fewer parts & pieces.• Generally out of sight.• Dry foliage.• Creates a row of wet circles.

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Drip Tubing

Emitters

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PVC header to drip tubing

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Drip Tubing Maximum Length*For Rainbird Xeri-Flex, 0.9GPH drippers @ 12”

Inlet Pressure in PSI Max. Length in Feet

20 94

30 182

40 244

50 292

60 322

* Varies with spacing, flow rates & with manufacturer. Check product performance.

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“Portable” Micro SystemTimer/valve (optional)

Backflow preventer

Filter

(optional)

Tubing adapter

Elbow or Tee

Distribution tubing

Emitter (sprayer)

Closure

Faucet connection

Available in stores as a starter kit.

Press. reg. (opt.)

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“Permanent” Micro System

Valve box

Isolation valveFilter

Zone Valve

Pressure regulator

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Water FilterRemoves particles

to minimize clogging.

Emitter Size Filter Mesh

0.5 GPH 200 mesh

0.6 to 0.9 GPH 150 mesh

1 GPH & up 120 mesh

Choose filter mesh based upon emitter size

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Pressure Regulator1.Reduces incoming water pressure to help prevent rupturing plastic tubing & fittings.2.Provides usable pressure range for emitters.

Available in various pressures; 15, 20, 25, 30, 40 PSI

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PE or PVC pipe to micro zone

Permanent System

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PE piping from “stub PE piping from “stub up” to drip emittersup” to drip emitters

Permanent System

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1 FT TIMES 1 = 1 GAL/WEEK

2 FT TIMES 2 = 4 GAL/WEEK

Plant diameter

How much to apply?

40.5gph

.5gph

1 gph 1 gph

1 gph1 gph

1 FT x 1 = 1 gal/week 2 FT x 2 = 4 gal/week

Dripper or bubbler installation

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Soil Moisture Content

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Building Materials Store

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Sources for Further Information:

Manufacturer Websites:

http://www.antelco.comhttp://www.digcorp.com http://www/mrdrip.com http://www.mrlandscaper.comhttp://www.rainbird.com http://www.toro.com

http://www.watermatters.orgWater Restrictions:

Extension Publications:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_AE:IRRhttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MENU_EP

Jack Tichenor

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Questions?

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