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Micro Irrigation: Facts to Consider

Typical Agricultural Micro Irrigation System

Pump
Fertigation/Chemigation
Water Zone Control
Supply Filtration Valve
Submain

Submain
Zone Control Lateral
Mainline
Valve
Submain
Submain Lateral Emitter

Emitter

Lateral

A typical agricultural micro irrigation system features the following core elements:

Ÿ Water Supply - The water supply can be an open water source such as a river, channel, dam or tank or a ground water
supply such as a bore or a well.
Ÿ Pump - The pump provides the energy for the system to operate. Pump selection needs to consider the operating
pressure of the micro emitters, pipe friction losses, elevation differences, valves and ttings losses, ltration losses and
allow some contingencies for system inefciencies and system ageing. A good pump selection will ensure that the pump
operating efciencies are at their peak.
Ÿ Fertigation/Chemigation - The fertigation system allows for the application of soluble fertilizers to be delivered through the
micro irrigation system. This can be a very effective method of applying fertilizers as micro irrigation systems can have
application efciencies of up to 90%. Chemigation is the method of applying system cleansing agents such as chlorine
and acid injection to clean and ush contaminants out of the system.
Ÿ Filtration - A ltration system is an essential element of micro irrigation systems for removing particulate matter from the
water supply. In open water situations organic matter is usually present and a good method of ltration is the use of
media ltration. With ground water situations there is usually more inorganic material and disc and screen lters are often
used. Filters require regular backwashing and cleaning which can sometimes be automated. Filters also require regular
preventative maintenance to keep them operating in peak condition. It is important to get the right ltration system for
your micro irrigation system and we would recommend seeking the assistance of a certied irrigation designer for advice.

Ÿ Mainline - The mainline pipework transfers the water from the water supply to the zone control valves. The pipe is usually
uPVC or PE (Polyethylene) piping systems sized to suit the demand situation. Good design practice is to have water
velocities in the mainline pipework system to be less than 1.5 m/s. Changes in direction of pipework in mainlines should
also be thrust blocked (anchored with concrete).

Ÿ Zone Control Valves - The zone control valve turns on and off the zone of emitters. These valves can be simple manual
on off valves or fully automated solenoid operated valves. To provide constant pressure to the zone these valves can
often incorporate a pressure regulator which can be set to a control downstream pressure. Air vacuum relief valves are
also often included at these zone control valve points.

Ÿ Submain - The submain is the pipework that supplies the lateral pipework. It is usually either uPVC or PE Piping system.
®
Xpando Take offs are often used for connecting the submain pipework to the Lateral pipework.
Ÿ Lateral - The lateral pipework is usually low density polyethylene (LDPE) tubing and runs along the row.

Ÿ Emitters - Emitters can be drippers, sprays or mini sprinklers which are placed to water the root zone of the crop.
Ÿ Flushing points - A good micro irrigation system will incorporate ushing points at the end of the submains and the
laterals. These points can be opened periodically to ush out any accumulated sediments.

Antelco irrigation equipment metric catalogue 2020 www.antelco.com 58