International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management

ISSN 2756-3804

International Journal of Irrigation and Water Management ISSN 5423-5294 Vol. 4 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2017. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

One of frontiers in agricultural and environmental biotechnology for the arid regions: Micro-pressure drip irrigation technology theory and practices

Niu Wenquan1, Wu Pute1*, Li Jing1 and Shao Hongbo1,2,3*

1National Engineering Research Center for Water-saving Irrigation at Yangling, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China

2Yantai Institute of Costal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.

3Institute for Life Sciences, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.

Accepted 04 January, 2017

Abstract

With the goal of reducing cost and energy consumption of drip irrigation systems, the relationship between pressure and cost of drip irrigation systems, as well as the feasibility of reducing the operating pressure, were analyzed. The irrigation quality and reliability of micro-pressure drip irrigation systems were also studied. A theory of micro-pressure drip irrigation technology is proposed, and the components of this type of irrigation system are presented. The results indicate that micro-pressure drip irrigation technology is feasible and that it can significantly decrease initial drip irrigation system cost and recurring operating expenses. Micro-pressure drip irrigation can also overcome some of the clogging problems of conventional drip irrigation systems. It is suggested that micro-pressure drip irrigation will be a topic of importance in the future of agriculture and environmental biotechnology.

Key words: Irrigation, drip irrigation, micro-pressure systems, agricultural and environmental biotechnology, perspective.