Tips To Understanding Pulse Irrigation

By Eliza Mendoza


As the world population grows, so does the need for food. Conversely, the arable land reduces with time. This calls for increased use of irrigation and other farming methods that utilize small spaces for maximum production. Pulse irrigation is a system that when used with other systems helps manage water while producing healthy crops hence more food.

Used together with drip or even sprinkler systems, this system makes it possible to manage water usage effectively. It is scalable to whatever level one desires for maximum water saving features. It is applicable also with the low flow systems and the ultra low flow systems of irrigation.

It is even better used in places with scarcity of water like in desert regions. By passively allowing water to flow into a reservoir, it builds pressure at a controlled rate. Once the predetermined pressure is reached, the outlet valves are forced open hence a pulse of water flows out.

Once the pressure reduces in the reservoir, the valves close allowing pressure to recharge again. As long as the inlet flow is lower than the outlet, the recharge and discharge cycle will continue. For this to work, a drip flow controller is used at the inlet to control rate of water flow into the reservoir.

Once set, this system can operate without any other input for long periods of time. This constant and frequent irrigation helps reduce water demand by the plant while also lowering water usage very efficiently. The plants are also protected from water stress due to the intermittent water supply to the soil.

To make this system work, strong magnets are used to keep the outlet valve closed. As the reservoir pressure overcomes the magnet strength, they are forced open and the top one goes up allowing water to flow. When the pressure reduces, the magnet lowers and sticks back in position and another cycle of recharging starts.

When used with sprinkler system, this water control is so effective. During seed germination, it can be set to sprinkle for 5 seconds ever minute till two weeks passes. This is then adjusted as the plants grow till it sprinkles for between 8 to 10 hours three times a week. The frequency is however subject to many factors like sunlight intensity, weather condition and plant age. Hot weather causes rapid evaporation hence the need for shorter sprinkling intervals.

This pulse irrigation system has numerous advantages. Used with a sprinkler or even drip irrigation system, it has no run offs. Used o sandy soil, there is no chance for leaching or water loss in the loose soil. When used on hilly areas and on shallow soil, water does not run off. In order to achieve temperature control, use intermittent sprinkling and foggers to perform evaporative cooling I hot conditions. The system also allows for the use of less space in greenhouses and containers. Lower capacity pumps and smaller conduits can be used therefore reducing installation costs.




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