Trickle irrigation installation manual

Abstract

Trickle irrigation is now being used with a wide range of horticultural crops and a good deal of experience has been gained in design and installation. However, while information on design is available, (see N.Z.A.E.I. Misc. Pub. 6 and 7) little appears to have been written on installation procedures. It is important to distinguish between design and installation. The design should describe the overall layout, show the location of the water source, mainlines, submains and laterals, give the pipe sizes required, and state the number and type of drippers together with their flow rates. For orchards a plan should be provided, preferably drawn to scale, showing tree locations. Installation is a matter of putting the design into practice. The design describes what needs to be done, installation procedures describe how to do it. In short, if you are contemplating installing a trickle irrigation system, the steps to be taken are: (a) Decide what area you wish to irrigate and what water source you will use. (b) Prepare a design. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Advisers can help here. (c) From the design order the pipes, pump, motor, valves, and other fittings needed. (d) Set about the installation following the instructions contained in this manual. (e) After installation and proving follow the operating instructions that should be provided with the design.