Evaluation of Hydraulic Performance of a Small-Scale Drip Irrigation System

Abstract

Drip irrigation is an effective water-saving technology that reduces water and energy consumption when adequately designed and managed. This study evaluated the hydraulic performance of a drip irrigation system under field conditions at the Sylhet Agricultural University research farm. The system was tested under three operational conditions: 1/2 th of the lines open at a time, 1/3 th of the lines open at a time, and 1/6 th of the lines open at a time. The key performance indicators, including average flow rate, standard deviation, emitter discharge variation, and efficiency metrics, were analyzed using field data. The results indicated that operating one-sixth of the lines only provided the best hydraulic performance set by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers standards. The coefficient of manufacturer’s variation, emission uniformity, emitter flow variation, uniformity coefficient, distribution efficiency, and application efficiency were 0.11, 85%, 30%, 89%, 90%, and 82%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of drip irrigation in enhancing irrigation uniformity, optimizing water use, and improving agricultural productivity, particularly for dry season vegetable farming. The study emphasizes the importance of proper system design and operation to achieve maximum efficiency and sustainability. Implementing drip irrigation can contribute to water conservation, food security, and increased farmer income by maximizing yield with available water resources.

Keywords

• Coefficient of manufacturer’s variation
• Discharge
• Distribution efficiency
• Emitter flow variation
• Emission uniformity

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