Problems in Drip Irrigation/Fertigation - Clogging / Masalah dalam Fertigasi - Penitis Tersumbat

This is specially critical for drip systems that must be kept free from suspended solids and microorganisms that plug the small orifices in the emitters or driper. In the case of clogging of the drip system by bicarbonate precipitation the use of fertilizers with acid reaction partially corrects this problem. However, acid fertilizers cause corrosion of the metallic components of the irrigation system and damage the cement and asbest pipes. Therefore, the periodic injection of acid in the fertigation system is recommended in order to dissolve the precipitates and to unclog the drippers. The following acids can be used phosphoric, nitric, sulfuric and chlorhydric. In the West, HCl is widely used due to its low cost. Acid injection through the system will also remove bacteria, algae and slime. The irrigation and injection system should be carefully washed after the injection of acid.

In Asian countries like Malaysia however, this method is unknown. What is being done to solve this problem is manually unplug the driper from microtube and wash it in water. For us, we usually use toothbrush to clean the driper from sediments or unwanted items that clogg the driper. After it is thoroughly clean, then plug back the driper to the microtube. This old method is not practical in a huge fertigation plantation and add costs in terms of labour. So, the best way is still the injection of acid substance in the fertigation system.

Simple Drip Irrigation Set Up - How fix the microtube & driper?

During the fertigation system irrigation set up, one of the crucial activities is fixing up the microtube with the driper (which normally come together as one set) onto the p.e lateral pipe. The tools that you'll need are as follows:

1. 25 feet of 1/4 inch microtubing rubber hose
2. Driper head with micro filtration function
3. 100 feet of main 1/2 inch p.e plastic hose
4. Puncher - This tool is not shown on the photo above, but is shown on the photo below.
5. Cutter
6. Microtube nipple connector
   

First, a hole have to be make by using a special puncher with the standard punch hole size as the microtube nipple. Do not use any other tool like nail or any metal spike to do this because you might accidently make a hole on the other side of the p.e hose resulting a leakage. After that, insert the microtube nipple onto the hole. The nipple have a special catch which is design to hold the connection firmly and will not leak unless you plug it off.

After fixing the microtube, it has to be tested for functionality or wether there's any blockage or leakage without the driper and with the driper fixed. This has to be done before even start the seedling.

Simple drip Irrigation In 3rd World Country/Pengairan Titis Yang Mudah Di Negara Dunia Ke-3

Even though it has not rained for four months the gardens at Mtendere Children's Village in Lumbadzi, Malawi prosper. Thanks to drip irrigation systems from Chapin Watermatics in upstate New York. This simple drip Irrigation system has been taught to the rural Malawian farmer to overcome the drought problem in their farm. Through consistent watering on their plants by the means of gravity, no water has been waste because it drips the water rather than pouring it to the plant's soil. So, part of the modern Drip Irrigation concept has been implemented here for the benefits of the poor farmer. By this way, they will be expose to the precision method of modern farming
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Walaupun tidak hujan selama hampir 4 bulan lamanya, kebun tanaman di kampung 'kanak-kanak' Mtendere di Lumbadzi, Malawi masih subur. Terima kasih kepada sistem pengairan titis dari Chapin Watermatics dari utara New York. Pengairan titis yang mudah ini telahpun diajarkan kepada petani2 di pedalaman Malawi untuk mengatasi masalah kemarau yang melampau di kebun mereka. Melalui pengairan yang berterusan tanpa terputus bekalan, dalam mengairi tanaman mereka melalui konsep graviti, air tidak dibazirkan walaupun sedikit kerana penitisan dilakukan dan bukannya menyiram terus pada setiap tanaman. Oleh itu sebahagian dari sistem pengairan titis yang moden telah didedahkan pada petani2 di sana.

Example Of A Simple Drip Irrigation Method/ Contoh Kaedah Sistem Pengairan Titisan Yang Mudah

This is a model of a simple drip irrigation system of a tomato transplant. Notice that it is planted on a soil which already have some nutrient. The Irrigation is

supplying the water and additional nutrient if needed. The UV resistant plastic is 0.6 mil and cost 3.5 times as much as the original plastic. It is more durable and transmits more light to optimise the photosynthesis. The dials are set for: hoophouse - 2hrs every 2 days, other bed - 20 minutes every 8 hours.

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Ini adalah model sistem irigasi titisan yang mudah. Contoh yang ditunjukkan adalah pada tanaman yang menggunakan tanah. Sistem ini dipasang untuk memastikan pokok mendapat air yang mencukupi disamping membuat pembajaan secara automatik. Kaedah ini semakin popular kerana sangat sukar untuk mendapatkan pekerja l adang yang terlatih sekarang ini. Oleh itu kaedah irigasi titisan adalah alternatif yang terbaik kerana kadar pengairan dan jumlah baja dapat ditentukan dan sistem pengairan dilakukan secara automatik. Kaedah ini bukan sahaja lebih efektif tetapi juga lebih murah berbanding mengupah pekerja untuk membaja atau membuat siraman sekirany a tiada hujan turun.