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Maximizing Land and Profits

  • Maximizing Land & Profits

Depending on your farm’s unique needs and challenges, choosing the right irrigation method is crucial for maximizing crop yields and optimizing resource use.

We looked at different types of irrigation and their benefits; surface and sub-surface (SDI) drip irrigation stands out, and we’ll explore why!

Rivulis provides you with the insights needed to make informed decisions that align with your agricultural goals. Investing in the right irrigation system can lead to significant long-term savings and enhanced sustainability in your agricultural practices.

Comparing the Benefits of Surface, Sub-Surface Drip, and Pivot Irrigation

Drip is the most efficient way of irrigating, directly to the plant’s root zone through a network of above ground or buried pipes and drip lines. This method ensures uniform water distribution across the field, making it adaptable to various soil types and conditions. Drip (driplines are above ground) and Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) (drip lines are buried in the soil) deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing waste.

SDI and Drip irrigation are better at reducing weeds and disease infestations and minimizing the need for herbicides and pesticides. Farmers can schedule irrigation based on real-time plant needs, allowing for precise watering frequencies. This level of control translates to better moisture management, leading to higher yields and improved quality of produce. The ability to irrigate frequently ensures crops receive the exact amount of water they need, which is especially beneficial during critical growth stages.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Benefits Comparison Table

FEATURE
SURFACE DRIP
SUB-SURFACE DRIP (SDI)
PIVOT IRRIGATION
Water Distribution
Directly to roots via above-ground drip lines.
Directly to roots via above-ground drip lines.
Over head sprinklers in a circular pattern with a rotating arm.
Water Efficiency
High, minimizes evaporation and run off.
High, minimizes evaporation and run off.
Moderate, due to evaporative loss and irrigating the interrow.
Crop Yield & Quality
Promotes healthier growth, quality and higher yields.
Promotes healthier growth, quality and higher yields.
Variable, uneven coverage may impact yield, especially in windy conditions. In high water need periods, a pivot may struggle to ‘keep up’ with the required water.
Uniformity
Very high.
Very high.
Is impacted more by wind and many sprinklers may have lowe runiformity than drip.
Automation
Can be automated.
Can be automated.
Can be automated.
Energy use
Low pressure-economical.
Low pressure-economical.
Generally higher-pressure requirement–less economical.
Maintenance
Generally new drip lines are installed each year, plus periodic maintenance.
Generally new drip lines are installed each year, plus periodic maintenance.
Requires periodic maintenance of moving parts (gearbox, etc), during the season nozzles may need changing. Vulnerable to bogging and damage from severe wind.
Suitability for Various Terrain
Canwork on almost any shape field. Pressure compensation allows for use on many sloping terrains.
Canwork on almost any shape field. Pressure compensation allows for use on many sloping terrains.
Requires certain field size to complete full circle. Any non-square ground will limit the area that is irrigated. More challenging for sloping terrains.
Fertilizer & Chemical Distribution Efficiency
Very high, delivers fertilizers and chemicals through the drip lines directly to plant roots
Very high, delivers fertilizers and chemicals through the drip lines directly to plant roots
Lower, fertilizer is applied on the plants themselves (including foliage) and the interrow.
Cost (Initial Investment)
Low initial cost.
Higher initial investment.
Lower initial cost.
Cost (Ongoing)
Replacement of drip lines each season.
Low and a well maintained system can last 10+ years.
Low, however mechanical maintenance can become significant as the pivot ages.

Main Advantages & Disadvantages of SDI, Drip & Pivot

Advantages of Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

Improved Crop Yield and Quality: By delivering consistent moisture directly to the roots, SDI promotes healthier plant growth, resulting in higher yields and superior produce quality. The capability to irrigate as needed—even daily—creates optimal growing conditions throughout the season.

Enhanced Water and Chemical Efficiency: SDI minimizes evaporation and runoff, delivering water and fertilizers right where it’s needed most. This precision leads to substantial water and fertilizer savings and more efficient resource use, maximizing crop productivity.

Economical to run generally lower pressure than pivots, and can be automated

Higher Uniformity Drip irrigation is well known to have the best uniformity of any irrigation method

Maintenance:  The buried components are shielded from harsh weather and mechanical damage. The dry surface conditions also help in controlling weeds and diseases reducing the need for manual intervention and herbicides.

Disadvantages of Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI)

Initial Costs: The upfront investment for an SDI system can be higher than that of traditional irrigation methods due to the cost of equipment, and installation.

Complex Installation and Maintenance: Implementing an SDI system requires careful planning and precise installation. Identifying and repairing issues such as leaks or clogging can be more complicated than with other irrigation systems.  However, if a system is well maintained, it will last many years. The Rivulis Knowledge Hub provides detailed information on how to best maintain your system.

Soil and Water Quality Sensitivity: Poor water quality with poor filtration and maintenance can affect efficiency, and clog emitters. SDI is protected from above-ground obstacles but can be damaged by rodents and armadillos underground. Specific measures can be made to minimize rodent and other animal damage as per the Rivulis Knowledge Hub.

Advantages of Surface Drip Irrigation

Improved Crop Yield and Quality: By delivering consistent moisture directly to the roots, surface drip irrigation promotes healthier plant growth, resulting in higher yields and superior produce quality. The capability to irrigate as needed—even daily—creates optimal growing conditions throughout the season.

Enhanced Water and Chemical Efficiency: surface drip irrigation minimizes evaporation and runoff, delivering water and fertilizers right where it’s needed most. This precision leads to substantial water and fertilizer savings and more efficient resource use, maximizing crop productivity.

Economical to run generally lower pressure than pivots, can be automated

Higher Uniformity Drip irrigation is well known to have the best uniformity of any irrigation method

Irrigation Flexibility: Drip Systems provide frequent, targeted irrigation, making them very efficient and effective for water use, particularly during critical growth phases when crops require consistent moisture.

Disadvantages of Surface Drip Irrigation

Requirement to replace the drip line each season: Implementing a surface drip system requires less careful planning and installation than SDI. As the drip line is replaced each season, the ongoing maintenance is less critical. However, the drip line needs to be retrieved and replaced each season.  The Rivulis Knowledge Hub provides detailed information on how to best maintain your system.

Retrieval System should be mentioned

Soil and Water Quality Sensitivity: Poor water quality with poor filtration and maintenance can affect efficiency, and clog emitters.

Advantages of Center Pivot Irrigation

Center Pivot Irrigation:

Pivot irrigation is a widely used method that relies on a rotating arm with sprinklers to irrigate fields in a circular pattern. While this system offers a lower initial setup cost than SDI, it is not as uniform in water distribution as surface and subsurface drip irrigation. Pivot systems are also susceptible to mechanical issues.

Cost-Effectiveness: Pivot systems generally have a lower initial cost than SDI.

Ease of Use and Automation: Modern pivot systems can be automated, reducing the need for constant manual operation.

Versatility and Adaptability: Pivot irrigation can be utilized across various terrains (although often not sloping hills) and soil types, offering flexibility in application for different agricultural settings.

Disadvantages of Center Pivot Irrigation

Reduced Irrigation Coverage: The circular watering pattern of pivot systems leaves an average of about 22% of a square area within the fields without irrigation, leading to unutilized land without irrigation unless pivot corner sprinklers are installed.

Reduced Uniformity: Sprinklers in general have less uniformity than drip irrigation. The decrease of uniformity is increased in windy conditions.

Maintenance Requirements: Pivots require regular maintenance to ensure they function correctly. The above-ground components are vulnerable to weather conditions, which can increase repair costs and labor demands. During the season, the nozzles of pivot sprinklers may need to be changed.

Increased Water Use: A typical pivot irrigation system will use more water than a drip irrigation system.

Irrigates the interrow and therefore encourages weed growth in the interrow: Consequently, requires weed treatment – herbicide or mechanical.

Improved Crop Yield and Quality: By delivering consistent moisture directly to the roots, SDI promotes healthier plant growth, resulting in higher yields and superior produce quality. The capability to irrigate as needed—even daily—creates optimal growing conditions throughout the season.

Enhanced Water and Chemical Efficiency: SDI minimizes evaporation and runoff, delivering water and fertilizers right where it’s needed most. This precision leads to substantial water and fertilizer savings and more efficient resource use, maximizing crop productivity.

Economical to run generally lower pressure than pivots, and can be automated

Higher Uniformity Drip irrigation is well known to have the best uniformity of any irrigation method

Maintenance:  The buried components are shielded from harsh weather and mechanical damage. The dry surface conditions also help in controlling weeds and diseases reducing the need for manual intervention and herbicides.

Initial Costs: The upfront investment for an SDI system can be higher than that of traditional irrigation methods due to the cost of equipment, and installation.

Complex Installation and Maintenance: Implementing an SDI system requires careful planning and precise installation. Identifying and repairing issues such as leaks or clogging can be more complicated than with other irrigation systems.  However, if a system is well maintained, it will last many years. The Rivulis Knowledge Hub provides detailed information on how to best maintain your system.

Soil and Water Quality Sensitivity: Poor water quality with poor filtration and maintenance can affect efficiency, and clog emitters. SDI is protected from above-ground obstacles but can be damaged by rodents and armadillos underground. Specific measures can be made to minimize rodent and other animal damage as per the Rivulis Knowledge Hub.

Improved Crop Yield and Quality: By delivering consistent moisture directly to the roots, surface drip irrigation promotes healthier plant growth, resulting in higher yields and superior produce quality. The capability to irrigate as needed—even daily—creates optimal growing conditions throughout the season.

Enhanced Water and Chemical Efficiency: surface drip irrigation minimizes evaporation and runoff, delivering water and fertilizers right where it’s needed most. This precision leads to substantial water and fertilizer savings and more efficient resource use, maximizing crop productivity.

Economical to run generally lower pressure than pivots, can be automated

Higher Uniformity Drip irrigation is well known to have the best uniformity of any irrigation method

Irrigation Flexibility: Drip Systems provide frequent, targeted irrigation, making them very efficient and effective for water use, particularly during critical growth phases when crops require consistent moisture.

Requirement to replace the drip line each season: Implementing a surface drip system requires less careful planning and installation than SDI. As the drip line is replaced each season, the ongoing maintenance is less critical. However, the drip line needs to be retrieved and replaced each season.  The Rivulis Knowledge Hub provides detailed information on how to best maintain your system.

Retrieval System should be mentioned

Soil and Water Quality Sensitivity: Poor water quality with poor filtration and maintenance can affect efficiency, and clog emitters.

Center Pivot Irrigation:

Pivot irrigation is a widely used method that relies on a rotating arm with sprinklers to irrigate fields in a circular pattern. While this system offers a lower initial setup cost than SDI, it is not as uniform in water distribution as surface and subsurface drip irrigation. Pivot systems are also susceptible to mechanical issues.

Cost-Effectiveness: Pivot systems generally have a lower initial cost than SDI.

Ease of Use and Automation: Modern pivot systems can be automated, reducing the need for constant manual operation.

Versatility and Adaptability: Pivot irrigation can be utilized across various terrains (although often not sloping hills) and soil types, offering flexibility in application for different agricultural settings.

Reduced Irrigation Coverage: The circular watering pattern of pivot systems leaves an average of about 22% of a square area within the fields without irrigation, leading to unutilized land without irrigation unless pivot corner sprinklers are installed.

Reduced Uniformity: Sprinklers in general have less uniformity than drip irrigation. The decrease of uniformity is increased in windy conditions.

Maintenance Requirements: Pivots require regular maintenance to ensure they function correctly. The above-ground components are vulnerable to weather conditions, which can increase repair costs and labor demands. During the season, the nozzles of pivot sprinklers may need to be changed.

Increased Water Use: A typical pivot irrigation system will use more water than a drip irrigation system.

Irrigates the interrow and therefore encourages weed growth in the interrow: Consequently, requires weed treatment – herbicide or mechanical.

Cost Example

Read more about an example of corn production in Portugal where the costs for Drip irrigation stack up in favor of Pivot

See More