Atmodripper system for precision plant irrigation
2011
Calbo, A.G. | Marouelli, W.A.
Atmodripper is a trickle irrigation system in which the water out-flow is controlled by an air influx. This system enables real time adjustments of the water out-flow and make drippers less susceptible to clogging, because water flows through tubes with an internal diameter between 3 and 5 mm. The atmodripper can be used to deliver very small water fluxes, bellow 5 ml/h, needed to irrigate pots with hydrophobic substrate, or high fluxes, above 1.0 L/h, frequently needed for soil applications. The system can be assembled in two ways: a) linear unities to irrigate field crops; and b) radial (bubbler) unities to irrigate plant pots in domestic and greenhouse environments. In both conditions the water out-flow can be controlled by: a) air flow control – the water flow increases linearly between zero and 1.0 L/h and non linearly between 1.0 and about 3.0 L/h; and b) water pressure control, for a constant air flux, the water flow increases according to the relative height between the air inlet and the dripping outlet tube level. By conveying air with water this system enables complementary actions: a) improvement of the soil aeration; and b) the actuation of Irrigas sensors through special air driven valves and irrigation controllers that allow water flow only when the soil water tension is greater than the reference value of such sensors. If a sensor/controller is coupled to each dripper the irrigation can be performed to attend the water requirement of each plant/pot. Consequently, the atmodripper is a new tool for precision irrigation and fertigation of fruits, ornamentals, vegetables, and seedlings in open fields, greenhouse, and domestic environment.
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