Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
6-1-1969
Keywords
irrigation, subsurface irrigation
Abstract
A pilot study conducted in 1963 indicated that (1) cotton yields could be increased by subirrigation, (2) drilled orifices were unsatisfactory because of internal plugging caused by burrs and drilling particles, and (3) operating pressures of 5 and 10 psi were excessive, and 5 psi probably should be considered as an upper-limit pressure. A greenhouse study of a subirrigation system indicated that 2 psi should, in general, for in-wall orifices, be considered as a lower-limit pressure when orifices are built into the pipe wall. The greenhouse study also indicated that a placement depth of 12 inches was preferable to 18 inches in terms of the amount of water required. Twelve inches was used as the depth of placement for the field subirrigation system. A device was developed for forming orifices with a hot needle. This method has advantages over the drilled orifices used in the pilot study in that the forming process does not produce loose particles to fall inside the pipe or burrs which remain attached to the inner edge of the orifice and later cause stoppage problems. This method also seems preferable to punched orifices which tend to become smaller with time due to rebound of the plastic.
Citation
Hoskyn, John P. and Bryan, Billy B.. 1969. Subsurface Irrigation Research in Arkansas. Arkansas Water Resource Center, Fayetteville, AR. PUB003. 28
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/awrctr/354
Report Number
PUB003
Page
28