Drip Tape for Northwest Liners. The Time Has Come! Val J. Tancredi Stettler Supply Company

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1 Drip Tape for Northwest Liners The Time Has Come! Presented by Val J. Tancredi Stettler Supply Company Salem, OR

2 Is All Drip the Same? NO Micro-Irrigation Types: Long Term Crops: Trees, Vines, Cane Crops Online or Inline Emitters on Hard Hose Micro Spray & Micro Sprinklers Short Term Crops: Vegetables, Berries, Liners Drip Tape: Thin Wall Polyethylene tube

3 What is Drip Irrigation? Low Volume/Low Pressure application of water and nutrients at high frequency directly to the root zone of a plant. Water moves through soil pore space by capillary action and gravity. Pioneered in England 1940 s, perfected in Israel, introduced to USA in early 1960 s. Approximately 5% of Irrigation Market

4 Drip Tape Thin Wall Polyethylene tube mil wall thickness GPM per 100 feet Flow emitter outlet spacing Operating Pressure 8-15 PSI Flat to Moderate Slope Single to Multi-Season Use

5 Drip Tape installed on the Surface Requires staples to hold in place Subject to mechanical and bird damage Rodents, dogs, coyotes eat poly Much less prone to root intrusion Easier to retrieve at harvest

6 Installed Sub-Surface Installed as the trees are planted Installed inches to side of tree centerline Less prone to mechanical damage Rodents still a potential problem unless controlled Removed when crop harvested

7 Advantages A Solid Set Irrigation System reduces labor High Levels of Water Management are achieved Precise Application/Uniformity Field operations continue during irrigation due to dry work row, better weed control Efficiently apply Fertilizer and Labeled Agro- Chemicals with less leaching or run-off

8 ADVANTAGES Higher ratio of Soil Oxygen = better Growth Lower pressure - reduced energy for pumps Lower flow rate per acre cover more ground with current water source Dry foliage may mean less Disease Irrigate steeper ground with less erosion Dryer, Warmer soil growing condition

9 DISADVANTAGES Initial investment cost/acre higher Management requirements higher Filtration of source water is necessary to prevent clogging of all drip systems Chemical control of Bacterial Slime required Rodent, insect, human damage = leaks Disposal of Tape a problem at this time

10 Operational Considerations Operated frequently enough to meet crop H2OH requirement to avoid cracking in heavier soils Lower Application Rate = no catch-up capacity, operate daily Pulsation (multiple applications per day) demands system automation

11 Major Components Field Tape and Fittings Sub-Main, Riser Assemblies and Flush Valves Regulating and Control Valve Assemblies Filter Station with Chemigation Automatic Controllers Water Management Tools

12 Sub-Main and Riser Assemblies Isolation valves useful in maintenance Flexible Riser hose from sub-main to Drip line eliminates breakage Ball Valves on riser useful for repair Sub-main Flush valves essential for maintenance

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14 Filter Station-Control Head Water Quality Evaluation Test Wells for Fe, Mn and Iron Bacteria Surface Water Sand Filters, or Self Cleaning Screens, Disk Automatic Backwash essential Well Water Sand Separators may be required Screen Filter generally adequate-often Manual

15 Chemigation Injection Upstream of Filter downstream of Backflow Preventer Liquid Fertilizer Systemic Pesticides Systemic Fungicides Acid to adjust ph Chlorine or Dripatron to control Slime

16 Automation Control Irrigation & Chemigation AC Controllers at Pump/Filter Station DC Controllers for remote location Located at field Valves Central Control Central Monitor and Control Seasonal Schedules Data Storage Handheld controls allow field control

17 Water Management Tools Weather Stations Evaporation Data Soil Moisture Monitoring Equipment Tensiometers Gypsum Blocks Resistance/Capacitance Probe Soil Probe

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19 System Approach Irrigation as a Production Tool is Important Equipment should be Engineered and Purchased as a System to achieve results. Meet Crop H2O H O Requirements High Application Uniformity Efficient & Reliable with Economy Include O/M Training & Warranty

20 Grower Panelist Myron Kuenzi, Owner/Operator Kuenzi Turf and Nursery, Salem Oregon Troy Batson, Farm Manager John Holmlund Nursery, Molalla, Oregon Sam Doane, Production Horticulturist J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co., Boring, Oregon