The hydraulic performance of rain pipe irrigation system under lateritic soils of Konkan region

The rain pipe irrigation system is emerging technology in the field of pressurized irrigation the system has both sprinkler and micro irrigation system benefits with optimum operating pressure. The rain pipe irrigation system is suitable for growing agronomical as well as nursery crops, vegetables crops. In this system water is applied through micro-openings in the form of spray over the crop canopy with high coverage area and uniform distribution. The coverage area of the rain pipe irrigation system is more and has less investment as compared to sprinkler, micro jets and other pressurized irrigation systems and need less energy. By knowing the advantages of rain pipe irrigation system (RPIS) and its prospective, the system tested for different hydraulic parameters such as uniform coefficients, pressure discharge relationship, mean application rate, distribution pattern, coverage width and percent coverage area. To test the hydraulic parameters the system was run with 3 replications for different pressures (0.8, 1.0, 1.2 kg/cm2), lengths (10 m, 20 m, 30 m) and spacing (2 m, 3 m, 4 m) respectively. Based upon the field hydraulic study, it found that rain pipe irrigation system (RPIS) operated at 0.8kg/ cm2 with lateral spacing of 3m with 20m lateral length found suitable in terms of distribution efficiency (72.40%) in good category, uniformity coefficients (82.50%) in good category. The mean application rate and coverage area found (21.38 mm/hr) and 73 percent respectively. The system also found suitable for uniform moisture distribution under lateritic soil conditions. Similarly, the system tested for foxtail millets crop found that the plant growth was better than surface irrigation. Based on these results it was found that rain irrigation system is suitable under lateritic soil in terms of better distribution uniformity, uniformity coefficient and mean application rate, and coverage area.