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How Pulse Irrigation System Works

By Eliza Mendoza


With the increasing need for food and reduction in arable pieces of land, the use of irrigation farming is increasing. We have many types of irrigation systems available depending on need and budget of the farmer. Among these is pulse irrigation.

Used together with drip or even sprinkler systems, this system makes it possible to manage water usage effectively. It is scalable to whatever level one desires for maximum water saving features. It is applicable also with the low flow systems and the ultra low flow systems of irrigation.

It is even better used in places with scarcity of water like in desert regions. By passively allowing water to flow into a reservoir, it builds pressure at a controlled rate. Once the predetermined pressure is reached, the outlet valves are forced open hence a pulse of water flows out.

The flow gradually lowers the pressure hence the valve closes again so that the reservoir can recharge again. The inflow is kept below the outlet flow therefore the cycle is maintained. A drip flow controller is used at the inlet managing the rate at which water flows into the reservoir therefore the timing.

As long as the system is properly installed, it will not need any monitoring. This system keeps the plants from overwatering. This constant, controlled and frequent water flow reduces the plant demand for water and lowers usage of water. The plants also do not experience water stress due to the intermittent supply.

The outlet valve has strong magnets holding it closed as the pressure builds. When the pressure in the reservoir is strong enough, it overcomes the strength of the magnets forcing the top set of the magnets to open. A reduction in pressure allows the magnet to drop down and the recharging phase begins again and the cycle goes on and on.

Using this on a sprinkler system is very effective for open farming. When seeds are germinating, one can use a frequency of 5 second sprinkling every minute for the first 2 weeks. This can then be adjusted to 8 hours sprinkling three times a week. This frequency is determined by plant water need, weather condition and the strength of the sun in that season.

Pulse irrigation system has been proven to have many advantages in farming. Even when used with a drip or sprinkler system, you get no run offs on heavy soil. Used on sandy soil that is known to have poor water retention, there is no leaching or water loss. On hilly areas and shallow soil, water does not run off despite the terrain. One can also achieve temperature control effectively through evaporative cooling using foggers and sprinklers working intermittently. This low discharge rate allows for use of little space in greenhouse and smaller containers. The system installation costs are also lowered greatly since it requires low capacity water pumps and smaller conduits.




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