Effects of Drip Irrigation System Pressure Fluctuations on Drip Lateral Emitter Flow Rate and Diameter Change

This study was conducted to determine the effects of drip irrigation system in line pressure fluctuations on drip lateral diameter expansion and emitter discharge rates. Pressure tests were carried out using ASAE test procedures with 6 different laterals with different physical characteristics from different manufacturers. Measurements were conducted using 3 replications of all laterals. Results showed that significant (P < 0.05) swelling of drip irrigation laterals occurred due to pressure increases. However, there was no clear indication of drip lateral wall thickness effect on measurements swelling measurements. Results also indicated that changes in diameter at the maximum applied pressure ranged from 2 to 4%. Irrigation system pressure increases resulted in increased drip lateral emitter flow rates at statistically significant level (P < 0.05) for all 6 brands used in this study.