Development of nano irrigation system with clay diaphragm for reduced water loss in vegetable production in low income countries
Oladipo Isaac Olaposi, Akinruli Ifedayo Joshua, Adebayo Yusuf
Revista Espinhaço, 2017, 6 (1): 21-28.
Abstract Water resources will be more affected as the effects of climate change continues to manifest in the environment. Since
agriculture in the poor countries of the world still remain largely rainfed, the effect of climate change will leave greater impact on
agriculture in those countries. Any effort made to improve water use efficiency in agriculture is worthwhile. This paper presents a
report of the development of nano-irrigation system using molded clay for emitter diaphragm. The clay material was sourced locally
from the deposit around the pottery community in Isan-Ekiti, Nigeria. Varying quantities of sawdust was mixed with clay before
molding. As a result, seven different treatments of clay: sawdust ratios were made viz; 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50 and
40:60. The mold samples were sundried and later fired in the kiln at 700 o C. This process helped to strengthen the molds and
eliminate the sawdust burnouts. From the water discharge test conducted by connecting the emitter to the discharge end of a waterhose
the 80:20 treatment showed a discharge of 8.6 x 10-6
l/s (approximately 1 liter/day). The corresponding discharges from 70:30,
60:40, 50:50 and 40:60 were 4.3 x 10-5
l/s (2 liter/day), 1.6 x 10-5
l/s (approximately 4 liter/day), 1.4 x 10-5
l/s (approximately 5
liter/day) and 1.2 x10-5
l/s (approximately 7 liter/day). Compared to the commercial drippers manufacture by Netafim Ltd the
discharge was far more efficient in curtailing irrigation water loss. The 70:30 sample was found more suitable for meeting the
discharge of water quantity equivalent of the water requirement of pumpkin and okra vegetables. This was confirmed in the field
experiment conducted with the crop in question. On the material utilization platform, the developed emitter is 100 times cost effective
when compared to cooking pot and the economic return to the rural women far outweighs that of other pottery wares.
Key-words: irrigation system, water loss, low income countries, climate change.
1. Introduction
Irrigation, according to Michael (2000) and Michael and
Odjah, (2003) is the artificial application of water to farmland
and the crops in order to boost agricultural production and
performance. It is also used for maintenance of landscapes,
support re-generation of plant cover on dry lands and a means
to supplement inadequate supply of rainfall mostly under rainfed
agriculture (Williams and Robert, 2007). The need to
manage water in a most economic and sustainable, yet
environment friendly manner, have been s driving force
propelling experts concerned with irrigation and
environmental protection to evolve more efficient and
effective irrigation over the years.
In the recent time, record of irrigation development timeline
shows that the practice had moved distantly from the
flooding, basin and furrow .
Key-words: irrigation system, water loss, low income countries, climate change.
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