How Pulse Irrigation System Works

By Eliza Mendoza


As the world population grows, so does the need for food. Conversely, the arable land reduces with time. This calls for increased use of irrigation and other farming methods that utilize small spaces for maximum production. Pulse irrigation is a system that when used with other systems helps manage water while producing healthy crops hence more food.

This is a type of irrigation that makes it possible to manage your water usage. It can be scaled to whatever flow one requires so as to greatly minimize water flow. It can be used with sprinkler or drip irrigation very effectively. The traditional low flow systems and even ultra low flow systems of irrigation can be used with this pulse system.

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.

Once the pressure reduces in the reservoir, the valves close allowing pressure to recharge again. As long as the inlet flow is lower than the outlet, the recharge and discharge cycle will continue. For this to work, a drip flow controller is used at the inlet to control rate of water flow into the reservoir.

Once set, this system can operate without any other input for long periods of time. This constant and frequent irrigation helps reduce water demand by the plant while also lowering water usage very efficiently. The plants are also protected from water stress due to the intermittent water supply to the soil.

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.

This pulse irrigation system has numerous advantages. Used with a sprinkler or even drip irrigation system, it has no run offs. Used o sandy soil, there is no chance for leaching or water loss in the loose soil. When used on hilly areas and on shallow soil, water does not run off. In order to achieve temperature control, use intermittent sprinkling and foggers to perform evaporative cooling I hot conditions. The system also allows for the use of less space in greenhouses and containers. Lower capacity pumps and smaller conduits can be used therefore reducing installation costs.




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