- Initial Costs
- Water Supply: Quantity and Quality
- Energy Source
- Soil Limitations
- Surface Slope Limitations
- Field Layout Limitations
- Potential Disadvantages
- What Will You Need for Your SDI System?
- Other Design and Installation Considerations
- Other Management Considerations
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
This circular is designed to provide a brief introduction to the site selection, design, installation, and management of subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) in humid and subhumid areas. This overview is not intended to give all the information necessary for a complete and functional system. The reader is referred to more comprehensive documents for greater details in each category.
Subsurface drip irrigation is the practice of installing drip irrigation (low flow rate emitters operating at low pressures) below the ground surface. The potential exists to use SDI below planting and tillage operations even in standard row-crop production systems.
The advantages of SDI include the potential for more precise managing of water near the roots of crops, minimizing losses due to evaporation, installing systems in fields with irregular shapes, allowing for spoon-feeding nutrients (especially important in locations where rainfall can leach significant nutrients), and zoning of irrigation areas based on limited water supplies and differing water needs of soils and crops.
There are variations on SDI that used by a number of growers, including shallow subsurface drip irrigation (SSDI). Instead of a permanent installation as is common with SDI, SSDI systems are typically used for one or two seasons and include drip tubing that is buried just a few inches below the surface of the soil. SSDI systems are often utilized in vegetable production systems, where roots often do not penetrate as deep as in agronomic crops. However, many of the benefits of SDI may also be realized with SSDI, such as less soil-surface wetting and better placement of plant nutrients. This circular will not address SSDI specifically, though readers should be aware that there are many resources available if they are interested in SSDI, including UGA Extension Bulletin 1564, Shallow Subsurface Drip Irrigation.
What makes humid and subhumid regions different from other regions (arid, semi-arid) where SDI has been used for many years? Humid and subhumid regions must deal with significant rainfall and temporary excess soil water conditions that are not typical of arid and semiarid regions. The site selection, soils, tillage requirements, and management of moisture-related problems (e.g, algae growth in the system, soil stability, excess soil water, pests, etc.) may be quite different from those in arid regions.
Several of the most important considerations for SDI are the same for any type of irrigation system. However, some additional considerations are necessary when using SDI in humid and subhumid areas.
Initial Costs
SDI systems are not cheap to design, install, and maintain, especially if the entire water supply system also must be developed. The potential for row crops or other non-specialty crops to help pay for the system needs to be carefully assessed before a decision is made to invest in SDI. Selected SDI systems have been shown to function for long periods (beyond 10 years); however, an increased level of management and care is required if the system is to be in place and functional for a long period of time.
Water Supply: Quantity and Quality
Sufficient water from ground, surface, or reuse sources must be available to meet the required pumping rates for the system and total supply needs for an irrigation season. Pumping capabilities (volume per time) should be based on the peak water demand for the highest water use crop expected to be grown over the system and the flushing requirements (to remove any deposited particulate material).
The water supply should be free of particulates and biological materials (like algae). Source water pH that is slightly acidic is preferred since higher pH levels (more alkaline) tend to precipitate minerals within the irrigation system. Basic filtering usually is required for any water supply used in SDI systems. If the water supply does not meet the above criteria, advanced filtering or even chemical treatment may be required because of the high potential for clogging of drip emitters. SDI systems can be designed for wastewater disposal or treatment; however, proper care must be taken to include proper filtration and chemical injection treatment to prevent emitter plugging.
Energy Source
Irrigation systems require an energy source to pump water and maintain the water pressure in an irrigation system. An electrical, diesel, natural gas, or other energy source is selected based on availability, cost, and accessibility. However, SDI systems do have operational controllers that may be less desirable for use with a fossil fuel-based power system because the controllers may not be on all the time. Like other drip irrigation systems, SDI systems can be zoned to reduce the pumping rate, pump and power unit size, and energy requirements. As a result, the rate of energy use is lower. However, the time of operation will be extended because of the low rates of water application.
Soil Limitations
SDI systems do not have strict soil restrictions, except under the condition that a plow pan or other semi-impervious zone is located near the drip emitters. The desired distribution of water can be negatively affected by semi-impervious zones above or beside the emitters. There is some potential for benefit if the semi-impervious zone is below the emitters by reducing potential deep seepage and encouraging lateral movement of water.
Soils that are prone to develop plow pans can use SDI and reduced (or no) tillage. Cropping operations that require periodic soil turning can quickly destroy an SDI system that is too shallow. Soils that typically require deep subsoiling are less amenable to subsurface drip irrigation.
Under conditions where soils must be deep subsoiled, the depth and location of the SDI laterals must be mapped extensively so the lateral lines are not damaged. Very sandy soils may have a limited capillary (upward) movement of water from the emitters that may result in difficulties to provide sufficient amount of water during germination or plant establishment. While utilized extensively for agronomic crops, shallowly rooted specialty crops may not be ideal candidates for SDI as the capillary movement of water upward may not reach the relatively shallow rootzone of some crops. A supplemental irrigation system may be necessary to assure plant establishment if rainfall is insufficient during the plant establishment period.
Surface Slope Limitations
If the topography is complicated, SDI systems are available with pressure-compensating emitters. These emitters are designed to discharge a similar flow rate as the elevation and slope changes. However, SDI systems require a relatively low operating pressure typical for any drip system. Significant changes in slope can affect the available pressure to different parts of the field (high and low pressure). High pressures can cause drip lines to rupture, and low pressure can reduce the water output across a portion of the field.
Field Layout Limitations
One advantage of SDI systems is that they can be more easily adapted to field sizes and shapes when compared to other types of irrigation systems. Field areas are not always circular (center pivot) or rectangular (large gun) area. The potential exists for an SDI system to irrigate only the best soils.
Potential Disadvantages
One disadvantage of SDI compared to other types of irrigation is that the infrastructure is permanent in the field. As such, for leased land it may not be economical to install SDI. Costs for SDI can be high, especially if irrigation lines are placed below each row. Care must be taken to maintain a consistent depth, spacing, and location to reduce the potential for damage from mechanical operations. The depth of tubing required for crops that have their fruit below the ground (such as peanut and sweet potato) may be too deep for effective early-season irrigation.
What Will You Need for Your SDI System?
Figure 1 shows the essential components of a well-designed SDI system. Care and maintenance of all these components are essential for long-term and reliable operation. For additional information on site selection criteria, read "Site Selection for Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Humid Areas."
Figure 1. Typical components of a subsurface drip irrigation system.
Figure 2. View of a drain plow used to install subsurface drip irrigation tubing.
Other Design and Installation Considerations
Operational system components should be located in an easily accessible area for improved management. Any components that are to be located aboveground should be strategically located away from potential traffic. All high points in the system should have air-relief valves installed. Designs should include good flushing capabilities for laterals and mains. For SDI systems to function for a number of years, flushing capabilities are absolutely essential.
There are a number of critical design steps for creating an effective SDI system. There are several questions that need to be answered before an adequate design can be completed:
- Will the same crop be grown each year or will crops be rotated?
- Do all crops to be grown have similar water use characteristics?
- Will the entire field be planted, or will the field be divided into smaller areas of different crops?
- Does your field area grade from lighter soils (sands) to heavier soils (loams and clays)?
- Will field crops (such as wheat, soybeans, rice) be grown in rotation to row crops?
- Is subsoiling a part of the production system?
- Are nutrient applications a critical part of your production system?
- Do you currently use an irrigation system that is not time-intensive?
- Are you willing to spend more time on maintaining and operating an irrigation system like SDI?
- Is your available labor force willing and able to work with a new system that requires more care and effort?
Each of the above questions generates a different set of design parameters from water supply to pumping requirements, location of components, depth of installation, spacing of drip laterals, automation requirements, etc. Soliciting input from trained personnel with SDI experience is a must if you anticipate using your system for 10 years or more.
Installation of the designed system is critical to the performance expectations. How many times have corners been cut (e.g, using less expensive materials, cheaper equipment, installation personnel who are not as experienced) in hopes of saving installation dollars? If the design does not consider specific details of the field site, the designer should be consulted about appropriate modifications. If connectors or other components are replaced because of availability issues, the system owner should have assurance of the life span of these replacement components. Proper field layout prior to installation, proper equipment for installation to ensure depth precision, and permanent marking of buried lines after installation all will create a more efficient system. Further, the buried nature of SDI means that access to some connections/fittings is more challenging than aboveground systems. Using cheap materials may lead to headaches later when trying make repairs to “hidden” parts or even locate small leaks.
Installation timing is one of the most critical factors in humid areas. Soil water characteristics (not too dry or too wet) during installation are critical. Installation of an SDI system is similar to a chiseling operation. If the soil water content is not acceptable for chiseling, it likely is not acceptable for drip installation. Fall is usually the best time for drip installation because of drier conditions (normally) and sufficient time for soil settling prior to planting.
If you are planning to install your own SDI system, please take the time to check other resource materials, and visit with your local irrigation expert and others with SDI experience. Local Extension agents, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) personnel, and irrigation dealers are good starting points for obtaining recommendations and information.
Other Management Considerations
What irrigation scheduling technique do you expect to use for your subsurface drip irrigation system? Regardless of which irrigation technique is proposed, this is one of the first important considerations to ensure efficient water use. In humid and subhumid regions, irrigation scheduling is critical because rainfall influences the water in soils and the need for irrigation.
What irrigation scheduling technique is best for you? The one you will use. Whether techniques are weather-based, rely on soil-water measurement, or use another approach to determine crop water needs, it must meet your management interest and capability. Since SDI applies water below the ground, soil-water-sensing approaches seem logical. Placement of such sensors is critical to ensure proper measurement of the soil-water conditions below plants. SDI systems are typically not limited to a particular time-of-day operation based on evaporation losses. However, cost-saving energy-management systems may dictate the time when the irrigation system is not allowed to operate.
Chemigation and fertigation are logical approaches to delivering chemicals (e.g., for control of rodents, insects, crop root intrusion, chemical precipitates, etc.) and plant nutrients, respectively, to the root zone of crops through an irrigation system. Manufacturer labels should be followed closely to ensure effective application, proper use, and system life. The types of chemicals required for different situations should be understood from the beginning. SDI has the potential to deliver low fertilizer rates over a long period, thus reducing the potential for leaching losses (which can be a major problem in humid and subhumid areas) and providing appropriate fertilizers when needed by the plants.
Preventative maintenance is key to system longevity. Once a problem develops, it often is impossible to correct, especially when the problem is associated with buried drip tubing. Testing of the quality of the water supply, routine flushing and cleaning of the system (chlorination or other treatment), and continuous monitoring of system flow and pressure are essential to proper operation. Be aware that source water quality can change during the season and over years, so periodic testing is essential.
The system components described in Figure 1 include a flow meter and pressure gauges. Maintaining good records of baseline pressures and flow rates for each zone are essential. Without such records, it is difficult to determine if a problem exists. Decreased pressures and higher flow rates are an indication of possible holes in the irrigation system. Increased pressure and lower flow rates are an indication of possible plugging of emitters.
Conclusion
SDI is a relatively new technology in humid areas. There is a great deal of research and development in the application of such systems. See the references section for more resources and information. If you are considering SDI for your operation, make sure you understand the site, system, and management requirements to ensure that your system will be in operation for a long period of time.
Acknowledgments
Contributions to this circular were made by University of Georgia Cooperative Extension; UGA’s Agricultural Experiment Stations; universities in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; and the USDA–ARS in Georgia and South Carolina. Reviewed and revised in 2023 by Wesley Porter and Timothy Coolong, UGA Extension.
References
SDI in the Great Plains. (2022). Kanasas State University. https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/sdi/ — this site has good information regarding SDI use since 1989 at Kansas State.
Irrigation resources. (n.d.). C.M Stripling Irrigation Research Park, University of Georgia. https://striplingpark.caes.uga.edu/resources.html — contains many resources focusing on everything from broad topics (soil moisture sensors, etc.) to Georgia-specific irrigation recommendations.
Status and Revision History
Published on Dec 15, 2006
Published on Oct 02, 2009
Published with Full Review on Apr 22, 2013
Published with Minor Revisions on Dec 18, 2023