Studies on efficiency of acids for unclogging of inline type emitters

Abstract

The main hurdle in drip irrigation system management is emitter clogging. Emitter clogging greatly reduces the water distribution uniformity in the irrigated field and which negatively influence crop growth and yield. Acids which are selected for the study were DS-99, Nitric acid, sulfuric acid, Hydrochloric acid and phosphoric acid. No acid treatment was taken as a control. Inline type of emitters (non-pc) was having less discharge (1.3 lph) and turbulent flow regime therefore these emitters were more susceptible to clogging though the drip irrigation system was six year old. Amongst the different acids used for unclogging of emitters, sulfuric acid -75% was found significantly superior over all other treatments followed by hydrochloric acid (37%), nitric acid (70%), DS-99 acid and phosphoric acid (85%) for inline drip irrigation systems. From study, it is revealed that three applications of acid at 15 days interval were required for satisfactory unclogging of inline (Non-PC) emitters. Crop response was found to be significantly superior for higher EU, UC values treatments.