Subsurface Drip Irrigation Guide - Page 9

Table 10 - Approximate installation rates of various methods.

We offer the the following guidelines to help you determine the rate of installation.

IN A NEWLY SODDED LAWN, FOLLOW THE GENERAL GUIDELINES RECOMMENDED FOR TURF:

IN A NEWLY SEEDED OR HYDROSEEDED LAWN, FOLLOW THE TECHLINE CV, GENERAL GUIDELINES RECOMMENDED FOR TURF:

Fertigation is the process of injecting liquid fertilizers into the zone while irrigating. This is already a popular methodology in many areas.

The benefit of fertigation includes the ease of application and the knowledge that along with the water, the nutrients are being applied uniformally in a proper designed and installed dripperline system to the plant's root zone in an ongoing basis throughout the growing season. With Netafim dripperlines, the use of pressure compensating drippers further ensures that the application rate is even.

Netafim Techline CV and Techline are specially designed to support fertigation where local codes allow it, and where backflow codes regarding its use are followed.

Any fertilizer that is used should be liquid or completely liquid soluble and be non-destructive toward polyethylene. If the product meets these simple criteria, the ability to fertigate just became another reason to use Netafim Techline CV or Techline.

While there is little scientific data on how to determine row spacing when using fertigation, some professionals recommend that closer rows spacings should be used to ensure that the fertilizers are being as evenly applied as possible. Example - If the recommended row spacings are from 12" to 16" apart, you may wish to consider 12" to 14".

When designed and installed properly, a Netafim Techline CV or Techline subsurface system offers the designer, contractor and system owner very high quality equipment, unparalleled performance, system reliability and low maintenance.

As we discussed earlier, training, repair and maintenance considerations are actually less with a subsurface system than with a sprinkler system.

As with any irrigation system, it is important that it be designed according to the manufacturer's specifications and installed according to the designer's specifications. Note that on the following chart, the major elements relating to a dripperline system vs. a sprinkler system are the same.

Disc filters should be inspected and cleaned 2" Disc Filter periodically.

Note: With a sprinkler system, all of the basket screens on rotors and sprays should be cleaned periodically because the mesh of the screen is frequently the same or greater than a Netafim filter's mesh. If someone tells you that it is harder to rinse the rings of one filter on a dripperline system than it is to clean the screens on every sprinkler, you may wish to reconsider the value of their opinions.

The filter should be inspected several times after installation until a determination on cleaning frequency can be established.

To clean the discs, unscrew the plastic housing, or unlatch the band, exposing the spindle on which the discs are stacked. The spindle is held in place by snap-fit.

To remove the discs, pull on the spindle. No special tools are needed. The discs can be cleaned in a bucket of water, or by spraying them with a hose. The discs are stacked loosely on the spindle and are easily separated for the thorough removal of debris.

Commercial installations should include pressure gauges or places to connect pressure gauges immediately upstream and downstream of the filter. This allows personnel to determine when the filter needs to be cleaned by observing the pressure differential between the upstream and downstream gauges.

Filters should be cleaned when the pressure loss across the filter is between 5 to 10 psi, or when the downstream pressure falls below the designed working pressure of the system. Record the pressure differential between the gauges when the system is installed as a reference for determining periodic inspection and cleaning.

Subsurface Drip Irrigation Guide - Page 9