Topics Concerning Drip Irrigation

Drip (also called trickle or micro) irrigation applies water slowly and directly to the plant root zone or soil surface using a network of conveyance tubes and emitters controlled by valves. Drip irrigation systems typically operate at low pressure (10-25 psi) and low flow rates (0.5-5.0 gallons per hour).

Publications and other resources:

Below are resources on drip or micro irrigation. Click on the title of each publication or resource to go to the link and read or download the information. A resource list can also be downloaded by Click Here.

• The Basics of Micro Irrigation, by Scott Sanford, John Panuska, A4119, University of Wisconsin-Extension, 2018.
• Drip Irrigation: An Introduction, by C. Shock, Oregon State University Extension Sustainable Agriculture Techniques Publication EM 8782.
• Water Management in Drip-Irrigated Vegetable Production, by T. Hartz, University of California-Davis publication.
• Drip Irrigation Scheduling, by University of Arizona Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering staff.
• Maintaining Drip Irrigation Systems, by G. Clark, W. Lamont Jr., C. Marr, and D. Rogers, Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service publication MF-2178.
• Drip Irrigation for Vegetable Production, by W. Lamont Jr., M. Orzolek, J. Harper, L. Kime, and A. Jarrett, Pennsylvania State University Extension publication UA370.
• B.C. Trickle Irrigation Manual, By T.W. Van der Gulik, 1999, Irrigation Association of British Columbia (Canada) and British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food, 330 pages. Available from the Irrigation Industry Association of British Columbia.
• Drip and Micro Irrigation Design and Management for Trees, Vines and Field Crops, 4th Ed. by C.M. Burt and S.W. Styles, 2011. Irrigation Training and Research Center, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.
• Roberts Drip Irrigation User Manual, 2001.Roberts Irrigation Products, Inc. (out of publication)
• Low Pressure Drip Irrigation for Small Plots and Urban Landscapes, 2011, D. Smeal, K. Lombard, M. West, M. O’Neill, R.N. Arnold, Research Report 773, New Mexico State University.

Pest Control

• “The war on rodents in drip and subsurface drip irrigation”, Danilu Ramirez, Progressive Forage Grower, Issue 4, April 1, 2016. Link to article

Fertigation

• Fertigation, by C.M. Burt, K. O’Connor, T. Ruehr, 1995. Irrigation Training and Research Center, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Equipment Suppliers

A list of equipment suppliers for drip irrigation is available HERE. The inclusion of equipment manufacturers and/or product names are for example purposes only and does not constitute endorsement or condemnation if not included by the University of Wisconsin or University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Companies that Recycle drip Irrigation components

Delta Plastics – www.deltaplastics.com/ – Serves Wisconsin

Netafim – www.netafimusa.com/recycling/ – in California only