Sustainable Farming Practices: A Comprehensive Study on Rain Pipe Irrigation System Performance

Abstract

Rain pipe irrigation has emerged as a promising solution for efficient water utilization and improved crop yields at a lower cost compared to traditional irrigation systems. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the hydraulic performance of rain pipes with different lengths (30 m and 45 m) and spacing (4 m and 5 m), operated at various pressures (1 kg cm^-2, 1.25 kg cm^-2 and 1.50 kg cm^-2) using a 7.5 hp pumping system. Key parameters such as distribution uniformity, uniformity coefficient, mean application rate and coefficient of variation were measured. The results indicated that the rain pipe system achieved optimal performance when operated at an operating pressure of 1.50 kg cm^-2, with a rain pipe length of 30 m and a spacing of 4 m. This configuration resulted in the highest uniformity coefficient (87.83%), distribution uniformity (76.29%) and mean application rate (6.81 cm h^-1). Additionally, the maximum discharge per meter length of rain pipe and the maximum coverage width of one rain pipe were attained with a 30 m length operated at 1.5 kg cm^-2. These findings emphasize the effectiveness of rain pipe irrigation when employing an operating pressure of 1.5 kg cm^-2, a rain pipe length of 30 m and a spacing of 4 m. The study highlights the suitability of rain pipe irrigation as a cost-effective and efficient alternative for water management in Indian agriculture. By optimizing the operating pressure, rain pipe length and spacing, farmers can enhance water use efficiency and improve crop productivity, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices in the face of limited water resources.