Methods Of Water Proofing

Cotton is one of the most important cash crops of Maharashtra and 33% of the area under crops is under cotton. The yield though is poor and the Maharashtrian farmers are able to achieve only 6 –8 quintals per hectare whereas in Israel the average is 16 quintals and the maximum recorder is 59 quintals per hectare. To educate the Indian farmers on the Israeli technology and to act as a demonstration project the Governments of Maharashtra and Israel set up a farm of 532 acres where the latest drip irrigation technology was utilized. Given below is the actual report of the project to give an idea of what a low volume irrigation system looks like.

The Motorola Irrigation Controller has been installed and is the nerve center for all the controls of the Irrigation System.

The Computer is connected through electrical cable to the control units which operates the various valves, fertigation system, etc. The computer receives signals from the hydrometer cum water and fertilizer resulting in out standing crops.

These valves fitted with solenoid pilot valves are operated electrically as well as manually and are fitted on every sub mains PVC pipeline.
The command computer controls the opening and closing of these electric hydraulic control valves

A 10" dia auto self cleaning filter has been installed which has a capacity of 1000 m³/hr. This filter automatically initiates suction cleaning of the screens as soon as a pre-set differential pressure is sensed across the filter. This ensures that the filter cleans itself and also back flushes the screen ensuring efficient operation throughout the life of the system. The filter has an unique design which enables auto operation without shutting off water supply of the system and the loss in back flushing is minimal.

The system hydrometer installed measures quantity of water with an accuracy of +- 2%. It integrates the water meter and also has ability to regulate the pressure and send electrical signals to the control computer.

The fertigation system for this project includes duplex pumps i.e. duplex injector unit made up from two Amiad injectors on one carrier for application of controlled does of fertilizer which operate on the system water pressure.
These pumps do not require any external power supply to inject soluble fertilizer at the rate of 640 LPH and are also provided with an electric pulse mechanism which transmit data to the control computer.

The design of the system has subdivided the areas to be irrigated in the group of eight plots of one hectares be irrigated in the group of eight plots have been provided each. Each system of eight plots have been provided with a secondary filtration head consisting of battery of disc filter, air release valve, pressure gauge. Secondary filtration for each sub plot. The filtrations and the assembly have been specially manufactured in Indian based on Israeli designs.

The system has different types of Control Valves to facilitate efficient operation:-

Main Butterfly Valve before the filter provides an on/off control of the system.
The Non-Return Valves in the system prevent backflow of Water under pressure and protect the equipment from surge damage.
Multipurpose Air Release Valves have been installed in the system which ensures that Air from the system is expelled during filling of the pipe lines at start up and entry of air into the system when the system is shut off. The valves also release air from the water when the system is under operation and pressure.

These are all purpose Flow-Regulated, self flushing Drippers.

About 22 lakh, Katif Drippers of 2.3 LPH were required for this project.
These are pre-punched on lateral at every 0.5m. spacing for this project.
Pressure compensating/flow regulated allowing long laterals and uniformity in water distribution along the laterals.
Self flushing before pressure builds up, allowing large water passage and minimizing clogging problems.
Rugged material that withstand most adverse conditions.
On line emitter with very low profile; thus becomes easy to roll and unroll the laterals.

Made up of LD/LLDPE material
Available in 12 mm., 16 mm. & 20 mm. O.D.
Manufactured at Plastro India strictly as per IS specifications. IS : 12786.
Nearly 11 lakhs meters of 16mm. Lateral was used for this project.

The Germination of the Cotton Crop in progress


Six Way Adapter: This six way adapter is installed on a riser. Six laterals pre-punched with ' Katif ' drippers are joined to the adapter		The cotton crop planted in month of may. The distance in between two rows of cotton crops is 1m. The lateral to lateral distance is 2m, with Plastro's ' Katif ' Dripper of 2.3 lph. Discharge, inserted at every 0.50 m.