Of all types of irrigation techniques, drip irrigation is the most popular among greenhouse owners for various reasons. The system is easy to set up without professional knowledge, not to mention its water efficiency. That said, the most crucial part of a drip irrigation system is the dripper or emitter. A dripper is a part through which water drips, and the design differs from one model to another. This article highlights critical parameters for classifying drippers.

Dripper shape

Drippers are either cylindrical or flat in form. Cylindrical drippers are the most popular emitters due to their unique shape. Their large bodies and filters, combined with a long wide labyrinth inside, make cylindrical emitters water efficient. Additionally, cylindrical emitters have outlets on the two opposite ends, meaning that one section is always free from sediments at any given time. The ragged nature of cylindrical drippers makes them perfect for greenhouses with low water quality and the best for long-term use.

Flat drippers are used in a greenhouse, but they are not as popular, although they are easy to install. Besides, the flat profile means that more drippers can be installed on a lateral drip line, making them the best option for packed plants.

Flow rate regulations

The parameter features two types of drippers: turbulent flow drippers and pressure compensated drippers. Turbulent flow emitters feature a labyrinth-like pattern water path, which creates turbulence as water flows through and reduces the pressure. Therefore, the longer the labyrinth design inside a turbulent flow dripper, the slower the drip rate and vice versa. Since water pressure tends to vary between the nearest and the furthest drippers, turbulent flow drippers are only suitable for short pipe rows. If used on long pipe rows, uneven water distribution from turbulent flow drippers will affect uniform plant growth.

As their name suggests, pressure compensated drippers are designed to compensate for turbulent flow emitters' limitations. They have a flexible membrane, which remains unchanged whether a pipe's pressure rises or falls, effectively controlling the water flow rate. It ensures that the first and the last emitters have the same flow rate, which is essential for long pipe rows.

Advanced solutions

Over the years, drip irrigation systems have continued to improve, and the need for advanced solutions gave rise to non-drain drippers and anti-siphon drippers. Non-drain drippers are designed to prevent water from draining to the lower emitters when irrigation stops. Therefore, water remains inside a drip line, ensuring faster filling during the next irrigation cycle. Most importantly, it eliminates water stress on plants directly above the lowest drippers.

Conversely, anti-siphon drippers solve the suction effect, which allows the soil to clog drippers when inserted underground. Notably, they enable a drip line to drain slowly and let air, rather than soil, gradually replace the water in a pipe and prevent clogging.

Talk to a store that carries irrigation supplies for more information.

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