The Effect of Acidification and Magnetic Field on Emitter Clogging under Saline Water Application

Abstract

Up to day, drip irrigation systems have reached to a high level of technology. But, these systems are not able to show their potential benefits, due to various reasons. Emitter clogging can affect distribution uniformity and the system performance, which has direct relationship with water quality. In this study five types of emitters with different nominal discharges, with or without self-flushing system and with or without pressure compensating system were evaluated under three management schemes; untreated well water (S1), acidic treated water (S2) and magnetic treated water (S3) in order to reduce chemical clogging. Flow reduction rate, statistical uniformity coefficient (Uc), emission uniformity coefficient (Eu) and variation coefficient of emitters' performance in the field (Vf) were monitored. The emitter performance indexes (Uc and Eu) decreased during the experiment due to emitter clogging. The Uc and Eu values in different management schemes confirmed that the acidification has better performance than the magnetic water in order to control emitter clogging and keep high distribution uniformity. Regarding to Vf values, the priority of untreated and treated water was as S2>S3>S1 for each emitter.