Performance Evaluation of Rain Hose Irrigation System for Enhancing Water Productivity in Kerala, India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of rain hose irrigation system in terms of discharge variation, moisture distribution, and uniformity coefficient at different operating pressures. The study revealed a linear relationship between operating pressure and discharge for rain hose irrigation system. Specifically, at pressures of 0.5 and 1.0 kg cm- ², increased pressure correlated well with higher soil moisture content along with 20% to 23% increase in moisture with greater water-infiltration depth. The distribution of moisture was found to be more uniform at higher pressures, achieving a uniformity coefficient of 74%. This uniformity was enhanced in the multilateral rain hose irrigation system with reduced spatial variation as compared to the single lateral system. As operating pressure increased, discharge per unit length also showed an increase, alongside the throw distance. The rain hose system is particularly advantageous for closely-spaced and shallow-rooted crops like onion, groundnut, and leafy green vegetables, ensuring consistent and high flow rates. The study suggested that regulating operating pressure is crucial for optimizing soil moisture levels, as higher pressures lead to deeper water infiltration. Notably, at a pressure of 1.5 kg cm- ², the system performed the best, yielding the optimum results for irrigation efficiency. In summary, the rain hose irrigation system proved effective at higher operating pressures, providing a reliable method for achieving uniform water distribution and adequate soil moisture for crops, which is essential for effective irrigation management.