Modeling of Wick Irrigation System

Limited availability of fresh water supplies worldwide demonstrates the urgent need to develop and adopt efficient irrigation methods and proper irrigation management strategies. The relatively high performance of drip irrigation is no doubt. It saves a substantial amount of water and labor, increases yields, and often also improves the quality of the produce. However, the higher investment and energy cost limit the development of the low-cost irrigation system for subsistence farmers. There has been an immense interest in developing and promoting the low-cost drip irrigation system appropriate for small-scale crop growers and greenhouse crop production. This study, by conducting laboratory experiments, investigated hydraulic characteristics and performance of cotton-bonded non-woven material to be used as the wick emitter. Furthermore, greenhouse experiments were carried out to simulate water movement and solute dynamics under root water uptake for potted eggplant crops.