Drip tape is a specialized, modern solution that enables precise water management by delivering moisture directly to the root zone of crops. This approach contrasts with conventional methods like overhead sprinklers or flood irrigation, which saturate entire areas and often result in significant water waste and runoff. Drip tape provides a highly efficient method for consistent and localized watering, setting the foundation for improved plant health and resource conservation.
Physical Description and Components
Drip tape is a thin-walled, flexible tube constructed from polyethylene material. This tubing is flat when unpressurized, distinguishing it from the thicker, rigid drip line used in permanent installations. Wall thickness is measured in “mil,” with options ranging from 5 mil for single-season use to 15 mil for multi-season applications.
The distinguishing characteristic is the presence of pre-installed internal emitters or drip paths. These emitters are manufactured as part of the tape itself, creating a continuous line source for watering row crops. The fixed spacing between emitters, commonly 6 to 12 inches, ensures uniform water distribution along the row.
Operational Principles and Water Delivery
The mechanism of drip tape relies on a low-pressure hydraulic system to function correctly. It is designed to operate efficiently at pressures between 8 and 15 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is substantially lower than standard household water pressure. This controlled, low pressure allows water to slowly seep out through the tiny emitter outlets at a specific flow rate.
The precise delivery of water directly to the plant’s root zone is the primary function. As water exits the emitters, it forms a localized, saturated area in the soil that minimizes surface wetting. This significantly reduces water loss from surface evaporation and wind drift associated with overhead irrigation. The system ensures that nearly all the water applied is available for plant uptake.
Reasons for Using Drip Tape
Drip tape is frequently chosen for its economic and efficiency advantages, particularly in commercial row cropping. It offers a lower initial material cost compared to rigid, thick-walled drip line, making it a feasible solution for annual crops. The lightweight and flexible nature of the tape also translates into easier, less labor-intensive deployment across large fields.
The system provides a high degree of water uniformity across long rows. Delivering water beneath the plant canopy keeps the foliage dry, mitigating the incidence of fungal and bacterial diseases. This targeted watering also limits the moisture available to weed seeds between the crop rows, reducing overall weed pressure.
Installation and End-of-Season Handling
Proper installation requires two accessory components to protect the thin-walled tape. A filtration unit is necessary to remove sediment and debris from the water supply, as the small emitter channels are susceptible to clogging. Filtering the water protects the system’s longevity and performance.
A pressure regulator must be installed upstream of the tape to reduce the incoming water pressure to the required low PSI (8 to 15 PSI). Applying source pressure directly to the thin tape will cause it to rupture, leading to system failure. Due to its thin wall construction, drip tape is often treated as a disposable, single-season product. Thicker tapes can be retrieved and stored for several seasons, but all varieties must be drained and removed from the field before freezing temperatures arrive.