Irrigation Components

Front Row Ag recommends using a high quality precision drip system for irrigation delivery.

An irrigation system needs to fulfill these key requirements:

Uniformity - every plant site needs to receive the same flow rate for accurate irrigation

Reliability - the system needs to work each day for up to dozens of individual irrigation events, without failure or degradation

Durability - components need to be resistant to a variety of conditions and operating environments over longer timelines

Intelligent system design, equipment selection, and maintenance practices allows for a system that can delivery precise irrigation events, dozens of times a day, for months to years.

Basic Irrigation Components

Zone control kits - these generally include a solenoid valve, disc filter, and pressure regulator as specified by the pressure and flow rate requirements for a given irrigation zone.

Solenoid valve: A 24v solenoid that is activated by the irrigation controller to allow flow to a system

Disc filter: This ensures that particulates are removed prior to irrigation solution reaching the drip emitters; recommend 120 mesh / 130 micron size

Pressure regulator: Keeps pressure within the pressure compensation range for the emitters.

Poly tubing - usually 1/2” tubing; runs the length of the benches, it’s where the emitters are punched into.

Drip emitter assembly

Pressure compensating (PC) emitter: Regulates to a consistent flow rate across a wide pressure range, ensuring each plant site receives the exact same volume of irrigation at any position in the irrigation system.

Irrigation tubing: connects the emitter to the drip stake, usually 3mm ID x 5mm OD

Drip stake: attached to the drip tubing, it secures into the media and directs the flow of irrigation solution down into the media.

Flush valves - connected to 1/2” tubing in each zone, or lateral run, it allows for flushing the system during the cleaning process.

EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Drip emitters:

• Barb Position: Side outlet (SOL) or Top outlet

• Pressure Compensation: e.g. provides even flow rates between 16 - 50 PSI

• Minimum Opening Pressure: e.g. 10 PSI, this allows the system to be flushed during cleaning via the flush valves at less than 10 PSI without pushing anything through the emitters

• Flow Rate: Hydroponic substrates will perform best with very slow drip rates, e.g. 0.3 - 0.6 GPH, allowing the applied nutrient solution to wick horizontally into the media, avoiding channeling and false drain.

An example pressure compensating drip emitter that we recommend is the Rivulis Supertif ND MOP.

The Supertif ND MOP is designed with a mechanism that prevents contaminants from entering the dripper when flushing the line at 9psi. After system flushing, when operating the system at 14.2-50psi, only clean water passes through the dripper reducing plugging and ensuring the specified flow rate.