Sub-Surface Systems

-Introduction

-Basic Layout

-Additional Layout Options

-Soil-Water Relationship

-Product Selection Guide

-Spacing Between Dripperlines

-Length of Dripperlines

-Other Components

-Slopes

-Simplified Design

-Subsurface Systems

-System Monitoring

-Application Rates

-System Flow Rates

-How to Specify

-Technical Data

-Performance Specs

When used above grade, wire or plastic stabilizer stakes are recommended to prevent the DURA-FLO^TM PC dripperline from wandering. Depending on the soil type, the stakes should be positioned 4' to 6' apart. The looser the soil, the closer the stakes should be placed.

If the DURA-FLO^TM PC dripperline is to be buried the following section should be studied carefully so that the risks of burying the DURA-FLO^TM PC dripperline can be clearly understood.

If buried, the DURA-FLO^TM PC dripperline should be at a uniform, constant depth of up to 6". Buried or sub-surface drip irrigation (SSDI) has some advantages, but there are some additional risks involved. Proper design and management of the system is essential. The risks are the following:

1. A break in the system, if above grade, would be immediately visible and easily repaired. A sub-surface system could take longer to detect, could plug emitters and would be more labor intense to repair.
2. Root intrusion into the actual drip emitters could partially or totally plug the system. To prevent this from happening, especially where there is very active root system such as turfgrass, proper irrigation scheduling is critical. It is imperative to irrigate on a regular basis so that the area around the drip emitter does not dry out. If this were to dry out, the root could follow the water source, actually penetrate the drip emitter, and cause plugging.
   
   Another pro-active solution to prevent root intrusion is to inject herbicide, (Trifluralin), into the drip system a few times each season.