IDE
The International Development Enterprise (IDE) of the USA has also designed and tested a bucket system. The IDE bucket drip irrigation system consists of a bucket, a valve, a filter, an end cap and a 10-m long 12-mm diameter lateral line fitted with 26 micro-tubes, 13 on each side. All the pipes are pre-fitted and packed in a small box. The 13 micro-tube connections are spread over the length of the drip lateral at a spacing of 0.75 cm. Water from the bucket flows out like a small stream from all 26 micro-tubes and spreads out in a circular pattern. Four plants are planted in each of the circles and therefore a total of 104 plants can be watered by the IDE bucket system. The valve is used for flow regulation—giving the advantage that the bucket can be filled beforehand and irrigation started when required. The end cap is used to close the end of the lateral line.
Construction, operations and maintenance
System components
- 20-litre bucket
- Regulating valve
- Line filter
- 10-m long PE lateral fitted with 26 micro-tubes
- End cap.
Assembly instructions
- Prepare the planting bed.
- Construct a bucket stand such that the bottom of the bucket is at a height of at least 0.5 m.
- Unroll all the pipes and lay them on the ground.
- Connect to the bucket with the snap-in collar provided at the bottom of the bucket.
References manuals, videos, and links
Acknowledgements
- Sijali, Isaya V. DRIP IRRIGATION: Options for smallholder farmers in eastern and southern Africa. RELMA, 2001.
