Research article
● Open access
Analysis of Discharge in a Subsurface Drip Irrigation System Operated by Boat-Based Solar Energy: A Comprehensive Field Study
Abstract
Efficient water management in agriculture is increasingly important due to groundwater depletion, climate variability, and rising food demand. Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) improves water-use efficiency by delivering water directly to the crop root zone, while solar-powered pumps provide a sustainable energy source for irrigation in remote areas. This study evaluates the hydraulic performance of a solar-powered subsurface drip irrigation system using a boat-mounted floating pump installed along the Burhi Gandak River in Samastipur district, Bihar, India.
Field observations were conducted during April–May 2022, with 45 discharge measurements taken from three laterals and five emitter positions at different times of the day. The average emitter discharge was 1.876 L/h with coefficients of variation below 10%, indicating excellent distribution uniformity. A gradual decrease in discharge was observed along the lateral length due to hydraulic head loss, while temporal variations remained minimal.
The results demonstrate that the floating solar-powered SDI system provides reliable and uniform water distribution under field conditions. The system offers a sustainable irrigation solution for riverine and energy-deficient regions by combining renewable solar energy with efficient water delivery technology.
Keywords
Subsurface drip irrigation; solar irrigation; emitter discharge; spatial variation; temporal analysis; micro-irrigation; solar pumping; water use efficiency; hydraulic performance; distribution uniformity; renewable energy;
References
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Ayars, J. E., Schoneman, R. A., Dale, F., Meso, B., & Shouse, P. (2001). Managing subsurface drip irrigation in the presence of shallow groundwater. Agricultural Water Management, 47(3), 243-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3774(00)00112-X
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Mansour, H. A., & Aljughaiman, A. S. (2020). Assessment of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems with different slopes by Hydrocalc model. International Journal of GEOMATE, 19(73). https://doi.org/10.21660/2020.73.28135
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Srivastava, R. C., Jain, S. K., & Chandra, R. (2020). Boating beyond sailing: Solar pump fitted boats in Samastipur, Bihar. In Compendium on solar powered irrigation systems in India (pp. 12-14). CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
Wu, I. P. (1997). An assessment of hydraulic design of micro-irrigation systems. Agricultural Water Management, 32(3), 275-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3774(96)01270-X
Zhang, L., Fan, X., Wu, P., & Niu, W. (2009). Calculation of flow deviation rate of drip irrigation system taking three deviation rates into account on uniform slopes. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 25(4), 7-14.
Ayars, J. E., Schoneman, R. A., Dale, F., Meso, B., & Shouse, P. (2001). Managing subsurface drip irrigation in the presence of shallow groundwater. Agricultural Water Management, 47(3), 243-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3774(00)00112-X
Manfo, T. A., & Sahin, M. E. (2024). Development of an automatic photovoltaic cell-battery powered water irrigation system incorporated with Arduino software for agricultural activities. Gazi Muhendislik Bilimleri Dergisi, (Erken Gorunum), 1-1.
Mansour, H. A., & Aljughaiman, A. S. (2020). Assessment of surface and subsurface drip irrigation systems with different slopes by Hydrocalc model. International Journal of GEOMATE, 19(73). https://doi.org/10.21660/2020.73.28135
Pendergast, L., Bhattarai, S. P., & Midmore, D. J. (2013). Benefits of oxygenation of subsurface drip-irrigation water for cotton in a Vertosol. Crop and Pasture Science, 64(12), 1171-1181. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP13348
Persad, P., Sangster, N., Cumberbatch, E., Ramkhalawan, A., & Maharajh, A. (2011). Investigating the feasibility of solar powered irrigation for food crop production: A Caroni case. The Journal of the Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago, 40(2), 61-65.
Srivastava, R. C., Jain, S. K., & Chandra, R. (2020). Boating beyond sailing: Solar pump fitted boats in Samastipur, Bihar. In Compendium on solar powered irrigation systems in India (pp. 12-14). CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
Wu, I. P. (1997). An assessment of hydraulic design of micro-irrigation systems. Agricultural Water Management, 32(3), 275-284. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-3774(96)01270-X
Zhang, L., Fan, X., Wu, P., & Niu, W. (2009). Calculation of flow deviation rate of drip irrigation system taking three deviation rates into account on uniform slopes. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 25(4), 7-14.