Avaliação hidráulica de um sistema de irrigação de baixo custo (bubbler adaptado) para a agricultura familiar

Abstract

Brazilian family farming has significant importance in the development of the country, it is the basis for the original families who live in the countryside. However, it is necessary to develop alternative technologies to improve production systems for family farming through the development of techniques and management to improve cultural practices, soil and water management. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the hydraulic performance of the bubbler irrigation system under low pressure, as an alternative technology for family farming. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme with the application of 4 gauge pressures (0.55; 0.7; 0.85 and 1 m.c.a.) and 5 longitudinal slopes of the microtubes along the lateral lines (0; 2.5; 5; 7.5 and 10 mm/m), with 4 repetitions. The hydraulic performance of the bubbler system was evaluated by the indicators: average flow of the emitters, Christiansen uniformity coefficient, distribution uniformity coefficient, water application efficiency and flow coefficient of variation. The adapted bubbler system reached performance levels considered satisfactory for localized irrigation, when submitted to service pressures between 0.7 and 1 m.c.a. The gradual longitudinal slopes applied to the water emitters along the lateral line of the bubbler system corrected the head losses, increasing the efficiency of water application.