Thesis Abstract

The drip irrigator is an important device which helps to provide more yield for same plant and also enables continuous and maximum crop production throughout the year be it winter or summer by supplying the right amount of water needed by plants for optimum performance. The drip irrigator can also be adapted for other applications such as pest control, weed control etc. This device is more convenient to operate and maintain since the function of the lever bar is replaced by a battery powered pump. The device was able to discharge 1 liter in 2 seconds and thus discharging the whole volume of the reservoir (16 liters) in 32 seconds. The pressure inside the reservoir is 4139.82N/M2.

  The work also looked at various problems encountered during the construction process and proposes solutions and recommendation to surmount the difficulties.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

Irrigation is the controlled application of water for agricultural purposes through manmade systems to supply water requirements not satisfied by rainfall. Crop irrigation is vital throughout the whole world in other to provide the world’s ever growing populations with enough food. The role of irrigation is to supply each plant with just the right amount of water it needs. Many different irrigation methods are used worldwide, including; centre pivot, drip, flood, furrow, gravity, rotation, sprinkler, sub irrigation, travelling gun etc.

The improved multipurpose drip irrigator is designed to improve fluid discharge efficiency and contribute substantially to improve crop productivity. The drip irrigation is a type of pressurized irrigation that involves applying liquid directly to the plant’s root using mechanical and hydraulic devices, thereby reducing the amount of water loss due to evaporation effect. This device is highly used in irrigation which replenishes the nutrients consumed by the crops or provides water required for softening the soil to make it workable for agricultural activities. The goal of irrigation is to supply each plant with just the right amount of water and nutrients needed.

Various designs of irrigation devices for micro irrigation scheme have inadequate design consideration with designers not really taking into account the kind of materials used in fabrication, as well as the headaches faced by the operators of this piece of equipment in moving the rocker bar up and down continuously to create a pressure difference throughout the period of irrigation. Designers also more often don’t adapt the equipment for other purposes like weed control pest control etc. Finally one major problem associated with most of the irrigation devices is the inefficiency of water getting to the plant root due to evaporation on the soil surface, thus the need for a modification in this project.

The ultra aim is to increase crop yield as a contribution to agricultural development. Also specific objectives are outlined below

1. To construct a device that makes localized surface irrigation easier. Installation and maintenance costs are reduced compared to an underground irrigation system.
2. To construct a device that will improve agricultural productivity by ensuring more yields for same plant and reduced time for products to grow to maturity.
3. To reduce the stress of moving the rocker bar up and down continuously in order to create a pressure difference between the inside of the cylinder and the outside which will otherwise cause tiredness to the individual.
4. To improve efficiency and life span of the equipment by proper selection of materials.
5. To increase discharge efficiency and proper absorption of water by plant roots.
6. To provide a means of water intercession for crops during drought period

The study involves an x-ray of various devices used for micro irrigation. It also covers conceptual and detailed design of the question. It covers the detailed drawing, construction, costing and testing of the device.

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of this project work includes:

1. It will add to on-going research on micro irrigation
2. It will serve as a reference tool to other researchers who are interested in this subject matter

It will x-ray the areas that need to be improved