The star configuration of micro-tubes was found easy to handle
and economical, since one lateral manages four rows. This system
also has the similar issue of clogging as is the case with dripper type
drip irrigation system. It is easy to maintain against clogging caused
by physical particles by simply blowing air through the micro-tube.
The risk of clogging due to physical particles is, however, less in
present system since it usage surface water unlike dripper type
system which uses ground water where occurrence of suspended
particles are more. In case of surface water stored in small farm
ponds, the water mostly used during dry spellwhenmost of the suspended
particles settles down. Also the pumping system is of very
low capacity and so it does not cause suction of sediments through
foot valves while pumping. However, to reduce the risk of clogging
further, the water from top 3/4D (where D is the depth of the
pond) should be used. Secondly, this system should be used after
72 h of runoff generating rainfall events, the time during which the
sediments settle perfectly. It is suggested to run the system during
11am to 3 pm (4 h in a day) in order to achieve the full potential.
However, the timings can be changed as per the geographical
locations of the site to achieve the full potential. The design of
this system is specific to the farm size. Any change in farm size
eventually demanding changes in one or more design parameters
including pumping system, solar power generation unit, hydraulic
head, diameter of different pipe section and accordingly configuration.
However, the basic principle remains same that laminar flow
should be maintained in different pipe section.