Subsurface Drip Most Efficient, Study Concludes

A U.S. Department of Agriculture study examining four means of irrigating juvenile peach trees (furrow, microject, surface drip, and subsurface drip) has concluded that trees irrigated by subsurface drip systems were the best at getting water to tree roots. Microsprayers were the poorest performers, judging by the smaller fruit produced by the trees so irrigated. The microsprayer results may be due in part to the lack of shade in young orchards and the subsequent increase in evaporation of water from the jets.

Trees irrigated by the surface and subsurface drip also outperformed the furrow method.

The study was in conjunction with the Center for Irrigation Technology and the Agricultural Research Initiative.

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