Management options for drip irrigation in Bundaberg area were evaluated and
details of commercial management practices are considered. Trials comparing deep
and shallow placement of drip tubing showed that both are satisfactory for the soil
types tested. More frequent watering is necessary if deep tape placement is used on
sandy soils, and water use may be less efficient. A commonly used cheaper alternative
- second-hand tape on the soil surface - is described. Fertigation through the
drip tape showed no difference in crop response compared to conventional solid fertiliser
application, and may be more practical and convenient in some situations.
Drip was found to be more efficient than furrow irrigation; but differences under
trial conditions were not as marked as those under commercial conditions, where it
may not be possible to operate furrow irrigations as efficiently. The standard row
spacing of 1.5 m and a 1.65 m spacing showed similar yields, and adoption of the
1.65 m spacing would result in a cost saving of 10% for drip tubing. A range of
management practices for drip irrigation are discussed including filtration, chlorination,
irrigation scheduling, automation and aspects of system design.