CIT Drip and Micro-Irrigation Systems 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary water-saving advantage of drip irrigation over sprinkler irrigation?
- Higher flow rates deliver water faster
- Water is applied at the root zone, reducing evaporation and wind drift (Correct answer)
- Drip systems require no filters
- Drip systems operate at higher pressure
Correct answer: Water is applied at the root zone, reducing evaporation and wind drift
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root zone, significantly reducing losses from evaporation, wind drift, and surface runoff.
Question 2: What is a pressure-compensating (PC) drip emitter?
- An emitter that increases pressure along the line
- An emitter that maintains a constant flow rate across a range of inlet pressures (Correct answer)
- A backflow check valve
- A pressure gauge fitting
Correct answer: An emitter that maintains a constant flow rate across a range of inlet pressures
Pressure-compensating emitters deliver consistent flow rates (e.g., 1 GPH) across a wide pressure range, typically 15–45 PSI.
Question 3: What is the typical operating pressure range for drip irrigation systems?
- 80–100 PSI
- 40–60 PSI
- 15–30 PSI (Correct answer)
- 5–8 PSI
Correct answer: 15–30 PSI
Drip irrigation systems operate at 15–30 PSI, far lower than sprinkler systems, to deliver water slowly through small emitter orifices.
Question 4: What minimum mesh size filter is recommended upstream of drip emitters?
- 40-mesh
- 80-mesh
- 120-mesh (Correct answer)
- 200-mesh
Correct answer: 120-mesh
A minimum 120-mesh filter is recommended for drip emitters to capture fine particles that would clog the small emitter orifices.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a pressure regulator installed in a drip irrigation zone?
- Increase line pressure to the sprinklers
- Reduce and stabilize pressure to protect drip tubing and emitters (Correct answer)
- Measure total flow rate
- Prevent biological clogging
Correct answer: Reduce and stabilize pressure to protect drip tubing and emitters
A pressure regulator reduces incoming supply pressure to the correct operating range (15–30 PSI) to protect drip components from damage.
Question 6: What material is the flexible black mainline and lateral tubing used in most drip systems made of?
- Galvanized steel
- Polyethylene (poly) tubing (Correct answer)
- PVC schedule 40
- Copper pipe
Correct answer: Polyethylene (poly) tubing
Polyethylene (poly) tubing is the flexible plastic piping used as mainline and lateral distribution lines in drip irrigation systems.
CIT Drip and Micro-Irrigation Systems 1
What is the primary water-saving advantage of drip irrigation over sprinkler irrigation?