Trickle irrigation

Abstract

A low pressure, trickle irrigation system and a method of irrigating utilizing the system are provided. The irrigation system includes a head control device for controlling the head of water providing pressure to the system with a water inlet to the head control device, and a pump operatively connected to the water inlet. A buried, generally horizontal main line is operatively connected to the bottom of the head control device, the main line of relatively thin-wall large diameter PVC pipe. A plurality of lateral lines are provided above the main line directly connected to the main line and also buried underground, and extending generally horizontally generally perpendicular to the main line and composed of PVC pipe having a diameter smaller than that of the main line. A plurality of open-top emitters are directly connected to each of the lateral lines and extend generally upwardly therefrom so that the open tops thereof are all above ground and at substantially the same height above sea level (taking into account head losses). A flush pipe is directly connected to each of the lateral lines, the flush pipe having a cap for releasably closing the open top thereof, and extending above the ground a distance smaller than the distance any emitter associated with the system extends above the ground.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.