Abundant Harvests: A Agricultural Blog

Every single part of an irrigation system is crucial to its performance. However, the pump is arguably the most important since it is charged with delivering water to an outlet. Therefore, it is essential to spend a little bit of time learning about irrigation pumps to make the right purchasing decision. This article highlights essential considerations that affect the choice of an irrigation pump.

Type of Soil -- One of the first things you must consider before buying an irrigation pump is the type of soil on your property. Different sites have varying soil types that affect a pump's performance, especially its run time. For instance, if you install a pump on a predominantly sandy site, you need frequent water application to maintain the desired moisture level in the root zone. Therefore, the pump you buy must contend with longer run times to keep the soil hydrated. However, if your farm is on clay soil, you do not have to worry about high evaporation rates since the soil holds moisture for longer. Consequently, a pump that supplies water at a lower rate is enough.

Water Quality -- Irrigation systems perform well when a pump is equipped with a filtration component. It is mainly the case for drip irrigation where emitters are susceptible to blockage by debris. Therefore, the quality of water you use to irrigate a farm largely determines the type of pump to buy. For example, if you will be pumping water directly from a river with silt, sand, and pebbles, you need a positive displacement water pump. The models are equipped with diaphragms that enable effective filtration of low-quality water. If the water source is contaminated, you need to treat it with chlorine, which is best done with a dosing pump that injects chlorine or other farm chemicals at designated intervals.

System Flow Requirements -- How big is your farm, and how many zones does it have? Typically, farms are divided into zones, and different sections are irrigated at different times. An expansive farm has several irrigation zones. In such a case, you need a powerful pump that can deliver water at high pressure to the furthest end of your farm. However, the flow requirements for a small farm are minimal, so the device required for a backyard garden or farm is smaller and less powerful since you only need to pump water over a small area.

To learn more, contact a resource that offers irrigation supplies.