Greenhouse and tunnel cultivation with drip irrigation technology is considered an essential pathway for the modernization of agricultural production, offering significant advantages. However, there are several challenges currently facing the development of drip irrigation in greenhouse cultivation, including issues related to planning and design, equipment quality, and management practices. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the widespread adoption and advancement of drip irrigation technology in greenhouse cultivation.
1. Quality Issues with Drip Irrigation Equipment
Since the introduction of drip irrigation technology, there has been significant progress in the domestic production of drip irrigation equipment in China. However, certain key components, such as pivot equipment and automatic control devices, still lag behind similar advanced products from abroad. Overall, there is a lack of product variety, standardization, and low compatibility with other equipment.
The quality of domestically produced drip heads, drip tapes, or drip pipes is inconsistent, particularly concerning pressure compensation, clogging resistance, water distribution uniformity, and material durability. Additionally, the poor compatibility of pipe materials often leads to leakage. The prevalent use of screen filters as the primary filtration method results in short filter lifespans and suboptimal filtering performance, leading to clogging of emitters and, in some cases, rendering the entire irrigation system unusable. Moreover, the widespread use of pressure-compensating fertilizers suffers from poor sealing and inconsistent fertilization concentration. The lack of effective quality control institutions and standardized pricing, coupled with inadequate after-sales services, further hinders the smooth development of drip irrigation technology.
As a sophisticated precision irrigation technique, drip irrigation imposes stringent requirements on equipment quality. While imported drip irrigation equipment offers superior quality, its adoption is limited due to cost considerations. Therefore, the majority of drip irrigation projects rely on domestically manufactured or foreign-made essential components, which remains a sustainable approach. Consequently, it is imperative to enhance the technological and overall quality of drip irrigation equipment, develop a range of new products, and improve compatibility to meet growing demands.
2. Equipment Management Issues
Despite the significant history of drip irrigation development, some regions with earlier adoption of drip irrigation face challenges in equipment management. Many farmers abandon drip irrigation systems shortly after installation, either by removing drip tapes or reverting to flood irrigation, primarily due to poor management practices.
During the initial stages of planning drip irrigation projects, local authorities and farmers often display high enthusiasm, investing in materials and expediting installation. However, after the project’s completion, some local authorities fail to establish specialized technical management organizations, leading to inadequate supply and maintenance of equipment. Farmers, lacking technical support, are unable to manage the new technology effectively. Proper maintenance, including regular cleaning of filters and drip tapes, is essential to prevent clogging and system failure. Additionally, issues related to property rights and inadequate farmer engagement contribute to the abandonment of drip irrigation systems in some regions.
3. Design Flaws
In certain rural areas, grassroots water management departments lack technical expertise, resulting in poorly designed drip irrigation projects or the absence of design altogether. Projects are often hastily installed by temporary labor teams, compromising quality. Furthermore, cost-cutting measures sometimes lead to the selection of low-quality, inexpensive micro-irrigation equipment or the omission of essential components, such as pressure regulators, filters, and fertilization devices, resulting in poor system compatibility and uneven water distribution.
4. Technical Usage Issues
Many completed projects fail to establish appropriate drip irrigation and fertilization protocols, often adhering to traditional irrigation practices, which diminishes the technology’s advantages. Farmers continue to use outdated irrigation methods, resulting in excessive water application and inconsistent watering, negating the benefits of drip irrigation. Moreover, despite the provision of fertilization devices, many farmers neglect their use, preferring manual fertilization methods. The use of solid fertilizers, which require pre-dissolution, increases the risk of emitter clogging and limits fertilizer application. Therefore, adopting drip irrigation necessitates a shift in traditional irrigation and fertilization practices to fully leverage its benefits.
Addressing these four primary issues is essential for overcoming the challenges in the development of drip irrigation technology in greenhouse cultivation. As greenhouse cultivation becomes increasingly prevalent in rural areas, effective management and cultivation techniques will mature, emphasizing the importance of drip irrigation as a sustainable water-saving irrigation technology that every farmer should master.
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