Drip-arrow micro-irrigation systems are widely used in agricultural irrigation due to their ease of use, energy efficiency, yield enhancement, high flexibility, and strong adaptability. To ensure that these systems perform optimally and to extend their service life, special attention must be paid during operation.
① First, in terms of its application scope, the drip arrow is primarily used as an irrigation emitter for potted crops. Taking floriculture as an example, prior to deploying drip-arrow micro-irrigation systems in potted-flower production, a thorough inspection of the drip arrows to be installed and laid out is essential. In addition, each drip arrow should be thoroughly inspected at the beginning of every production cycle. The drip-arc capillary tubing is laid out following the arrangement of the flower pots, after which each drip arrow is drawn off from the main capillary line and inserted into the appropriate position within the pot. Once installed, the positioning of the drip arrows generally remains relatively fixed throughout the production cycle; however, if the pots need to be relocated during the growing season, the longer capillary tubing typically used during installation allows for appropriate adjustment of the drip-arrow (irrigation emitter) positions.
② After each production cycle, every drip arrow must be carefully removed from the potting medium and thoroughly cleaned to prepare it for the next use. Although these tasks are low in physical intensity and straightforward to perform, the large workload and relative complexity make them time-consuming and labor-intensive components of the daily operation and maintenance of drip-arrow systems. Moreover, the frequent manual installation, removal, and cleaning can lead to equipment damage due to human error.
③ During the installation and removal of drip arrows, damage is inevitable; therefore, the frequency of installing, removing, and cleaning drip arrows should be minimized to extend product service life and reduce depreciation costs.
Therefore, when using drip-irrigation micro-sprinkler equipment, it is best to apply it to flower species with longer growth cycles.
④ After the drip-irrigation system has completed its production cycle, it shall be cleaned, dried, and properly maintained. If it is not to be immediately put into the next production run, it should be stored using appropriate methods. The drip-irrigation tubing should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated storage room, away from heat sources.