SUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION on alfalfa farm

Jaume Ros

Located in Balaguer, Lleida (Spain), the 40-hectare alfalfa farm of producer Jaume Ros is an exemplary example of the positive impact that the alfalfa farming system has on the environmentSUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION (RGS)can have in modern agriculture. Since its adoption in 2015, this system has brought numerous benefits, significantly transforming the production and efficiency of alfalfa farming on this extensive farm.

Location: Lleida
Cultivation: Alfalfa

The challenge

With slopes of up to 8 meters in its terrain, the estate of Jaume Ros facedwater management and yield per hectare challenges. The desire tooptimize the use of water and fertilizers led to the search for an Irrigation solution that would maximize production and that would be resistant and durable over time.

On the other hand, they had to solveproblems caused by the wind and avoid runoff, something that was very complicated to deal with with their old sprinkler irrigation system.

In addition, having surface elements made planting and harvesting the alfalfa more difficult, so they were looking for a solution that would facilitate maintenance and work on the farm.

The solution

From AZUD we recommend the installation in the farm of the system ofSUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION.

The DripperAZUD PREMIER PC ASspecifically designed forSUB-SURFACE DRIP IRRIGATION (RGS)emerged as the ideal solution. This Dripline features pressure-compensating and anti-siphon technology, which prevents the infiltration of particles into the dripper at the end of irrigation. Jaume Ros, after implementing this system, was able to directly compare his production with RGS versus other traditional methods, such as sprinkler irrigation.

This subway irrigation system has allowed water and fertilizers to reach the roots of the crop directly, maximizing absorption and avoiding evaporation losses and uniformity problems caused by wind. In addition, as the Driplines are buried, there are no surface elements, which has greatly facilitated agricultural work.