Modeling the Wetting Patterns in Cultivation Substrates under Drip Irrigation

Liu, Z.; Li, P.; Hu, Y., and Wang, J., 2015. Modeling the wetting patterns in cultivation substrates under drip irrigation.

Information on the depths and widths of the wetted zone of substrate is a pre-requisite for the design and operation of drip irrigation systems. A semi-empirical model was developed using the dimensional analysis method to simulate the geometry of wetted substrate zone under drip irrigation. The simulated values of the wetted width and wetted depth were compared with those obtained through field experiments to test model applicability. Statistical analysis revealed that the values of Mean Square Error, Mean Error and Model Efficiency were 1.11 cm, 0.53 cm and 80.6% at least respectively. For the prediction of wetted width and depth of substrate T₁ and T₂, therefore, the develop model can be used to describe wetted substrate patterns under drip irrigation system with an emitter.