2014 MACHINE FOR INSTALLING SUBSURFACE IRRIGATION TUBES

Approximately 40% of the agricultural area is currently irrigated worldwide. Population growth, the impact of the environment on humans and the effects of climate change make it increasingly necessary to produce more and more food with scarce resources such as arable land and water.
In Germany there is a considerable need for efficient irrigation systems in horticulture, in the area of public green areas, but also in private gardens. In developing countries, efficient and cost-effective irrigation procedures contribute to food safety, economic growth and the sustainable use of natural resources. The aim of this research is to develop a machine able to place subsurface porous irrigation tubes into the soil of greenhouses and garden plants economically. Two major innovations are to be developed: the technology of the tension-free and kink-free laying of the sensitive tubes and the capillary connection of these tubes to the ground.

Such a machine for underfloor irrigation systems is not available today.

Development and construction of a machine for installing subsurface irrigation tubes with :
a) easy  handling and economically afordable
b) possibility to vary the laying depth depending on soil type
c) possibility to vary the tube spacing depending on the type of cultivated plants

supported by :

Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWI) im Zentralen Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand (ZIM)

responsible : Dr. Andrea Dührkoop