Maximum length of subsurface drip irrigation laterals subjected to backpressure.

To achieve a better SDI system design, the emitters' hydraulic characteristics and the flowrate uniformity along lateral lines under backpressure influence must be known. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of backpressure on the maximum length of irrigation laterals using two types of emitters (pressure-compensating and nonpressure-compensating) in different situations. Data from a field experiment combined with information obtained from a previously published paper was used, that tested driplines hydraulics behavior influenced by backpressure.