Subtopic: Advantages and filtration in drip irrigation
Question Statement:
Which of the following statements regarding drip / trickle irrigation systems is/are TRUE?
Options:
(A) Water is applied directly to the crop root zone at low pressure and low discharge rates
(B) Hydrocyclone (sand separator) filters are specifically designed to remove heavy inorganic sand and silt particles
(C) Media (gravel/sand) filters are essential when using surface water containing organic matter, algae, and suspended biological debris
(D) Drip irrigation cannot be used with saline water under any circumstance
Answer Key:
A, B, C
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
1. Drip applies precise drops directly to the plant root zone (A is true).
2. Hydrocyclone centrifugal separators drop heavy mineral particles by vortex action (B is true).
3. Media filters trap organic and biological flocs in deep sand beds (C is true).
4. Drip irrigation is uniquely suited for saline water because high frequency wetting keeps matric potential near zero, minimizing total soil water tension and pushing salts to the periphery of the wetting bulb (D is false).