PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

WICK IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMING

A Project Report Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of

BATCHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
AGRICULTURE ENGINEERING
by
K SWETHA (206T5A3536)
&
M SREELATHA (206T5A3557) M RACHEL (206T5A3553)
K VISWA TEJA (206T5A3540) S T FAROOQ HUSSIAN (206T5A3579)

Under the esteemed Guidance of Mr. P. Satish Reddy, M.TechAssoc Prof, Dept of
AGE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, PYDAH GROUP
(Approved by AICTE, New Delhi & Affiliated to JNTUK , Kakinada )
YANAM ROAD, PATAVALA[V]-5334612020-2023

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, PYDAH

PATAVALA-533461
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project work entitled “ WICK IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
FOR SUBSISTENCE FARMING” is being submitted for the partial fulfillment of
the requirement for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Technology in agricultural
engineering to pydah college of Engg, Patavala, is a Bonifide work done by
K.SWETHA[206T5A3536], M.SREELATHA[206T5A3557],
M.RACHEL[206T5A3553], K.VISWA TEJA[206T5A3540], FAROOQ
HUSSAIN[206T5A3579] under the guidance during the academic year
2020- 2023 and it has been found suitable for acceptance according to the
requirementof the University.
The results embodied in this thesis have not been submitted to any other
University or Institute for the award of any degree or diploma.

Project submitted for the exam held on…………………………

Project guide Head of

the Department

External examiner

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT[S]

We profoundly grateful to express my deep sense of gratitude and respect towards my

guide Mr. P. Satish Reddy sir, Associate Professor and HOD of the AGE, pydah
college of engineering, patavala for his excellence guidance right from selection of the
project and his valuable suggestions throughout the project work His constant
encouragement and support and has been the cause of my success, in completing this
thesis in the college.
We are thankful to Dr. P. V. Surya Prakash sir, Principal, pydah college of
engineering, patavala for his support during and till completing of the project.
We extend our sincere thanks to K.S Vinay sir, project coordinator of AGE, pydah
college of engineering foe his support and encouragement for the completion of our
project work.
We are thankful to management, all the teaching and non-teaching staff of
agricultural engineering department, pydah college of engineering, patavala and our
friends for their direct and indirect help provided to us in completing the project.
Last but not least, I own all my success to all my family members, classmates, teachers
from my childhood whose vision, love and inspiration made us to reach out for these
glories.

-Project associates

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

CONTENTS

Name of the content Page No.

1. Title Name

2. Abstract

3. Literature survey

4. Introduction ……………………………………... 08

5. Key identification ……………………………………...

6. Wick irrigation ……………………………………… 09

6.1 Definition ………………………………………

6.2 Components ……………………………………… 11

6.3 How to implement ………………………………………

6.4 Beneficial of crop …………………………………….... 13

6.5 Advantages & Dis-Advantages …………………………

7. Result of conclusion ……………………………………. 14

8. Bibliography ……………………………………. 15

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TABLES AND DIAGRAMS:

Table Name & No. Page No.

1. Specification of PVC PIPES 40 & 80 schedule

Table[1] ………………………………….. 11

2. Pump specifications

Table[2] …………………………………. 12

DIAGRAMS :

1. Diagrams of wick irrigation components

Fig[a] Fertilizer system ……………………………. 09

Fig[b] Brick …………………………….

Fig[c] PVC pipes ……………………………. 10

Fig[d] Fertilizer system …………………………….

Fig[e] Motor .……………………………

Fig[f] Wick …………………………….

Fig[g] Aerator ……………………………..

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ABSTRACT

High-Tech efficient irrigation methods like and drip and sprinkler methods require high
installations cost and cannot be operated and maintain without skilled Labour hints, there
is dire need for simple, small scale, efficient low cost and locally made irrigation
methods Irrigation and small scale farms has been noted key method to help lift
subsistence farmers out of poverty. With water scarcity growing around the globe and lack
of access to electricity still prevalent in rural areas the need to develop and energy
efficient irrigation system that simultaneous limits wasted water while being low cost is
essential. The possibility of using a wicking irrigation system the relies on the succession
plants create for water to mitigate the pumping pressure is investigated. A theoretical
model for such a system is developed for an acre sized wicking irrigation system and the
power and water efficiency is compared to a standard drip irrigation system. The main
usage of this wick irrigation system is when compared to other systems of irrigation, the
water requirement in this system is comparatively low. The power requirement is too
low. The distribution of water is greater from the wicks when compared to the dripper
system .Wick irrigation system results in good crop yield and good productivity. The
wick irrigation is only applicable for small scale agriculture. It is ideal for small farmers
living in small remote areas.

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

LITERATURE SURVEY;
1. JOSEPH KAMALAM-----“With wick irrigation, crop per drop is made easier with
lowrequirement of water. Majorly applicable for small scale agriculture’’.
2. FERRAREZI et al -----"He suggested that the requirement of man power is low, electrical
power requirement is comparatively low. It is mostly suitable in high temperature areas.”

KEYWORDS—Wick Irrigation, drip irrigation, sustainable small scale irrigated

agriculture , irrigation efficiency ,Soil texture , field drainage system.

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INTRODUCTION

India largely depends upon on farming for the livelihood. In India rain fed areas that do
not have any irrigation facilities for 60 % of area of the cultivated areas majorly for the
rural poor and major farmers of the country. The main problems of the dependence on
irrigated agriculture are the low irrigation efficiency, high saline irrigation water, heavy
soil texture and lack of adequate field drainage systems. In the current market the high
usage of drip irrigation is mostly available and suitable for cultivation for the cultivation
of large fields, the installation cost is too high, impractical for farmers. Mostly in India,
the farmers are small and medium ,so, In-order to regret the problem of irrigation, low
cost systems those are technically less complicated and less confusing should be
designed to suit the small and medium farmers. Water conservation in agriculture for the
small and medium farmers with due consideration for its sustainability that is affordable
by small farmers will meet the both issues of water scarcity and the problems of small
and medium farmers. One of the engineering way to overcome the issues of small and
medium farmers, for producing more crop per drop using “WICK IRRIGATION”. The
wicks the water from the container into the soil provides a slow steady source of water
to encourage root development and plant growth. JOSEPH KAMALAM (2011) has
carried out experiments on ‘ wick irrigation’ during the past many years. Then followed
by him another person FERRAREZI et al(2016) suggested that ‘wick irrigation’ can be
effectively employed in the regions having high temperatures, limited man power and
electrical power. This method is suggested as an alternate method for drip and sprinkler
irrigation.

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

WICK IRRIGATION

Wick irrigation is a low cost irrigation technology which reduces the water consumption
for agriculture In great extent. It is specially designed for terrace cultivation of
vegetables in grow bags.

WHAT IS WICK IRRIGATION?

The main component of the irrigation system is the wick, it consists of folded
glass wool inserted in a piece of plastic net of length and widths through a hole at the
bottom of the grow bag. About 3/4th of its length goes up to the surface of the soil while
the rest is inserted in the pipe containing water .The wick sucks up the amount of water
needed onlyfor the plant under the capillary action.

COMPONENTS :

1. WICK 2. GROW BAG 3. RESERVOIR/PVC PIPE 4. AERATION SYSYTEM

5. BRICKS 6. FERTILIZER SYSTEM 7. PUMP

Fig[a] GROW BAG Fig[b] BRICK

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

Fig[d] FERTILIZER
Fig[c] PVC PIPES SYSTEM

Fig[e] MOTOR Fig[f] WICK

Fig[g] AERATOR

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

1. GROW BAG

The Grow bag in wick irrigation system contains growing medium, which is filled with
soil and manure. Seedlings are directly Transplanted into the grow bag. Thebest kind of
growing medium to use in this system is that will not drain too fast and will utilize the
Capillary action of the wick most effectively.

2. PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) PIPES

The PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) pipes are used supply the water and Nutrients to the
plants with the help of pumping motor. Holes are placed on the surface of the pipe at
equal spacing. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or thermoplastic pipe is exactly manufactured
by a continuous extruding process which produces a strong seamless pipe that is
chemically resistant, lightweight, and that minimizes friction loss. PVC pipe is
produced in many sizes, grades and specifications.

Table-01 Specifications of PVC PIPE of 40 & 80 schedule

Pressure rating for schedule 40 & schedule 80 PVC

Pipes Diameter[inches] max. operating pressure max. operating
For 40 for 80
3 840 1200
4 710 1040
6 560 890
8 500 790
10 450 750
12 420 730

3. AERATOR

The Aerator is used to passes the air or blows out tiny bubbles to distribute oxygen
through the water. It is essential to the health of the plants that their Roots are
oxygenated. In Wick system the aeration system is especially important because the
roots never have a chance to dry out completely.

4. WICKS

The PVC pipe is connected to the grow bag by one or two wicks. The Wicks utilize
capillary action to transport nutrient solution into the growing medium and to the roots
ofthe plant. The easiest wick to use is a cotton rope, it can be susceptible to mold.
Alternatively, Nylon rope is very effective and does not mold.

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5. BRICKS

Bricks are used in wick irrigation system for the purpose of to reduce the load pressure
ofgrow bag will not effect the structure of the water carrying pipe. Two bricks are placed
at the bottom of the grow bag.

6. MOTOR

Motor is used to pumping the water to the irrigation system. The motor provides the
energy to the pump which will create the required water head pressure.

Specifications of Pump: TABLE-[2]

MODEL 25-125 - -

WEIGHT 55 KGS - -

SIZE 330×400×200mm - -

POWER 1 Hp [0.75 KW] - -

PHASE 3-PHASE - -

INPUT AC 220V, 230V, - -

VOLTAGE 240V, 380V.

INPUT 50 Hz, 60Hz - -

FREQUENCY

FLOW [min- 2.8 𝒎𝟑 /hr 4.0 𝒎𝟑 /hr 5.2 𝒎𝟑 /hr

max]
HEAD [min - 20.6 m 20.0 m 18.0 m
max]
MOTOR 2900 rpm - -
SPEED

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

7. FERTILIZER SYSTEM

Fertilizer system is used to supply the nutrients to the plants in grow bag along the water
line pipe. Generally the fertilizer system is placed in underground to prevent the
atmosphere reactions.

HOW TO IMPLEMENT?

The growing medium in Grow bag containing the plant will be kept on two bricks so
that the load pressure of grow bag will not affect the structure of water carrying pipe. the
spacing between each hole in pipe is equally maintained. the measured quantity of water
can supplied through the valve fixed at the one end of the pipe. the wick would absorb
water through capillary force into the grow bag without wasting a drop.

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Fig[1] : WICK IRRIGATION SYSTEM

Beneficial crops for Wick Irrigation

All crops which can grow in Grow Bags.
Example: Tomato, Brinjal, Lady`s finger, Chilly, Beans etc.

ADVANTAGES
 No electric power is required.
 Low cost compared to other irrigational systems.
 It is very helpful for farmers to raise vegetable crops during summer season.
 Water loss due to evaporation, deep percolation and wind drift is negligible compared
toother surface irrigational systems.
 All crops get equal amount of water which ensure the augmented crop growth.
 High water efficiency as well as fertilizer efficiency.
 Method can be adopted by poor rich and old peoples.

DISADVANTAGES
 This system not suited for large plants.

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The experimentation confirmed the fact that wick irrigation as an indigenous method can
be successfully employed even for unfavorable land and waste.

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PYDAH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BTECH-AGE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Boeing subsidiary Spectro lab sets world record for solar cell efficiency.
http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43item=2645
2. India.
3. J-SC-PC Plus Emitters. http://www.jains.com/irrigation/emitters
4. Water Scarcity. http://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/scarcity.shtml.
5. Sim Sphere Workbook: Chapter 10, August 2003.
https://courseware.eeducation.psu.edu/simsphere/workbook/chlO.html
6. R.G. Allen, L.S. Pereira, D. Rae’s, and M. Smith. Crop evapotranspiration - guidelines for
computing crop water requirements. Irrigation and drainage paper 56, Food and
agriculture organization of the united nations, 1998.
7. Singh A. K. et al. “small holders’ irrigation -problems and options”, water resources
management, vol. 23(2),2009, pp 289-302.
8. Kamalam joseph https//www.thehindu.com Centre for water resource development and
management.
9. David A. Bain Bridge-https;//www.academia.edu.

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