Subsurface Drip Tape and Tubing Systems

Drip tape used to irrigate spinach. Photo: D Porter

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems can use either drip tape products or drip tubing systems with either in-line or built-in emitters. The "hard" drip tubing systems use the same type of drip tubing as used in surface drip systems. Because the drip tubing systems are substantially more expensive than the tape systems, they are mostly used for permanent crop (tree and vine) installations. Drip tubing systems are designed to last 10 to 20 years or more. SDI tubing systems are available with both pressure-compensating (PC) emitters or non-pressure-compensating (NPC) emitters.

Drip tape systems are most frequently used for row and field crops and you can expect the equipment to last for a season or a few years. Drip tapes are also available as pressure-compensating (PC) or non-pressure-compensating (NPC) tapes. NPC tapes are more commonly used due to their lesser expense.

For more information on evaluating SDI systems, click below.

Drip tubing SDI systems

Drip tape SDI systems