According to figures from 2023, drip irrigation currently covers more than one million hectares in Spain, representing around 40 per cent of the country’s total irrigated area. Furthermore, this figure is expected to continue rising in the coming years due to the need to tackle water scarcity and climate change.
Despite the current drought, this system has made it possible to maintain agricultural production in various regions of Spain, such as the Valencian Community, where some of the sharpest falls in rainfall have been recorded in recent years. In this region, the cultivation of citrus and tropical fruits – which are highly sensitive to water shortages – has benefited enormously from the use of drip irrigation.
However, the choice of emitter type can make the difference between a healthy, profitable crop and one that is not, with self-compensating drippers being one of the options favoured by farmers due to their unique characteristics and the benefits they bring to the crop.
Even so, there’s more!
Generally speaking, self-compensating drippers are classified into three main types: PC (self-compensating), AS (anti-siphon or anti-suction) and ND (anti-drain). Each has its own characteristics and benefits, and the right choice will depend on the specific needs of your crop and the design of the irrigation system. In this article, we will focus on the more technical and specialised drippers, AS and ND:
1. AS DRIPPER (anti-siphon or anti-suction)
AS self-compensating drippers are emitters used in underground or surface drip irrigation systems to prevent particles lying on top of the pipe from being sucked into the system. This type of dripper is installed on land with steep gradients or on plots where the operating pressure is not stable.
How AS drippers work:
When the water pressure fluctuates, the self-compensating mechanism automatically adjusts the internal silicone diaphragm to maintain a constant flow rate, whilst also preventing external particles from entering the labyrinth. This ensures an even distribution of water for the crop.
Our AS drippers are also designed with a 3D filter that prevents the dripper system from becoming blocked by particles suspended in the water, such as fertilisers, clay or microorganisms. This ensures the continuous operation of the irrigation system by preventing blockages.
Thanks to its anti-suction or anti-siphon mechanism, our PC700AS pipework is particularly well suited to safeguarding underground or surface irrigation systems; when combined with the only root-resistant solution on the market, RootGuard® technology – which comes with a 10-year guarantee against root intrusion – makes it the most attractive option.
2. ND drippers (anti-drip)
ND self-regulating drippers are irrigation emitters used in surface irrigation systems to prevent water from flowing back through the branch lines to the plants once irrigation has finished. This type of dripper is particularly useful on low-permeability soils, where water struggles to penetrate the ground, as well as for high-value crops and hydroponics, where we aim for optimal application of water and fertilisers.
How ND drippers work:
The design of the anti-drain emitter ensures that water is dispensed with greater precision, keeping the lateral lines under pressure once the irrigation period has ended, thanks to its unique sealing ring which closes off the inlet to the emitter.
ND drippers also feature a 3D filter that prevents blockages, ensuring the emitters function correctly and, consequently, extending the service life of our pipes.
For this reason, our PC700ND pipes are the most reliable option for pulsed irrigation, as they are capable of maintaining water pressure in the branch lines when irrigation stops, making them ideal for highly specialised crops such as avocados, citrus fruits or greenhouse-grown soft fruits.
The choice of self-compensating dripper will therefore depend on the specific needs of your crop and the layout of your system, whether it is underground or above-ground. By understanding the unique characteristics and benefits of each type of dripper, you will be able to make an informed decision that maximises your crop yield and the return on your investment.
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