is helping to improve the quality of the environment

Vol. 33, No 2, 2013
is helping to improve the quality of the environment
Contents
Vol 33. No 2/2013
ISSN 0334-5807
Vol. 33, No 2, 2013
is helping to improve the quality of the environment
cover_2.2013_ENG.indd 1
7/25/13 4:21 PM
ON THE COVER
Metzerplas is helping to improve the
quality of the environment
The photovoltaic system that has been
installed on the Metzerplas roof will make
about 2,500 KW of renewable energy daily
for the Israeli Electric Company just by
turning sunlight into electricity. The size
of the roof is 7,000 sqm. and the system
size is 500 KW.
In the background you see the Kibbutz
Metzer fields that are irrigated by
the waste water collected in
the kibbutz’s reservoir and served by
Metzerplas irrigation systems.
See cover Story on page 26
www.metzerplas.com
4
12
18
22
29
36
40
44
Chinese plastic pipe makers faced
with a dual challenge
In this article we explain how the
Chinese plastic pipe manufacturing
industry has had to cope with the
significant growth in demand for their
products as their the local economy
experiences tremendous growth and
how they are meeting with quality
standards
International Water Report
International Product Review
Nanoscavengers expected to be
a key player in next-generation
water purification systems
Australia expects the private
sector to take an increasing
role in the next generation
of water technology
WORLD
HEADQUARTERS:
P.O. Box 21349,
Tel Aviv 61212, Israel
Tel: 972-3-6959352
Fax:972-3-6956116
E-mail: [email protected]
www.intwater.com
Chinese plastic pipe makers
faced with a dual challenge
Managing Director:
Erika Cohen
Group Editor:
Amir Cohen
Editor:
Albert Hecht
Administration:
Arik Segal
Production Director:
Nirit Haker
Magazine Operation
and Marketing:
Orit Kaplan
Effect of irrigation on
processed tomato yield and
antioxidant components
Nanoscavengers expected to be
a key player in next-generation
water purification systems
In this article we provide insights
into some exciting research where
nanoparticles with large magnetic
cores and functional capping layers
could seen be leading the way in
global water purification
Understanding costs and energy
consumption in landscapes
gardens using sprinkler irrigation
Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects
Fresh Weight and Dry Matter
Concentration in Hayward Kiwifruit
3
Effect of irrigation on processed
tomato yield and antioxidant
components
In this article we compare irrigation
methods that have been proven to
have a direct effect not only on the yield
of processed tomatoes but also on their
antioxidant component make ups
International Water Report
Netafim Wins 2013
Stockholm Industry
Water Award
etafim, the pioneer and global
leader in drip and micro-irrigation
technology and the world s largest
irrigation company, has been named
the 0
tockholm Industry ater
Award laureate. etafim will receive
the prestigious award at a
orld
ater eek ceremony in tockholm
on eptember .
onoring the business sector s
contribution to sustainable water
management, the award is granted
by the
tockholm International
ater Institute in collaboration with
the
oyal
wedish Academy of
Engineering ciences and the orld
usiness Council for
ustainable
evelopment. The award recognizes
improved performance in production
processes, new products, and
management, as well as innovative
approaches in water and wastewater
technologies, which together help
improve the world s water situation.
inning the prestigious international
award is testimony to
etafim s
sustainable water management
achievements and contribution to
mitigating the world s hunger problem.
etafim was founded by ibbutz
atzerim in
in response to the
water shortage in Israel, particularly
in the egev desert. Today, over
0 million hectares of farmland are
irrigated with drip irrigation. rip helps
growers worldwide increase their
yields while minimizing utilization of
the planet s finite resources - water,
energy and arable land. elping the
world grow more with less re ects
the Company s essence and the
benefits of drip irrigation.
etafim s global presence enables
the Company to make a significant
impact on water usage by growers
throughout the world. The Company
operates
manufacturing plants in orth and outh America, Europe
and Asia, including Israel - and
serves an ever-increasing number of
growers in over 00 countries. As a
company primarily involved in saving
water for agricultural purposes,
etafim actively participates in
international organizations dedicated
to implementing recommended water
usage practices. The Company is
part of the global effort promoting
sustainable water management.
In this capacity, etafim partners
with leading food and beverage
corporations
to
ensure
the
deployment of efficient water usage
methods throughout the value chain.
In addition, etafim cooperates with
international societal organizations,
governments
and
academic
institutions, participates in global
forums aimed at improving water
usage efficiency in agriculture, and
is a member of the
CE
ater
Mandate.
An independent panel of judges
comprised of professors and scientists
reviewed nominees for the tockholm
award. The panel examined several
areas, and confirmed
etafim s
leadership position compared to the
other nominees. The panel found
that etafim s products are not only
innovative, but also efficient. The
panel also determined that etafim s
products are effective under varying
weather conditions throughout the
4
world, declaring that the deployment of
etafim s drippers greatly contributes
to the water environment on a local,
regional and global level. In addition,
etafim s activities encourage other
companies to improve performance,
while the Company is actively
involved in social and environmental
responsibility.
lobally, 70 percent of our finite
freshwater is used for irrigation, and
with rapidly expanding demand for
agricultural products, there is a dire
need to improve water productivity,
said the tockholm Industry ater
Award Committee in its citation.
etafim s remarkable achievements,
helping farmers across the world to
grow more with less, are directly
contributing to a more water- and
food-secure world.
e are truly
honored to receive
the 0
tockholm Industry
ater Award, said
- Igal Aisenberg,
etafim resident
CE ., As the
Igal Aisenberg,
global
pioneer and
e fi
President & CEO. leader in drip
irrigation, we have
always focused on saving water.
ith water and land scarcity topping
the list of today s major global
challenges, e re leveraging our
expertise and experience in drip
technology to help combat food price
in ation, ensure food security, and
achieve water sustainability. This
prestigious award is testimony to
our efforts, and inspires our work to
continue to help reduce water usage
and make the world a better, more
sustainable place.
As a veteran of
etafim and as an
Israeli, I m proud of
our receiving this
award, said aty
arak, etafim
Chief ustainability
Naty Barak, Chief
fficer. rip
Sustainability
irrigation, which
Officer
originated in
Israel s egev and spread to the
entire world, provides a solution for
the world s most difficult challenges.
wners
of
large
sugarcane
plantations in outh America, corn
growers in the
, and povertystricken smallholders in
enya,
razil and India use our drip irrigation
technology to achieve greater yields
while saving water. Along with our
feeling of pride for receiving the award,
we recognize that there s a long road
ahead of us, and we re determined
to continue leading the way. ince
its establishment by the tockholm
ater
oundation in
000, the
tockholm Industry ater Award has
been awarded annually to companies
whose business activities contribute
to the world s water situation. etafim
joins a respectable list of previous
award winners including epsiCo,
estle, rocter
amble, public
authorities, and other large private
and public-sector bodies.
www.netafim.com
5
Sydney Water
in a move to
predict water pipe
breakages
ydney ater has teamed up with
ational ICT Australia (NICTA) to
predict water pipe breakages before
they happen using ICTA s machine
learning technology.
ydney ater has teamed up with
ational ICT Australia (NICTA) to
predict water pipe breakages before
they happen using ICTA s machine
learning technology.
The utility company will use a
computer modeling based approach
which analyses water pipe data to
estimate the likelihood of failure.
According
to
ydney
ater,
Australia s water mains break on
average 7000 times each year, and
computer modeling could potentially
save
water
utility
companies
700 million a year in repairs and
maintenance.
A
spokesperson
for
ICTA s
infrastructure, transport and logistics
division, said the technology had
been recently trialed in ollongong
and was shown to able to predict
breaks with twice the precision of
the existing technology.
ICTA is applying advance machine
learning techniques to pipe failure
data from
ydney
ater, the
spokesperson summed up.
The approach in predicting water
pipe breakages could be applied to
other infrastructure failure prediction,
such as bridges.
ICTA and ydney ater are jointly
covering the cost of the project,
estimated to reach as high as
700,000.
California’s Merced
Irrigation District’s
irrigation sale off to
slow start
eading into a likely bone-dry
growing season, Merced Irrigation
istrict MI
officials are offering
a new program for farmers who are
willing to pay for extra water.
armers have placed orders for only
about half of the available supply,
but irrigation officials said the pilot
program has been
extremely
successful and will continue into the
future.
After the driest anuary and ebruary
on record, it was no surprise when the
MI and many other water providers
around the state issued strict limits on
how much water farmers could order
this season.
In March, the MI issued a cap on
water deliveries of . acre-feet per
acre. rowers in El ido get half of
that allotment, under an annexation
agreement. An acre-foot of water
covers an acre of land one foot deep.
At the same time, the district rolled out
its new supplemental-groundwater
program to help farmers get through
the tough season, making an
additional 0,000 acre-feet of water
available.
To pay for the cost of pumping the
groundwater, the supplemental water
is 7 . an acre-foot. The standard
rate is
. an acre-foot.
armers are using the program, but
are limiting their orders because of
the cost, according to some of the
farmers in the Merced s jurisdiction
with a few admitting that they had
partially taken up the option, while
other stating that the offer was far
from being cost effective, with a lot
of fresh water wells around , which
worked out cheaper to operate.
owever there were other farmers
who complained that as they had no
access to a water well, they had no
option.
According to MI officials, there are
still 0,000 acre-feet of supplemental
water available.
Singapore sets aside
S$132m over next
3 years for water
research
ver the next three years, the
anyang Technological niversity will
6
be getting another
million for
its water research institute, bringing
its total funding to about
00
million by the end of 0 .
The funds are from the government,
as well as multinational corporations
and small and medium enterprises,
signaling closer collaboration with
industry.
ewage and industrial wastewater
may not seem that different to the
layman.
ut researchers have said industrial
wastewater normally contains waste
that is specific to the industry, which
then requires specialised treatment
systems.
The new wave in water purification
techniques now is how to refine
biomimetic membranes - said to be
the next generation of membranes
which are based on proteins.
The challenge for researchers is how
to lower energy consumption in the
process of purifying water.
A spokesperson for the anyang
Environment and
ater esearch
Institute E
I , said: that ironically,
to treat wastewater - because it
needs energy to do so - there is in
fact an impact on the environment.
o if you are going to use a lot of
energy to treat wastewater, then on
the one hand, you save the world by
producing cleaner water, but on the
other hand, you may cause some
damage because of the energy
footprint.
o the challenge now is how do we
treat industrial wastewater adequately
and yet be able to do it with as little
energy as is possible, and ideally
perhaps even to recover energy
from the industrial wastewater. The
spokesperson summed up.
Professional Solutions for Surge Control
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Innovation
Combines two great and proven products into one solution - ensures safe and effective
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OPTIMAL FLOW SOLUTIONS
Where Knowledge & Experience join with Innovation
www.arivalves.com
Netafim Opens
Manufacturing Plant
in Valencia
Spain, currently in the midst of
a ma or financia crisis warm y
we comes esta is ment o t e
new aci ity
e p ant wi a so support etafim s
expansion plans into Portugal and
ort
rica etafim as a rea y
launched manufacturing plants
in ra i an
eru t is year
e
company s
in estment in new
aci ities t us ar is
mi ion
etafim, the world s largest irrigation
company, announced the opening of
a manufacturing plant in the panish
port city of alencia.
etafim maintains the largest share
in
pain s drip irrigation market.
The company constructed the new
facility due to significant growth in the
country.
etafim has been working
in pain with a local distributor,
egaber, for over
years, said
Mordi chwartz, etafim s pain and
ortugal
egional Manager. The
plant s establishment is an important
milestone for the growth and
continued success of our products in
the country.
pain s deep financial crisis is
heavily impacting on many of the
country s industrial sectors. Tourism
and agriculture, the sector in which
etafim operates, are the only two
areas that have been hit relatively
lightly. ocal authority representatives
throughout the country congratulated
etafim on the opening of the plant,
which will employ dozens of workers
at a time of high unemployment and
deep recession.
Mordi Schwartz - Area manager
Spain & Portugal
etafim s
Chairman
of
the
oard,
udolf
eber, and CE
Igal Aisenberg, along with local
government representatives and
etafim customers from other areas
attended the ceremony marking the
opening of the plant
The new plant will support etafim s
expansion plans into ortugal and
orth Africa, and will satisfy regional
growers increasing demand for
etafim s drip products, chwartz said.
etafim recently built a plant in
ima, eru, to meet the rapidly rising
demand of the eruvian market.
etafim also recently built a second
manufacturing facility in razil to
meet the company s increased
activity there. These two new plants
will also support
etafim activity
in neighboring
outh American
countries.
etafim has invested
0 million
in the construction of new plants in
0 thus far.
ith the addition of the alencia
facility, etafim maintains
plants
worldwide, including three in Israel at ibbutz atzerim, ibbutz Magal
and ibbutz iftach.
8
Zimbabwean farmers
press government
to prioritise revival
of their irrigation
sector
A ME
have
challenged
overnment to prioritise the revival of
the irrigation sector if the country is to
reclaim its status as the breadbasket
of Africa. The farmers said they were
failing to produce optimally due to a
shortage of rainfall.
A spokesperson for the imbabwe
Commercial armers nion said it
was worrying that most farmers relied
on rain-fed agriculture which was
becoming unreliable. Crop production,
he said, required adequate and even
distribution of water, but the country
was receiving high rainfall in some
instances followed by dry spells,
greatly affecting yields.
overnment should allocate more
funds towards the revival of the
irrigation facilities, as there is a need
to promote capital assets with farmers
getting irrigation equipment on credit
and paying back over a long period of
time. The spokesperson summed up.
WSG Wasser
Service GmbH, the
international water
arm of Austrian
multi-utilty Salzburg
AG, closes the tap
lanning to focus their activities on
its core domestic market alzburg
A has announced the closing of
their international water division that
traded under the title of
asser
ervice mb ,.
asser was launched to
considerable fanfare in
ctober
007. owever despite winning a
high-profile contract to operate the
water and wastewater treatment
infrastructure at the ing Abdullah
niversity of cience and Technology
in audi Arabia (in partnership with
Nesma),
has ultimately found
it hard to build any sort of lasting
momentum in the international water
services market.
The conclusion of the A T contract
in March was one of the reasons
behind the decision to shut
down, a alzburg official explained.
ublicly owned water utilities have
had mixed success in competing
with private companies to offer their
services internationally. This has
much to do with the fact that the
decision to enter new markets is
often politically motivated.
International Finance
Corporation lends
Manila Water $150
million
The International inance Corporation
I C a member of the orld ank
roup, has the of not only financing but
also providing advice for private sector
ventures and projects in developing
countries in partnership with
ow I C is planning to extend an
9
-year loan of up to
0 million
to Manila
ater to cover part of
the company s
.
billion capex
programme for 0 - 0 7.
The size of the deal re ects the
I C s increased willingness to
commit sizeable chunks of debt
capital to individual water initiatives.
ast month, it announced that it
is considering lending up to
million
million to a water
project in hana.
The proceeds of the new Manila
ater loan will be directed towards
developing
,000m d of new
water resources and
,000m d of
wastewater treatment capacity. ast
year, the company secured
7.
million from the orld ank to extend
its wastewater management assets.
Manila
ater s five-year business
plan and tariff proposal are currently
being reviewed by the regulatory
authority. The rate rebasing is running
six months behind schedule, with tariff
adjustments up to 0 7 expected to
be approved in uly.
Grovepoint buys
control of Algatech
ritis
pri ate in estment firm
acquires
majority
stake
in
srae i
iotec no o y company
specializing
in
commercial
cu ti ation o microa ae
ritish private investment firm
rovepoint acquired a majority stake
in Israel s Algatechnologies td, a
biotechnology company specializing
in the commercial cultivation of
microalgae.
Algatech has developed a series of
technologies that allows the large
scale cultivation of microalgae. Its
production facility is located in Israel s
Arava desert, where the hot climate
allows microalgae to ourish in over
00km of glass tubing.
rom the microalgae is harvested the
company s key commercial product,
astaxanthin, a powerful natural
antioxidant for human consumption.
Clinical trials have shown that
astaxanthin can play an important
role in supporting a healthy immune
system and promoting joint health,
skin health and muscle functions.
rovepoint
announced
recently
that the company it believed there
was significant potential to grow the
range of products where astaxanthin
was the key ingredient and to exploit
the potential of microalgae derived
products for other commercial
applications.
As well as acquiring a majority
stake in the business, rovepoint
said it would make additional capital
available for growing the business,
marketing Algatech s Astapure brand
around the world and investing in
research and development, so that
new algae derived products can be
brought to market.
Ghana oil
companies
importing water
from Ivory Coast
International oil companies in the
ubilee ield now import potable
water from Cote d Ivoire and enin
because of the inability of the hana
ater Company
C in the
estern egion to meet their water
supply demands.
According to a spokesperson for
hana il and as ervice roviders
Association
A as a result
of this shortage, supply vessels are
obliged to travel to Cote d Ivoire to buy
water to service the offshore oil and
gas industry, at a very high cost to the
overnment of hana. o far there
are no exact figures available on the
the volumes of water imported by the
oil companies, but it is estimated to d
run into millions of cubic metres a day.
The cost of importing the water is
added to the cost of development
of the various oilfields in which
the government has shares and,
therefore, contributes in paying.
Meanwhile, the
C has said its
inability to supply adequate water to
communities in its catchment area is
due partly to the activities of galamsey
operators. Currently, according to
C officials, the company produce
less than two million cubic metres of
water per day, instead of six million
cubic metres.
or this reason that the
estern
egional ecurity Council E EC
10
has expressed shock at the revelation
that the Minerals Commission has
granted permits to three mining
companies to mine gold in some
rivers in the ekyere emang area.
This is at a time when efforts are being
made to curtail gold mining activities
along river banks, despite local water
experts warning that if steps are not
taken to repeal that law for water to
ow before the middle of this year,
and they strongly advise against the
daily importation of water into the
country at a cost to the government.
Water treatment
plant opened
in Victoria State,
Australia set to save
billions of litres a
year
ffice of the remier of ictoria,
The tate of ictoria has issued the
following press release:
A
million water treatment plant
that will save about
billion litres
of drinking water every year was
officially opened at Corio recently
by ictorian Minister for ater eter
alsh and
ederal arliamentary
ecretary for
ustainability and
rban ater Amanda ishworth.
peaking at the opening of the
orthern ater lant, Mr alsh said
the project was a prime example of
governments, industry and a water
corporation working together to create
a sustainable water future., saving
about five per cent of
eelong s
current annual consumption, while
the high-quality recycled water will
also be available for other uses.
Although there are other plants like
this in Australia, the orthern ater
lant is the only facility that generates
the highest class of recycled water
from sewage containing such a high
proportion of industrial wastewater.
The orthern ater lant showcases
sustainable water management and
is testament to the benefits of private
and public sector collaboration in
achieving innovative solutions to
regional growth challenges.
The project is expected to maximize
the availability of non-potable water
for industry and the wider community,
conserving precious drinking water, it
will also reduce the amount of waste
water discharged into the ocean
to create a healthier environment
whilst delivering 70 mega-liters of
recycled water per year.
The orthern ater lant is deemed
unique in Australia because it
combines several functions into
one facility, including domestic and
industrial wastewater treatment
advanced treatment to generate the
highest class of recycled water and
supply to industry.
Turkish water to
boost Northern
Cyprus’s economy
A project planned to transfer water
from Turkey to
orthern Cyprus,
if it gets under way, is liable to
dramatically reduce the industrial
costs in the cash-strapped part of the
island and promote competitiveness
in all industries.
According to plans for the project,
water pipes are to be laid under the
Mediterranean ea that will carry
Turkish water as part of the orthern
Cyprus ater supply roject.
As the water from Turkey begins
to ow to
orthern Cyprus, the
cost of these sources will drop and
promoting the competitiveness in
all sectors of the Turkish part of the
island according to a representative
of the orthern Cypriot government.
Turkey, the protector and the main
financial supporter of the northern
part, has already begun construction
of a pipeline under the Mediterranean
ea to supply water to orthern
Cyprus which is also projected to
be used for transferring Turkish
electricity to island.
The project is expected to soothe
northern Cyprus s fundamental and
chronic problems of water shortage,
providing 7 million cubic meters of
water per year to Turkish Cyprus from
southern Turkey, with the cost of the
project is expected to reach around
billion Turkish iras
0 million .
The four-phase project got underway
with the groundbreaking construction
of the Anamur Alak pr
am in the
southern province of Mersin, which
is directly across from Cyprus on the
Mediterranean coast.
Along with the ambitious water and
electricity supply projects with Turkey,
the Cypriot government s incentives
for the industry, tourism and
agriculture sectors will also continue,
as part of accelerated efforts to
reduce costs and boost industry on
the Turkish ruled part of the island.
Texan irrigators
implore the
Mexicans to turn on
the tap
erhaps residents in the parched
io rande alley should just do a
rain dance.
It might prove more fruitful than
ongoing federal negotiations to
persuade Mexico to release more
water from the io rande. Those
negotiations have yet to produce
much of anything, and there is no
11
resolution in sight. Mexico is behind
on its water releases with a deficit of
more than 00,000 acre-feet.
A spokesperson for the International
oundary and
ater Commission
I
C,
which
oversees
the
implementation of water-use treaties
between the nited tates and Mexico
stated that the commission s team
of engineers and professionals are
working every day, all day on this
key problem, and we are taking the
problem very seriously.
Apparently the I
C s statement are
proving to be cold comfort for the
communities and irrigation districts
in the io rande alley that are
running out of water. The shortage
is a severe blow to agriculture, and it
portends increased delivery costs for
municipal and industrial users.
nder a
treaty, Mexico is
required to deliver .7 million acrefeet of water every five years. ut
when it gets delivered is debatable.
A number of state officials believe
Mexico should deliver 0,000 acrefeet of water a year during the cycle.
ut the I
C has said the agreement
is based on the five-year cycle, not
specific years within it. hile Mexico
has a deficit of more than 00,000
acre-feet, technically it is not in default
since the current cycle began in
ctober 0 0 and Mexico still has
two years to meet their commitment.
In the past, Mexico has relied on
major storms to help make up deficits,
although representatives of the I
C
estimate that Mexico has enough
water in reservoirs to address the
current deficit.
As the situation for Texas farmers
continues to deteriorate , politicians
of both major parties have become
increasingly vociferous requesting
that talks be elevated to the highest
levels of the tate epartment and
the hite ouse, although it remains
unlikely that this would happen and
unclear if it would have any effect. ■
International Product Review
Spain
AZUD
Irrigation Systems
AZUD PREMIER LINE, multiseasonal dripline with pressurecompensating (PC) bond-on emitter,
with anti-siphon (AS) and anti-drain
(CNL) models.
speed in the ow of the water inside
the labyrinth, guarantee the exit of
the solids that the water carries in
suspension).
5. Anti-siphon (AS) system.
6. Anti-drain (CNL) system.
CONTROLLERS
Launching of a new range of
controllers Cepex branded and light
line for any kind of application, from
the simple tap controller to a complete
wall controller.
More technology and highest uniformity for irrigation in intensive crops,
for tree exploitations, for underground
irrigation, and for irrigation in greenhouses
Compact controller with integrated
valve of 1” and battery operated;
waterproof technology ideally suited for
outdoor installations or for valve boxes.
Hose-end controller ¾” battery
operated analogically or digital; easy
to install and user-friendly ideally
suited for small Gardens or terraces.
Wall controller connected to the
electrical system, from 4 to 6 stations
ideally suited for bigger spaces or
more complex Systems.
www.azud.com
Spain
Cepex
AZUD PREMIER LINE is the new
at ressure Compensating dripper
bond-on multiseasonal pipes developed by AZUD and based on six key
elements:
1. H.E.X. protection system (total
protection of the labyrinth of the
dripper).
. I ITEC membrane uniform ow
rate and high performance in the
operation of the dripper; higher
pressure compensating range
than others and unalterable performance along its lifetime).
3. DS Technology applied to the
labyrinth (maximum antoclogging
efficiency .
4. Self cleaning (The high effective
Controllers and
electric valves
Cepex is launching new products
for the irrigation market, widening
its range dedicated to the turf
irrigation.
ELECTRIC VALVES
Plastic electric valves (reinforced
Nylon) specially suited for the turf
irrigation; sizes from 3/4” to 2”; with
ow control and available in
lacht
or
AC.
Compact design and ergonomic, userfriendly and easy maintenance. Fully
opening and secure drip-tight closing.
With these two new lines of products,
Cepex goes one step beyond in
the turf irrigation system, trying
to provide their customers with
complete systems, expanding its
range of valve boxes, compression
fittings, manifolds for electric valves
and the recent range of manual and
automatic filtration.
www.cepex.com
12
Israel
Greece
METZERPLAS
EURODRIP
MiniLin a New
Miniature Dripper
Drippers
Metzerplas releases its new
miniature integral dripper.
The dripper designed mainly for thin
wall thickness (0.15mm - 0.3mm) and
high density of drippers along the
dripline.
The new MiniLin miniature dripper
designated mainly to irrigate vegetables and row crops above ground and
subsurface irrigation.
The MiniLin dripper produced in a
variable diameters drip line between
16 - 25 mm.
MiniLin




Miniature dripper for thin wall drip lateral
arge inlet filter
Wide water passage
hort labyrinth with turbulent ow
www.metzerplas.com
Eolos Compact 1,4LPH
Eurodrip’s Eolos Compact (CLS)
dripline incorporates the new Compact
Eolos dripper which was developed
by utilizing our 17 years of knowhow
of Eolos (LS) at dripper design and
production. All the principal elements
of Eolos, high quality resin production
procedures, reliable filtration system,
wide
deep turbulent ow path,
lowest C in the market, and high
clogging resistance, are also applied
in the new CLS dripper.
More specifically, Eolos Compact
, lph has a C of , , riction
Factor (Kd) 0,0 ,
Coefficient of
compensation (0,46) and E
.
The advantages of CLS over similar
at drippers are:
a) Smaller dimensions (up to 4 times
smaller) and lower weight (70%
less)
Smaller dripper dimensions and
weight mean lower water friction
and therefore a lower Friction
Factor (Kd=0,01). This translates
to greater lateral lengths on
the field and therefore reduced
13
costs in accessories and fittings,
installation and maintenance.
b) Marginally longer, wider and deeper
ow path with low
Coefficient
(0,46) which means excellent
labyrinth design. The emitter
exponent X shows how tolerant is
the dripper to pressure variations.
That is important as it plays a
major role in the uniformity of the
water application and translates
to exceptional water circulation
through the dripper’s labyrinth and
therefore longer lateral lengths.
c Marginally bigger filtration area with
small water inlets, which provide
very high clogging resistance.
The small water inlets ensure no
particle entrance in the labyrinth
area in case of poor quality water
use. Therefore, even in the case
that small particles will pass
through the main filter, the filtration
area on the dripper will stop them.
d) The labyrinth of Compact Eolos
dripper is designed with large, wide
and deep ow path cross section,
in order for the water to pass
easier through the dripper and
ensure free ow in all conditions.
Moreover particles that might pass
through both main and dripper filter
will not remain in the labyrinth. This
ensures high clogging resistance.
e) The shape of the labyrinth path is
designed in such a way to create
high turbulent ow. A high turbulent
ow leads to particle wash from
the dripper’s labyrinth and results
a high clogging resistance.
f) The injection molding procedure
and the new and improved
insertion system of our extruder
lines, provide a Coefficient of
ariation (CV) of , , which is
proven to be the lowest in the
market. This means that CLS is the
most uniformly produced dripper
and that Eolos Compact dripline
ree imensiona in et fi ter
nique filtration surface enable clog
free operation even under high clog
risk conditions.
irrigates, giving the best emission
uniformity in real use (EU =99%).
Those advantages along with its low
price, makes CLS dripline a perfect
product for seasonal row crops. Eolos
Compact dripline is available in ow
rates of 0,6 1,0 and 1,4 lph and in 5,
, , 0 and
mil wall thickness in
17 and 22mm diameter.
ine in et fi ters
igh precision inlet filters much smaller
than cross sectional area of the emitter,
prevent entrance of fine particles.
Lasor drilled outlet hole
Precision lasor drilled outlet gives
uniform and clear opening.
www.eurodrip.gr
Manufactured with most modern,
state-of-the-art equipment
India
Jain Turbo Excel®
Excellence in quality,
Excellence in performance
ain Irrigation introduces world s first
and the only five star rated dripline,
‘Jain Turbo Excel’.
FEATURES & BENEFITS
Five star rated Jain Turbo Excel®
dripline
Cemagref,
rance certified
ive
Star ratings, based on excellent
It's computerised continuous online
quality control monitors emitter
spacing and precision in outlet
drilling. Thus ensures reliable quality
and consistent performance.
performance in quality parameters
- niformity of ow rate C
- Emitter exponent
- eviation of mean ow rate the
nominal ow rate
- Physical clogging sensibility
Innovative cascade labyrinth
Hydrodynamically designed tooth
structure helps to create double
ow regime viz. central curving ow
and turbulent cyclone in the dripper.
This helps in continuous ushing of
particles.
Thickness
Flow rates: 0.7, 1.2, 1.5, 2.1 & 4.0 lph
at bar 0. , .0, . , .
. lph
at 0.7 bar)
Wall thickness: 6 mil to 40 mil (0.15
mm to 1 mm).
Sizes: 12 mm to 35 mm. (1/2 inch to
1 inch).
www.jains.com
e
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Now www.intwater.com
International Water & Irrigation
14
The 7th International Exhibition & the 4th International Conference on Water Technologies
First time in Watec Israel
The OECD international
conference
“Joining Forces to Develop Smart, Cost-Effective Urban Water Utilities”
Co-organized by the Government of Israel
Major networking opportunities | 27,000 exhibition attendees projected from 104 countries
| 150 international official delegations | 95 countries represented
October 22-24, 2013
Tel Aviv Exhibition Center
WATEC Organizers:
Don’t miss the opportunity to join this show!
In cooperation with:
Gold sponsors:
In cooperation:
ISRAEL NATIONAL WATER CO.
Media Partners:
Official Govermment Support:
For information & registration: www.watec-israel.com
Yael Visman: yaelv @ fairs.co.il ,03-6404410 | Rivka Chai: rchai @ kenes.com ,03-9727535
Nanoscavengers expected to be
a key player in next-generation
water purification systems
Despite the tremendous advances being made, many of
the world’s populations still lack access to clean and safe
fresh water, especially in developing countries.
There are currently few methods of fabricating practical
nanoscavengers with large magnetic cores and functional
capping layers available.
The major challenges are disinfection and removal of
chemical contaminants. While desalination and membrane
filtration methods are well developed, they are less than
friendly to the environment as well as consuming untenably
large amounts of energy, especially in countries where
their energy infrastructure is underdeveloped.
A recent series of experiments was carried out in the United
States designed to investigate advances in fabrication
technology. The stage in the experimentation process was
to establish a technique that would allow the anchoring of
inorganic nanoparticles to magnetic cores. To facilitate
the second stage of the experimental process, a magnetic
core is created, which is highly responsive to magnetic
fields, enabling the collection of nanoscavengers by using
a permanent magnet.
These “nanoscavengers” as they
are nicknamed are magnetically
responsive, meaning that they are
endowed with the distinct advantage
of being both deployable and
recoverable in a controlled manner
In recent years various investigations have been carried to
judge the feasibility of using nanoparticles to purify water,
but typically have come up against the problem of how
to recover them post treatment. One method that proved
partially effective was to mount the particles on a form of
a matrix. However using this was method was found to
eventually block access to parts of the particle surface and
have a negative effect on particle mobility and suppress
their dispersal.
Currently among other alternative that are under
investigation is the creation of nanoparticles with a
magnetic core. These “nanoscavengers”, as they have
been titled, are magnetically responsive, meaning that
they are endowed with the distinct advantage of being
both deployable and recoverable in a controlled manner.
For the purpose of the experiment, magnetically ultra
responsive nanoscavengers were fabricated, containing
synthetic anti-ferromagnetic (SAF) core layers and
functional capping layers. When dispersed in contaminated
water, the nanoscavengers were seen to rapidly and
efficiently interact with contaminants, which were then
quickly collected with the aid of a permanent magnet,
owing to their magnetically ultra responsive core layers.
In the second stage of the experimental project, an
external magnetic field is applied. The nanoscavengers
are then separated and collected, and the now purified
water is discharged. This operational model provides
a series of advantages, taking in improved reaction
efficiency, the need for little or no energy input during the
separation stages as well as permitting unlimited reuse of
the nanoscavengers.
Results
ater purification using nanoscavengers is a two stage
process. (See Figure One)
In the first stage, the nanoscavengers (disk-shaped,
multilayered SAF nanoparticles with their surfaces
covered with two functional capping layers designed
to remove targeted micropollutants) were dispersed in
contaminated water, typically containing micropollutants,
such as pathogens, organic compounds and heavy
metals. Both the nanoscavengers and the micropollutants
18
Figure 1
c e
c re re e
f e
move randomly through the water, with the likelihood of
them collisiding being 100% inevitable.
When the collision occurs, the active surface layer of
the nanoscavenger will interact with the micro-pollutant,
resulting in either its absorption or destruction.
In the second stage of the process, an external magnetic
field is applied during which the nanoscavengers are
first separated and collected, and the purified water is
discharged.
er
r fic
r ce
system for proof-of-concept, and these nanoscavengers
were found to be highly effective over several repeated
cycles of disinfection.
The effects of the bactericides were adequately interpreted
using a Collision-based model with the average
concentration of silver Ag0 discovered in inactivated
Discussion
The introduction a collection of
nanoscavengers could potentially
enable parallel treatments of diverse
contaminants and contaminant mixture
from a single source
uring these specific trials, magnetically ultra responsive
nanoscavengers were fabricated, deployed for water
purification, recycled and their mode of action modeled.
The results of the trial gave rise to significant promise that
the use of nanoscavengers could well have a significant
place in the next generation of water treatment technology,
particularly for point-of-use applications. Ag-capped
nanoscavengers were developed in these trials as a model
bacteria calculated to be around 01% per application.
Based on A mass-balance calculation, on an average
dosage level of 14 p.p.m., Ag-SAF nanoscavengers were
calculated of capable of used around 75 times In treating
water systems with 105 per ml bacteria concentration.
Figure Two: Antibacterial effect of nanoscavengers nanoscavenger addition, magnetic separation and
incubation
This value is liable to vary considerably and proportionally
according to bacteria concentration in a real natural water
system, which will invariably contain different levels of
bacteria. The general consensus remains that although
nanoscavengers might prove to be effective in relatively
clean systems, there will be a need for further research
in the future to ascertain their applicability when called
19
Figure Three: Collision-based disinfection hypothesis. images of
e fi ere
r
fi re f er
er re
e
upon to deal with systems where contamination levels
are considerably higher and are liable to contain not
only microbes that need to be inactivated but also other
pollutant materials whose reaction with nanoscavengers
remains an unknown quantity.
Initial research also gave some strong indications that
the deployment, recovery and re-use of nanoscavengers
need not necessarily be limited to applications involving
disinfection.
According to their sequential deposition, it was observed
that various inorganic materials such as metal and oxides
among other showed the capability towards being capped
by SAF nanoparticles.
For instance, Titanium dioxide (TiO2) capped SAF
nanoparticles have also been fabricated for the purpose of
experimentation, with these new particles also displaying
considerable promise in water purification, as the capping
layer itself has already been demonstrated to treat organic
compound or heavy metal ions in water.
All of the techniques involved in capping nanoparticles such
as deposition, etching, lift off, nanoimprinting and, spin
coating are already well developed in the industry growing
rapidly around nanotechnology, and it has already been
proven that a minimal amount of labour is involved if these
nanoscavengers are fabricated on an industrial scale.
It has been estimated that once a roll-to-roll-based ow
production process can be developed at an industrial
level, this particular category of nanoscavengers can be
fabricated with high efficiency and low cost.
Initial and cursory tests were also made into the feasibility of
developing larger sized super-paramagnetic nanoparticles,
which possess the property of being combinable. In
this state, these super-paramagnetic nanoparticles are
estimated to be readily capable of tackling a large number
and variety of micro-pollutants, when they are introduced
into polluted water. Theoretically introducing a collection
of nanoscavengers could potentially enable parallel
treatments of diverse contaminants and contaminant
mixture from a single source. ■
International Water & Irrigation
Now available online
Vol .
32,
No 4,
201 2
NETA
FIM
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’S SUGA A NEW
IRRI
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E-TO-E GATION ST
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APRO
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www.intwater.com
20
Australia expects the private
sector to take an increasing
role in the next generation
of water technology
Like every other country and continent of the World,
Australia is facing its share of challenges in coping with
the problems of water supply. Problems that have existed
for many years but have exacerbated recently due to the
effects of climate change, a buoyant economy bringing
with it population growth.
The powers that be in the water utility sector in Australia
are increasingly discovering that many of the solutions
to the common problems they are encountering lie
in the hands of the private sector. By assigning their
water management facilities to the private sector, utility
companies are providing the consumer as well as the
industrial and agricultural sector with the ability to enjoy
increased control over their water usage.
Like every other country and continent
of the World, Australia is facing its
share of challenges in coping with the
problems of water supply
This shift in policy is being driven by a number of
significant tate based initiatives, particularly the
Water Industry Competition Act (WIC Act) that has driven
similar initiatives to make legislative changes in other
Australian tates, with the ffice of iving ictoria s push
for decentralised water solutions being another driving
force to create dynamic recycled water schemes driven in
partnership by the public and private sectors.
rivate water utilities are driving significant change in water
servicing with new metering technology revolutionizing the
way consumers, industry and agriculture manage their
water budgets. Privately owned and managed water supply
companies are more readily able to develop innovative
water infrastructure solutions, working in close collusion
with developers, residents and communities.
ne of the huge opportunities yet to be fully realised is
the significant benefit to customers. rivate utilities,
through new innovations and technologies, are able to
Australia has taken the step of deregulating its water
industry markets, undergoing a complete renaissance in
the way water infrastructure is funded and managed. By
doing so, Australia is creating an exciting opportunity for
their private sector to innovate.
This fundamental policy shift is witnessing an end to the
outdated centralized water infrastructure control system
with a forward-looking decentralized system in its place,
driven by the development of new private water utilities.
22
give customers more control over their water usage and to
better inform them of their water usage patterns enabling
financial savings and behavioural change.
Remote telemetry and individual metering technology are
able to provide the consumer with a clear and accurate
picture of their water consumption, in real time. These
features mean that the consumer, from the homeowner,
to the industrial unit, to the office block or retail store and
even the cultivator in the field, will be able to enjoy the
benefits of being better informed on the levels of their
water consumption, and what they can do to reduce the
quantity used and the associated costs.
While most public utilities are indicating consumer water
efficiency gains are reducing, the private sector is proving
the opposite: This is only the beginning of water efficiency
- major gains can continue to be made through education
and the uptake of existing and future water saving devices.
More importantly, unlike the public sector, the private sector
is not exclusively focused on dams and desalination. It is
more interested in extracting value from the entire water
cycle -how to make revenues from rainwater, stormwater,
groundwater and wastewater and in turn create new
secure sources of drinking and non-drinking water.
Building dams and desalination plants, along with the
massive and costly infrastructure required to pump drinking
water over long distances to the far ung communities of
Australia , coupled with the costs involved in returning the
waste byproduct, have long become inefficient, ineffective
and environmentally unsuitable. That is the reason why
an increasing number of communities are actively seeking
more feasible alternatives to better utilize their localized
water sources, to make their footprint greener and their
water management systems more cost effective.
And these towns, cities and urban areas are discovering
that in the private sector they have willing and able partners
to help them in realizing their objectives.
By stepping into the niche gladly abandoned by the
Australia s public sector, companies operating in the
private sector are proving themselves capable of delivering
more efficient and affordable solutions that harness
waste on site. In particular, operating in a decentralized
recycled water system alongside an integrated water cycle
23
Water meter
management (IWCM) system is bringing an inclusive
water management system into an affordable domain for
the first time.
The increasing role of the private
sector in the water utility industry
in Australia
Urban developers who constantly battled with the
problems of financing costs for establishing a centralized
water infrastructure as well as coping with the interminable
bureaucracy required to receive public funding are finding
that the private sector has all the answers when it comes
to providing a more exible and more rapidly attainable
water infrastructure.
Through establishing decentralized solutions, the private
sector is far more capable of extracting added value from
the water recycling process, either for the community,
developers as well as local government.
The presence of a well planned and managed decentralized
recycling systems will almost certainly ensure that a very
large percentage of local water will remain within the
community, thus providing all of the benefits that come
hand in hand with a secure water source, enhanced
ecology and environment, greener recreational spaces
all year, improved water management systems that have
been designed and produced to meet the specific demands
of individual communities.
Taking these factors into account, the benefits that the
presence of private water utilities bring to Australia will
provide an ideal water management platform for cities and
communities of the future.
Factors that will become increasingly necessary if
Australia is to keep pace with growth in its population, and
be more capable of coping with changes in climate which
have already been evidenced in longer, hotter dry spells,
more intense climate events and some radical changes in
rainfall patterns.
uture growth and prosperity across Australia s economy,
including agriculture and industry, has never been more
dependant on a sustainable water future. A future that
may well become dependant on the increasing role of the
private sector in the water utility industry in Australia. ■
24
Cover Story
A 100% Israeli-Owned
Irrigation Firm
“We’re the only leading company”,
says Shmuel Schupak, CEO of
Metzerplas, headquartered in Kibbutz
Metzer, smilingly adding: “We’re
the only Israeli firm in the irrigation
industry that still has a commanding
lead”. Metzerplas today remains the
only irrigation company which is still
Shmuel Shchupak
At-a-Glance
Current role: Metzerplas CEO
Place of birth: Kibbutz Metzer
Family ties: Martin Schupak,
Shmuel’s father, was one of the
founding members of the Kibbutz and
the factory
Studies: B.Sc. Agriculture in Rehovot
and MBA at Ruppin College
Career: After a few years in the Kibbutz
avocado orchards, Schupak was
appointed economic administrator of
Kibbutz Metzer. In 2002 he started
working in Metzerplas, during which
time he set up the Australian subsidiary,
which required several years of
relocation for him and his family down
under. Upon his return, he established
the company’s project department. A
year later, he was appointed managing
director of Kibbutz Megiddo for 4.5
years, after which he took over as the
Metzerplas CEO.
Motto: I’m a planter at heart, an
industrialist by trade.
100% Israeli ownership, following the
wave of foreign acquisitions of the
other Israeli irrigation companies.
Metzerplas was established in 1973
as a manufacturer of electrical piping.
It was only later that they began to
make piping for water-related piping.
Schupak says, tongue in cheek:
“They said about us that during the
day we manufactured electrical pipes
and in the dead of night we’d shifted
to water pipes”.
In a few short years Metzerplas
established contacts with "Lego
Irrigation". Shmuel Schupak explains:
“It was an informal alliance between
the two factories. We made the pipes;
Lego Irrigation would add the water
diffusers that release the water”.
Thanks to this collaboration, the two
produced high-quality products and
successfully penetrated the market
while it was still in its infancy.
Has Metzerplas positioned itself
among the irrigation giants?
Where do you stand in the
hierarchy?
Schupak explains that “there was a
group of members in Metzer with a very
sharp focus on the technological side
of things. They had highly advanced
development skills, so Metzerplas
had no need to outsource any of this.
Lego Irrigation brought nice product
ideas to the table and Metzerplas was
able to translate them into advanced
drip irrigation. Thanks to this, we built
solid relationships in the local market
and later on internationally.
Metzerplas has positioned itself among
26
the leading irrigation companies, they
have achieved fourth place in terms of
size, after etafim, lastro and aanDan. But from the product perspective,
we’ve positioned ourselves as market
leaders in terms of quality and variety”,
says Schupak proudly.
At the end of 1997, Lego Irrigation
was sold to Haifa Chemicals,
controlled by Arie Genger, for $11
million. Here too, Schupak’s eyes
light up as he says: “They thought
they were buying Metzerplas as well,
all together. In 2001 we bought the
dripper part of the business from
them for $2.2 million (the agricultural
segment of Lego Irrigation), and the
chief developer came to work for us".
Shmuel Schupak sums it up: “Lego
Irrigation has remained in the
landscaping business ever since, and
we have positioned ourselves as a
dripper development firm. ater on
we entered the at drippers business,
and today we feature a wide range of
products: Cylindrical, Flat, Underground
drippers, integral dripping, Low
pressure and gravity dripping systems.
All this is in addition to the polyethylene
E pipe departments - serving the
telecommunication market, the
pipes for plumbing and for water at
extreme temperatures and pressures,
as well as pumping and transporting
water”.
And has the Kibbutz been the
owner of the company since then?
Schupak corrects me: “In 2006,
Gaon Agro bought a 25% share of
Metzerplas for NIS 33.5 million, and
Metzerplas
At-a-Glance
the remaining
75%
remain
under Kibbutz
ownership”.
S h m u e l
Schupak took
over as CEO in
Amos Tamir
early 2013, after
Export Manager
the
outgoing
Irrigation Department
CEO, Reuven
Sarig, was appointed as chairman of
the Metzerplas subsidiaries, including
a Ukrainian company. Metzerplas
is active worldwide and has several
sites: MET E
A
A T A IA,
in
riffith,
, specializing in
agricultural initiatives, MET E
A
IRRIGACION S.A. in Argentina. “Both
of them deal primarily with viticulture
or citrus projects”, says Schupak.
He then fans his feathers, proudly
presenting his new pet project: The
Ukrainian IRRIGATOR Company
Metzerplas bought 51% of Irrigator
about a year ago.
Why Ukraine? Is there a water
shortage in Eastern Europe?
“We established ties with a developing
firm which we helped to establish. e
even provided financial and credit
support. Two years ago we noticed
that they were a very substantial
customer of ours in the agriculture
and landscaping products business
so in December 2012 we decided
to buy them”. Schupak explains
that “Huge amounts of un-irrigated
corn are cultivated in the Ukraine.
To increase the yield, you need drip
irrigation”. Following the success
and in the near future production will
start in our Ukrainian plant, Schupak
confides that they hope to expand
business with Russia and the rest of
the East European countries.
Have you got plans to enter into
other countries?
“Already today, Metzerplas is
present in most countries. We even
have dealings with Arab countries”,
although on this point he prefers
not to go into detail, “through local
representatives. We are operating,
and would like to increase our
business, in Latin America, in North
America and in Africa”.
Schupak points out the China/Israel
irrigation protocol, which was signed
several years ago: “Many initiatives
are
supposed
to
materialize
following the signing of this historic
accord. Some of the equipment is
to be supplied from Israel. We have
partnered with two companies to
represent us in China. It is difficult
to penetrate the Chinese market,
so this must be regarded as a longterm goal”, he says, and adds that
he regards this region as a high
priority target.
e even confides
that Metzerplas plans to achieve
operational autonomy inside China.
Are there any other grand
schemes?
“Of course”, he smiles, “Our
project department has expanded
dramatically this last year and it
is surging full steam ahead. We
can expect more acquisitions and
establishment of new companies
around the world. There are many
new products in the pipeline, although
I won’t go into further detail. You’ll
27
Ownership: 75% Kibbutz Metzer, 25%
Gaon Agro (a publicly traded company)
Turnover: NIS 200 million per year
Employees: The factory employs over
150 workers, of which 50 are Kibbutz
members; another 70 employees work for
Metzerplas around the world
Main products: ressure regulated and
non-compensated drippers, polyethylene
E piping,
pipes for plumbing and
for water at extreme temperatures and
pressures, as well as pumping and
transporting water. Telecommunication E
pipes. Complete Turn Key Irrigation and
water supply projects.
Subsidiaries: Metzerplas Irrigacion S.A. Argentina, Metzerplas Australia - Australia,
Irrigator - Ukraine, Dura-Line - Israel
Environment: The Metzerplas plant is
considered green and it separates its
garbage. Whatever can be recycled is
recycled, E pipes are granulated and
the rest is collected and buried
Exclusive: Metzerplas set up a demo plot
last year, showcasing all its different kinds
of irrigation including drippers, sprinklers,
pumps, all greenhouse types and shade
Netting structures, and computerized and
automated control systems, operable via
smart phones. Everything is demonstrated
in real operation at the demo plot.
One last tidbit: Beginning in 2011,
Metzerplas became a sponsor of the
Hapoel Ussishkin Tel Aviv basketball
team. The team is now called apoel
Metzerplas Tel Aviv.
have to be patient”.
On top of all this, Metzerplas also
offers companies in various countries
the manufacturing technology for
drip lines, where the company sells
entire production lines and provides
technological and agro technical
support. ■
[email protected]
www.metzerplas.com
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Covering the full water cycle, WEFTEC is your
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supply, watershed management, and much more.
Through the largest annual water quality exhibition,
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86th Annual Water Environment
Federation Technical Exhibition
and Conference
McCormick Place South,
Chicago, Illinois USA
Conference: 5 – 9 October 2013
Exhibition: 7– 9 October 2013
SAVE THE DATES
30 August Phone, fax, and mail
registration deadline
30 August Cancelation/
substitution deadline
Chinese plastic pipe makers
faced with a dual challenge
With China being one of the world’s fastest-growing
economies over recent years , this rapidly growing super
power with a population of over 1.2 billion has their in
themselves followed by undertaking immense infrastructure projects. Projects that have placed considerable
demands on manufacturers and suppliers of all nature of
finished goods.
In particular the demand for plastic piping has grown in
leaps and bounds in China over the last decade or so,
with production capacity being increased to keep pace
with the clamour for piping, for municipalities, agriculture
and industry.
who have been experiencing considerable problems with
the quality of piping used on their projects supplied by local
manufacturers. Such is the level of their dissatisfaction
with the quality of piping they have been receiving, that
they intend to immediately institute a form of qualification
system, where only suppliers who meet fairly stringent
quality standards on a consistent basis will figure on their
shortlist of recommended suppliers, so concerned is the
Association about the number of pipe failures and leaks
that have been causing considerable water losses as well
as lack of efficiency in the municipal water systems under
their jurisdiction.
However coping with such a massive demand within such
a limited timeframe has created a number of problems for
the Chinese plastic piping industry, particularly relating to
quality standards. In recent years the problem has become
so critical that many of the largest commercial consumers
of plastic pipe in China have begun to exert considerable
pressure on the plastic pipe manufacturers increase the
quality and resilience of their product.
In particular, the demand for plastic piping
has grown in leaps and bounds over
the last decade or so, with production
capacity being increased to keep
pace with the demand for piping, for
municipalities, agriculture and industry
ne of the largest specifiers and users of plastic piping
in China is the Urban Water and Wastewater Association,
Among the points raised by the Chinese Urban Water
and Wastewater Association spokesperson at a recent
conference organized by the China Plastics Piping
Association, was the often substandard quality of piping
received coupled with poor installation practices would
sometimes bring out the situation of piping that was budget
to last 30 years would only last around half that.
At the conference, held in the city of Chengdu, in the
Sichuan province of China, a number of other speakers
representing other infrastructure groups who were also
major specifiers of plastic pipe raised similar concerns.
A representative of the China Water Conservation and
Water Supply Institute stressed that the plastic pipe
industry were obliged to their customers to pay more
attention to quality, both in raw materials as well as the
process of pipe manufacturing pipe production.
29
the Chinese
pipe manufacturing
industry is
finding
Chinese plastic pipes
themselves
increasingly
under
pressure
from their
clients to
improve
,quality
a factor that
needs to be
given
considerably
more
attention
Particular interest was paid to a speaker
representing the city of Tianjin, one of the largest
largest cities in China, who have invested a
considerable sum of money in establishing their
own testing institute which will provide them
with the ability to monitor the quality of a large
cross-section of construction materials, including
plastic pipe.
Until other similar bodies begin to establish their
own independent testing bodies, they will be
obliged to continue to rely on the Beijing-based
China Plastics Piping Association (CPPA) to test
the quality of the products of their members. The
general consensus among those attending the
conference was that while a large percentage
of members of the CPPA did produce pipes that
were of a high enough standard, there was an
increasing number of smaller companies who
had entered into the market to meet the huge
demand had been forsaking quality standards.
Particular reasons for poor plastic pipe quality
has been separated into three categories:
 The manufacturers use of substandard quality
raw material
 A lack of expertise in the pipe manufacturing
process
 Poor quality installation methods being
employed in the field.
A spokesperson for the CPPA agreed with the
consensus that in general China’s larger and
longer established pipe manufacturing companies
were capable of turning out a top-quality product,
while many of smaller and considerably less
30
experienced manufacturers of plastic piping who
has appeared on the scene recent years have
been experiencing problems with keeping pace
with the quality that their customers demand.
Another problematic issue in the pipe
manufacturing sector is the supply of raw material
while certain manufacturers have been known
to substitute lower quality material during the
manufacturing process than that specified
The fact that CPPA and now working to instigate
a whole new set of regulations relating to the
quality of plastic piping, it may not turn out to be
one would wish the fact that many of the Chinese
utilitity companies are not as knowledgeable as
they should be when it comes to determining
pipe quality standards as well as the specification
of a particular pipe is suitable for the project there
are being used on. That’s why, according to the
CPPA, it is also importantto educate those bodies
so that quality, suitability and longevity of their
piping becomes a bigger part of their purchasing
decisions.
It’s a point echoed by others involved in China’s
pipe market.
In reply a spokesperson from one of China’s
largest pipe manufacturing concerns did agree
that the Chinese pipe manufacturing industry is
finding themselves increasingly under pressure
from their clients to improve quality, a factor that
needs to be given considerably more attention.
According to a number of Chinese plastic pipe
manufacturers the quality problems currently
being experienced to a certain extent should have
Chinese plastic pipes
been expected to to the fact that China has experienced
such dramatic growth over the last two decades, with not
sufficient time being available to establish acceptable
quality standards.
However plastic pipe manufacturers may be given some
unexpected and probably unwelcome breathing space with
figures now showing that the demand for plastic pipe in the
country beginning to wane. Recent reports have indicated
that the plastic pipe manufacturing industry experienced
its slowest growth in 0 for the past five years, caused
by slowdowns in government infrastructure spending as
well as in the construction industry, both in the industrial
and commercial sectors. owever production figures were
still considerable, increasing by a modest 10 percent last
year, to 11 million metric tons, the smallest production
increase since 2008.
While growth has slowed from its breakneck pace of 2010
and 2011, the effects are not being felt equally within
the pipe sector, with the larger and more established
companies taking a Lion’s share of the market.
China’s plastic pipe industry has seen average annual
production growth of 25. percent between the years 2008
two 2012, rising from 4.6 million metric tons in 2008 to 11
million tons in 2012. ■
31
Case Study
Prevent Pressure Transients with
the Use of a Bladder Surge Tank
As a result of pressure transients at the Pardes Hagdud
pump station, a decision was taken to install
a bladder surge tank in addition to the air valves
Dr.Sharon yaniv*
What are Pressure Transients?
Pressure transients can be described as waves possessing
both, positive and negative amplitudes. These transients
are caused by sudden extreme changes in ow velocity
brought about by events such as pipe bursts, sudden
changes in demand, sudden pump start-ups and shut-offs,
Pressure transients (surges) are
one of the most prevalent causes
for cracks, minor ruptures, and
bursts in pipelines
esearch shows that cavitation and air pockets of a certain
size and location will cause pressure transients to amplify.
The presence of air pockets, under certain circumstances,
have been proven to generate considerable enough
uctuations of high and low pressures to cause pipe breaks
and even pipe collapse. Air pockets will hasten corrosion,
weakening the ability of the pipeline to withstand the
damages caused by pressure transients.
How can Pressure Transients be
Prevented?



opening and closing of fire hydrants, rapid closing and
opening of in-line isolating valves, ushing and draining
operations, fire ow, feed tank draining, etc. These socalled hydraulic pressure transients (surges) present one
of the most prevalent causes for pipe damage, including
pipe bursts, pipe collapse, pipe cracking.
*Applications engineer at A.R.I. Flow Control Accessories Ltd, a
r
e f e ec
f c
fc e
eer
e fie
of water and the environment.
Member of WLSG - WATER LOSS SPECIALIST GROUP, part
of the IWA, the International WATER ASSOCIATION.
Expertise in water loss reduction, surge analysis and air valve
sizing and placement analysis

Slow down the rate of velocity changes in the system
low down the filling rate for empty sections of the
system
elease air at a slow controlled rate when filling line
segments
Introduce air or water into the pipeline at points where
negative pressure conditions are expected to occur
Accessories for Preventing Pressure
Transients
There are various accessories available to prevent
pressure transients.
One effective and reliable accessory for preventing
pressure transients is a surge bladder tank.
This type of surge tank is found on-line and includes an air
or gas cushion at the top of the tank. It is filled in advance to
a predetermined pressure in order to maintain the required
air volume under normal operating conditions. Such surge
tanks do not require a compressor and an external energy
source.
32
Pic 1: Bladder surge tank of 5 m3
Pardes Hagedud Sewage Pumping
Station Description
astewater delivery pipe:
C
0, 00 mm diameter,
, 00 meters in length. The pipe begins at an altitude of
7. meters and terminates at an altitude of . meters.
The station is comprised of two submersible pumps, each with
a capacity of 0 m hour, with
meters of head and , 0
rpm. The station operates with one or two pumps in parallel.
The bladder surge tank and air valve were installed outside
of the station before the water meter. (Pic.1).
ressure readings were taken with a pressure transducer
and data logger which gives a reading of a hundred
readings per second. (Pic.2).The transducer doesn t know
how to read negative pressure.
Pic 2: Wastewater double orifice air valve
Surge analysis results of a simulated
electrical shutdown at the station
with the bladder surge tank
From the surge analysis, the highest pressure was at the
pumping station . meters and at the bladder surge tank
the pressure was meters. There was no drop in pressure
below the pipe profile. The air valves operated mainly in
discharging air during the filling of the line releasing air
when the system is under pressure and admitting air
during emptying of the line.
As a result of the analysis it was determined that a bladder
surge tank of m volume, diameter of 1.5 meters and a
height of . meters cc r
ec fic
fr
e
manufacturer) was required. According to calculations a
bladder surge tank of m volume initial water level is 1.7
meters and the pre-charge pressure within the bladder is
0. bars.
Fig. 1: Max/Min pressure at power failure with bladder
surge tank and air valves
Fig. 2: Pressure at bladder surge tank as a result of
power failure
33
Fig. 3: Trial no. 114 - Pressure during shutdown of the
er r e
r e f
m3/hour with pressure head of 25 meters
Field Test Description
A number of trials were run with operating and shutting
down the pumps:
. Trial no.
: shutdown of the two pumps, bladder
surge tank of m not connected, ow rate of 0 m /
hour with pressure head of
meters
Trial no.
: shutdown of the two pumps, bladder
surge tank of m connected, ow rate of 0 m /hour
with pressure head of
meters
Test Results
According to trial number
(Fig.3) of shutdown of both
pumps, without bladder surge tank, the pressure at the
pump station reached 0 meters where at this point the
air valves admitted air during the pressure reduction in the
pipe and discharged air when the pressure rose.
At trial number 115 (Fig. 4) it was noted that when both
pumps were shutdown but the bladder surge tank was
connected the maximum pressure in the pipe reached only
Fig. 4: Trial no. 115 – Pressure during shutdown of the
er r e
r e f
m3/hour with pressure head of 25 meters
meters. There was a drop in pressure up to meters
and the bladder surge tank prevented the pressure from
dropping below the pipe profile (vacuum).
Summary
The results indicate that the installation of a bladder surge
tank prevents the sudden increase of pressure when both
pumps are shutdown moreover, the bladder surge tank
prevented a drop in pressure below atmospheric pressure
(vacuum) of the system.
The results also show that the air valves operated as
required (admittance and discharge of air) and will continue
to do so as long as the appropriate maintenance is carried
out. The bladder surge tank requires minimal maintenance
and is thus considered to be a worthwhile and efficient tool
for surge protection in conjunction with air valves. Finally,
the results of these field experiments conform very well
with the surge analysis that were carried out using the
analytical tool, urge 00 , with air valves in combination
with a bladder surge tank. ■
34
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Part of
Supported by
Understanding costs and energy
consumption in landscapes
gardens using sprinkler irrigation
Introduction
In today’s energy conscious times, society is becoming
increasingly aware of the importance of maintaining
the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly
water and energy to operate an irrigation system.
Consequently making maximum efficient use of
these resources is of major importance, both for
environmental and economic reasons.
Apart from the environmental aspects it is also is important
to point out that the cost of energy has increased
significantly in recent years. ntil now, emphasis in the
irrigation sector have been largely focused on reducing
levels of water consumption for crops, with the agricultural
industry remaining the largest consumer of water.
Research consistently shows that
while water use per hectare in
agriculture was reduced by more than
20 % in the last half-century, energy
use has risen by a staggering 650%
Research consistently shows that while water use
per hectare in agriculture was reduced by more than
20% in the last half-century, energy use has risen by a
staggering
0 . To find a happy median a number of
studies have been carried out over the years focusing
on a week to discover how to improve energy efficiency
through optimizing the use of both water and energy in an
irrigation system.
As is often the case when a particular source is in short
supply, the obvious tendency is to prioritise, with a very
large percentage of water resources are going towards
domestic use as well as industry and agriculture.
In recent years in regions across the world where water
is in short supply, the tendency has been to cut back on
areas which are regarded as non-critical, with public parks
and gardens being fairly high to the top of the list.
However, municipalities have raised an outcry against
this growing phenomena, training, and rightly so that due
to the increasing trend towards population concentration
in urban and peri-urban areas, the need to maintain
public parks to a high standard is very important to the
public morale.
A particular case in point is the Mediterranean country of
Spain, which has undergone some major demographic
and social changes in recent years, including an almost
complete turnaround in their financial situation, from the
financial boom to a state of ongoing recession. Coupled
with that is the erratic weather conditions that the country
has suffered over the last few years, especially in the
south, with many months going by in the winter without
sufficient rainfall.
While the subject of water consumption related to urban
change and socio-economic conditions has been the
subject of some research in the past, there have been
very few studies carried out that has specifically dealt with
dealing with water consumption in public gardens, well
those dealing with energy consumption in the same sector
are even more scarce.
General research has only come up with suggestions to
save water and energy, such as grouping plant species
according to their water needs, selecting species adapted
to local climatic conditions, avoiding the laying of large lawn
extensions, specifically organizing irrigation dependant
on a plant’s water needs, the standard of watering at the
appropriate times according to the weather conditions,
and in particular using the most efficient irrigation systems
available.
Almost without exception the efficiency of a sprinkler
irrigation system is largely dependent on its design
and management. Regarding the design, the correct
appropriate choice of system components (i.e. pipes,
sprinklers and pumps) combine with with the applied
36
Sprinkler irrigation in public parks
hydraulic design criteria, are deemed to be particularly
important when it comes to curtailing energy consumption.
To throw some more light on finding the ideal combination
of efficient irrigation through energy and water use, it
was deemed important The objective of this paper is
to analyze the mysterious solutions derived from the
hydraulic design of public gardens testing products
available on the market, not only for irrigation but also
those that relate to energy consumption.
Material and methods
1. Irrigation equipment
The components of the irrigation system (i.e. sprinklers,
pipes and hydraulic pumps) were chosen as being
representative of the commitment was commonly available
on the domestic market, in order to provide an accurate
cross-section of the typical commercially available options.
For each of these four leading global manufacturers of
irrigation equipment, two sprinkler models found to be the
most commonly used in public gardens were chosen, was
based on the objective opinions of several technicians
within the public gardening sector.
The next stage was to narrow down each sprinkler model,
and gather information on the maximum number of working
pressures were considered, according to
information supplied by the manufacturer.
The combination of the four sprinkler brands with the two
models per brand, the different working pressures for
each of the models and ten typical garden surface areas
considered, allowed the analysis of a total of 450 irrigation
system designs.
Another factor taking into consideration were the nozzle
sizes, relating to the various sprinkler configurations, with
each sprinkler capable of being combined with various
nozzle sizes, and can accordingly make significant changes
to both the wetted radius and ow rate to efficiently fit the
geometry of the garden.
For that reason each individual combination of sprinkler/
working pressure/nozzle, the wetted radius and supplied
ow rate were gathered for each potential combination.
Regarding the water distribution system itself , in order to
calculate the head losses and costs, polyethylene pipes
of commercial diameters and the accessories needed
to connect these pipes to the sprinklers and pumping
equipment also came under considerable consideration.
2. Design criteria for the irrigation system
The irrigation system was designed according to hydraulic
criteria and widely accepted design recommendations
together with the different manufacturers’ additional
technical standards, with the separation between
sprinklers assumed to be equivalent to the wetted radius
of a sprinkler.
Although a large number of different layouts for the
irrigation pipes were considered as being possible,
in practice, a simple design is the most common in
domestic irrigation sprinkler systems. For this reason, in
order to standardize the methodology used in all cases
considered, a single irrigation pipe, fed at one end, with
of all the sprinklers to be used in the test was attached.
37
Three different layout variations were
defined, identified as geometries A,
and C, having 4, 9 and 16 sprinklers,
respectively ( See Figure One).
3. Analysis of the optimal design for
eac confi uration
The practical hydraulic design was
determined
individually
for
each
combination
of
sprinkler/working
pressure/garden surface area. For each
Figure 1. Possible arrangements for the sprinklers in a pipe (geometries A, B
case the most suitable of the three
and C). The arrows show the water inlet
sprinkler layouts (geometries A, B or C)
was identified, taking into account the
various wetted cover alternatives offered by the available
when irrigating a typical agricultural field.
ozzles.
5. Annual pumping costs
For each combination that met all of the adopted design
Once the irrigation design components and the ideal pump
criteria. the solution that looked likely to requiring the
for each application were defined, the annual fixed cost
fewest sprinklers was selected, due to the reduced costs
was calculated by defining the the total annual pumping
in installation. Those cases where the wetted radius was
costs, the amortization (depreciation value levels) of the
greater than the length of the side of the garden were
irrigation material over an estimated fifteen year life span,
excluded from the study. The nozzles were selected by
taking into account linear amortization.
taking the sprinklers with a rotation angle of 90° then
Annual variable costs were also calculated corresponding
considering the optimum wetted radius of each nozzle
to electricity Consumption, for each one of the 450 cases
(See Figure Two).
considered, with the value being calculated using the
absorbed pump power for a certain discharge set against
the time needed to apply the required irrigation dose. An
energy price of 0. 7 per kilowatt was assumed, in line
with the regulated average price of electricity for domestic
Public gardens are often over
use in Spain, including taxes, for the year that the tests
were carried out.
irrigated, although considerably less
during the hot summer months
Pipeline sizing Once the sprinklers and their positions were
selected, the ideal pipeline dimension was determined for
each permutation.
Total pipeline pressure loss was obtained by adding the
continuous pressure losses between sprinklers, with the
minimum pipeline length that fulfils the established design
criteria being chosen.
Moreover, the total ow rate required at the irrigation
system inlet was obtained by the addition of all the
individual sprinkler ow rates. y using this method,
the ow rate and pressure requirements of the irrigation
system were obtained for each combination being studied.
4. Irrigation dose
The irrigation dose was calculated on the assumptions
that the quantities required for watering public gardens
using sprinklers, was considerably less than that required
Figure 2. Types of sprinklers based on the rotation
angle. The arrow shows the water inlet
38
Water costs were standardized in line with the assumption
that all of the designs would apply the same volume of
water for each irrigation surface.
The optimal option, which allowed irrigation at the lowest
cost for each sprinkler brand and irrigation surface, took
into account the combination of the different possible
working pressures, nozzles and pumps for each sprinkler.
This optimal solution was designed to arrive at a total cost
(installation costs, water costs and plus energy costs),
computed for each one of the cases studied.
Results
The results discussed here correspond to both of the
locations studied in Girona and Elche. However the
information analyzed and reported on are those drawn
from the Girona location to avoid duplicating information.
The methodology used allows the energy consumption to
be compared for possible combinations of sprinklers and
working pressures in gardens of different surface areas. In
the analysis it is assumed that the developer selects the
combination of material and pressure that minimizes the
irrigation installation costs.
One of the assumptions of the exercise was that the
gardens were covered with turfgrass, since this is the most
common vegetation in gardens. Experience indicates that
in the Mediterranean area a culture of humid weather
gardening is becoming popular.
Designed according to the Anglo-Saxon model, most
Mediterranean gardens use turfgrass at the main
ornamental plant instead of native species, which need
less water. In any event, it has been concluded that
irrespective of the which type of grass was selected, it
would not change the order of the designs according to
consumption, but only the absolute value of consumption.
The study assumed that irrigation management would
take in the factor of evapotranspiration to a certain extent,
while also following the assumption that Public gardens
are often over irrigated, although considerably less during
the hot summer months.
ltimately it was concluded that considering the advantages
and disadvantages of different irrigation schedule criteria is
not necessarily liable to have a significant defect in energy
and water consumption as long as irrigation uniformity in
public parks and gardens remains inconsistent. A factor
that is usually caused by lack of proper planning and poor
designs of the irrigation systems constructed. ■
39
Effect of irrigation on
processed tomato yield and
antioxidant components
Introduction
The tomato plant is cultivated all over the world and
remains one of the most widely consumed produce
items. Tomatoes are a significant food crop with more
than 100 million tons of fresh fruit produced on a
cultivated area of .7 million hectares. The top five
leading fruit-producing countries are the United States,
China, Turkey, Italy, and India.
Health qualities of the processed tomato fruit is determined
by the interactions between varieties; environmental
factors such as light, temperature and water supply
with the composition of the nutrient solution and crop
management also playing a considerable part.
Water supply plays a very important part for yield quantity
In recent years, water supply
has become increasingly limited
worldwide, a situation that has
brought about an increasing necessity
to reduce the quantity of water used
in irrigation practices
and quality. Cultivating tomatoes for processing can only
be profitable where yields of no less than
to 70 tonnes
per hectare, a level which demands the highest levels
of technological expertise, particularly when applied to
aspects of propagation and methods of Irrigation.
Efficient irrigation is essential to maintain higher yields
and certain growers have been known to regularly
achieve yields of between 90 to 100 tonnes per hectare.
In recent years, water supply has become increasingly
limited worldwide, a situation that has brought about
an increasing necessity to reduce the quantity of water
used in irrigation practices. As a result, there has been
considerable research carried out relating to the in uence
of irrigation practices not only on the size and quality of
yields but also on the grower’s ability to retain the on the
nutritional quality of the tomato plants that they cultivate,
in particular its three main nutritional attributes, (lycopene,
phenolic compounds, and ascorbic acid).
The lycopene content of tomato fruits is in uenced not
only by the variety but also by the cultivation methods
and environmental conditions. Chlorophyll breaks down
and carotenoids, mostly lycopene, accumulate during the
ripening.
Tomato fruits should also be rich in polyphenols, which
amount to the largest part of the antioxidant capacity
of the soluble phase. Thermal stress induces the
accumulation of phenolic compounds like avonoids and
phenylpropanoids.
A recent study was carried out in Hungary to establish
the effects of irrigation on the yield parameters and main
antioxidant components of processing tomato.
Materials and methods
This experiment was conducted at an experimental farm
in y r, ungary, significantly 0 meter above sea level.
Various physical properties of the soil at the experimental
site are presented in Table One.
The experimental field is composed of brown forest soil,
with a mechanical composition of sand and sandy clay,
with the subsoil water situated five meters below soil level,
and unable to in uence any level of water turnover. In
Hungary tomatos are usually planted after the last spring
frost, around the beginning of May. In the case of this trial,
the tomato seeds were sown in a greenhouse in and then
transplanted- on the th May in year one and the th of
May in year two.
The experiment used a randomized block design, and
there were eight replications created in year one and four
in year two in for each of the treatments.
Seedlings were arranged in double (twin) rows with a
distance of . and 0. m between the rows and 0. m
between the plants, with a plant density of . plants per
square meter. For the purposes of the experiment, all of
the plots were irrigated at a total amount of 0 mm before
planting for good soil water status.
Two different irrigation treatment regimes were
40
The effect
of irrigation
was more
clearly felt in
the case of
implemented.
Some plants were regularly irrigated and while others had
their irrigation cut off 30 days before harvest, while others
were irrigated right up until harvest. In addition, certain
plants were totally rain-fed.
Irrigation levels were calculated by considering the daily
potential evapotranspiration for the forecasting period,
adjusted according to levels of precipitation. In the event
that precipitation levels covered the irrigation demand until
the next irrigation date, then irrigation was suspended.
If natural preticipation worked out to be less than the
calculated demand, then levels of irrigation were adjusted
accordingly.
The plants were irrigated each Monday, Wednesday and
riday morning from the period ranging from the th une
until the 7th August in year one, and from th May until
th August in year two.
Irrigation levels at the section where cut-off was predetermined, irrigation levels were set and the sections
regularly irrigated until the th uly in year one and 0th
of uly in year two.
After these dates, these plants did not receive water
through irrigation. In year one, 7 ,
, and
mm of
water respectively was utilized for the plants in the two
different irrigation treatments and the rain-fed control
during the season, and in year two, the quantities were
,
, and 0 mm of water for the plants in the same
experimental configuration (Figure One). Irrigation water
was given out by drip irrigation equipment, using one lateral
for every twin row. The spacing between the emitters was
cms, and the discharge rate of the emitters was liters
per hour.
The fruits were harvested on the rd August in year one
and th August 00 in year two.
average fruit
Results
As far as meteorological conditions were
concerned, the two growing seasons
showed totally different characteristics.
The average temperatures of the
growing periods in year one was . C
and in year two
. C, respectively.
The total precipitation during the tomato
growing period was
mm in year
one, which is average for the year, while
in year two, the total precipitation was
0 mm, almost twice the average.
In addition, weather conditions in
year one were remarkably cooler than
Average, while being totally average
during year two.
recipitation levels during the growing
season would have been adequate for a
medium yield during year two, although
yields would have been affected due to
uneven distribution was uneven. The
percentage of the total water supply
in the form of precipitation during the
treatment period was
in year
two, while the longest duration where
no precipitation was recorded was 17
days in year one, while it was only
days in year two (Figure One).
This characteristic of the uneven
distribution of rainfall was found to have
a considerable affect the rain-fed plants,
especially when rainfall occurred in a
concentrated manner, as it did from the
41
weight,
which was
shown to
increase in
the section
where
irrigation
was cut off
by 23% and
40% where
irrigation
continued till
harvest
a e
ne
e ture status fie
Soil Layers
(cm)
7 a e wo
u
ensity o t e soi profi e
Silt
(%)
Clay
(%)
Field Capacity
(%)
Wilting Point
(%)
u
ensity
(g-cm -3)
.
.
9.3
.
7.3
. 7
7 .
.
.
7.
7.7
.
77.7
.
.
.
.
1.73
.
.0
.
.
.
.
0-7
capacity wi tin points an
Sand
(%)
0
uantati e yie
Treatments
Rainfed- Year One
parametes o tomato pro uction
ar eta e ie
ton ectare
um er o mar eta e ruits
t ousan per ectare
. 7
.
7.
1.13
.0
Regularly irrigated -Year One
.
. 7
.
Rainfed- Year Two
.
1.19
.
1.90
0.
.
.
Cut- Off Year One
Cut- Off Year Two
Regularly irrigated -Year Two
.0
era e ruit wei
(gram)
101.9
.0
beginning of uly during year two. This phenomena caused
continuous owering, fruit setting, and fruit development in
the ripening period, resulting in an accumulation of small
green fruits, which were largely unmarketable.
Effect of irrigation on tomato yield quantity
and Brix degree
The effect of irrigation on yield quantity and quality
significantly depended on the weather and especially
on temperature and precipitation conditions during the
growing season.
The effect of irrigation increased the marketable yield by
Figure One: Average daily temperatures , total
evapotransoiration(ETp) irrigation, cut off and
precipitation during growing seasons one and two
t
in the section where irrigation was cut off and
where irrigation continued till harvest in year one and by
in the section where irrigation was cut off and
where irrigation continued till harvest in year two.
Irrigation treatments were found to significantly affect the
average fruit weight and number of set fruits per hectare
(Table Two). Marketable fruits per hectare decreased
by 0 in the cut-off group and increased by
in the
regularly irrigated group in year one, and also increased
by 0 and
in year two.
The effect of irrigation was more clearly felt in the case
of average fruit weight, which was shown to increase in
the section where irrigation was cut off by
and 0
where irrigation continued till harvest in year one and by
in the section where irrigation was cut off and by the
same percentage where irrigation continued till harvest in
year two.
ain-fed plants produced lower yields of
in year one,
while cutoff and irrigated plant yields were found to be
77 and
higher than in year one.
A decrease in the soluble solid content of fruits was
negligible in irrigated treatments in both years. The soluble
solid content of fruits was often very high without irrigation,
while other quality parameters of fruits were found to have
decreased.
Effect of irrigation on antioxidant components
of tomato fruit
Lycopene, total polyphenols, and ascorbic acid content in
relation to water supplementation were evaluated in both
years one and two. The average lycopene concentration
of the treatments was found to range from
to
42
milligrams per kilo, a difference of close to 70 , with
difference significant differences discovered among the
average lycopene content of the treatments. Rain-fed
plants were found to contain the highest average lycopene
content of all,
milligram per kilo in year one and
milligram per kilo in year two, respectively.
The total polyphenol content of the plants that underwent
regular irrigation treatment was significantly lower in the
examined years at
and
, respectively.
In contrast to the total polyphenol content, higher ascorbic
acid content was found in the regularly irrigated treatments
in both years, with a significant difference only being noted
in year two.
Irrigation or regular rainfall was shown to have a negative
effect on the main antioxidant components.
Discussion
Overall it was ascertained that regular conventional
drip irrigation could actually cause a complex effect in
increasing yield, with one of the principal effects being
the increased number of marketable fruits per hectare.
Stronger and healthier
lants were shown to produce higher rates of owering
fruit set as well as ripened fruits.
This effect, while clearly realized, was not found to be
significant in either year, despite the uneven distribution of
precipitation in year two. The second
The main effect was the increased weight of the fruits. The
seasonal effect was also remarkable, but it did not have as
strong an effect as that of properly and routinely applied
irrigation. ■
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eryone in o e
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Nitrogen Fertilizer Affects
Fresh Weight and Dry Matter
Concentration in Hayward Kiwifruit
Introduction
Deciding the quantities of nitrogen (N) to apply to
deciduous perennial crops each year still remains a
subject of great debate. Inputs are often based on previous
seasons’ values, adjusted to account for any changes in
annual leaf and soil test results.
Alternatively fertilizer can be applied to replace the N
removed from the system each year in the fruit plus an
amount to cover losses from volatilisation or leaching. In
‘Hayward’ Kiwifruit orchards around 27 to 48 kg N ha-1 is
removed in fruit and growers typically apply 75 to 100 kg N
ha-1, although N inputs can range from 0 to 200 kg N ha-1.
Deciding the quantities of nitrogen
(N) to apply to deciduous perennial
crops each year still remains a
subject of great debate
The plant is also supplied with N from the soil and N
remobilised from existing vine reserves, so it is important
to understand the contribution these major sources of N
to productivity so that fertilizer N can be applied at the
right time and the right amount to maximise fruit quality
and yield.
In the past forty years, improvements to orchard
management practices have dramatically increased
productivity of ‘Hayward’ Kiwifruit orchards. The
improvements include changes in pruning systems so that
less vigorous wood types are used. A successful Kiwifruit
grower could produce around 40 tons of fruit per hectare
with optimum fresh weight (FW) of 110 g and Dry Matter
Concentration (DMC) of 17%, equivalent to a crop load of
~ 40 fruit m-2 of canopy.
The potential for optimizing N input for maximum grower
returns remains a grey area. Excessive N application and
generates excessive shade which can adversely affect
fruit quality. n the downside, insufficient supplies of can
reduce leaf expansion and shoot growth, while reducing
individual leaf photosynthesis, resulting in insufficient
assimilate available for fruit growth or for return bloom in
the following season.
To determine whether input can be modified to enhance
Kiwifruit productivity, a series of replicated N input trials
were carried out, in orchards where ‘Hayward’ Kiwifruit
orchards were being cultivated in varying environments
with different soil types. The aim of the trial was to
determine if there are predictors of productivity that can
be used to indicate how much N to supply, and at what
intervales.
The purpose of the trial was to ascertain how N input
affected vine productivity, specifically crop load, FW
and DMC in three of the orchards during the first year
of the trial.
Materials and methods
Nitrogen input trials were established in commercial
orchards situated in the North Island of New Zealand
beginning in the winter month of August.. Soil properties
(including pH, organic matter, available N) were measured
before fertilizer application using standard industry
sampling and analysis methods.
Combined subsamples were taken from the top 15 cm of
the soil from across the trial area. The vines were grown
on a pergola system with each vine canopy occupying
approximately 30 m2. In the spring of the trial year,
treatments were applied by broadcast application of solid
fertilizer, granular calcium ammonium nitrate, to replicate
plots of two to three vines, four to six replicates per orchard
depending on the orchard layout.
Treatments levels were 0, N and 2N, where N = the
standard N application rate for each grower, typically 75
to 100 kg N ha-1, except orchard 1 where the standard
application rate was 0 (see Table One).
Bud break data were collected and used to calculate the
numbers of owers per winter bud, an indicator of potential
productivity. All fruitlets removed by hand from each plot
during the commercial thinning season were collected,
dried and weighed.
44
Fig. 1. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer input on fruit A) fresh weight and B) dry matter
concentration on kiwifruit harvested from three ‘Hayward’ orchards
Vines were pruned in summer and all pruned shoots
were collected, counted and weighed to give an estimate
of canopy vigour. Leaf attributes (area, FW, DW mineral
nutrient concentrations) were measured on a 10 leaves
per replicate, sampled in February.
canopy. Mean FW and DMC were measured on a
subsample of 60 fruits per replicate. Data were analyzed
using analysis of variance to determine the effect of
treatments and orchard and their interactions on measured
responses.
No N fertilizer had been applied to the vines in Orchard
At commercial harvest, which took place in the April of
ne for the previous five years, yet there was no evidence
the following year, crop load (fruit per square meter) was
from leaf or soil tests taken that the vines were -deficient
measured on a subsample, typically half, of each
(Table One).
Orchard Two was found to
Table One. Characteristics of the three ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit orchards tested, based be most typical of the main
growing areas in New Zealand.
on measurements from vines receiving standard orchard management
Strong winds in early spring had
Orchard
affected canopy development
Attribute
One
Two
Three
and may have reduced overall
productivity.
Flowers per Bud
187
1.35
2.59
Orchard
Three
was
the
Crop load (Fruit per square meter)
33
28
54
southern-most of the three and
Soil Organic matter (%)
6.5
10.6
6.4
received greater winter chilling,
-1)
Soil Available N (kh ha
158
85
172
re ected in the higher number
of owers per winter bud than
Leaf N (% DW)
1.98
2.26
1.85
its more northern counterparts
Leaf Area (cm2)
145
135
146
(Table One).
N input in standard practice (kg- ha1)
08
75
90
In this orchard, the vines carried
a heavier crop load than is
Table Two. Effect of N input on the dry weight of fruitlets removed during thinning typical and owered sooner
and shoot removed during summer pruning in four ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit orchards
than the other orchards.
Thinned fruitlets (kg DW plot -1)
Summer Prunings (kg DW plot -1)
OrNitrogen Input
Nitrogen Input
chard
0
N8
2N
P-value
0
N8
2N
P-value
Generally, lower N input resulted
in more fruitlets being thinned
1
0.39 0.21 0.29
0.071
0.19 0.32 0.35
0.162
from the vines,
2
0.71 0.48 0.46
0.155
0.17 0.22 0.24
0.811
although this result was not
3
5.2
5.3
3.6
0.492
2.6
2.3
3.0
0.300
statistically significant (Table
Two).
*N=100, 75 and 90 kg N per hectare in Orchards One, Two and Three respectively
Results and
discussion
45
Fig. 2. Effect of nitrogen fertilizer input on A) nitrogen concentration and B) nitrogen
per unit area in leaves sampled from three ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit orchards;
Fruitlets are usually thinned to reduce crop loads so that
the remaining fruit attain a higher final fruitweight (FW).
Despite the increased fruitlet thinning, in the low N vines,
FW tended to be higher in the vines receiving increased N
input (Table Two; Figure One).
This finding suggests that insufficient
availability can
limit fruit growth. Despite leaf and soil tests suggesting
all the vines had sufficient status, it is possible that the
demand for at a specific time exceeds that which the soil
and reserves can supply. In ‘Hayward’ vines, the greatest
demand for N occurs in three weeks after fruit set when
fruit are growing rapidly. P[revious research has shown that
vines receiving no added N produced more undersized
fruit than vines receiving 100 and 200 kg N ha-1, and vines
receiving
0, 00 and
0 kg
ha- had significantly
higher mean fruit FW than vines receiving 0 kg N ha-1.
In one study, additional applications of N around one and
four weeks after full bloom increased final fruit
.
Increased N input tended to reduce fruit DMC (Table Two;
Figure Two).
Regrowth from pruning cuts can also compete with fruit for
FW and DW accumulation.
The relationship between increased N input and increased
pruning weight was found to be minor, and further work
will be required to determine if these two attributes can
be related to each other. Summer pruning DW gives an
estimate of early-season canopy growth, and there may be
better indicators of canopy density such as leaf area index
or weight of winter prunings, which is indicative of shoot
growth over the entire season, not just early summer.
The most marked increase in leaf N concentration
occurred in Orchard Three which also had the lowest leaf
N concentrations, the highest standard N input and the
highest crop loads (Table One). It is difficult to interpret
what this result means in terms of plant productivity. If low
leaf N concentration was limiting photosynthesis in Orchard
Three then an increase in leaf N and leaf photosynthesis
may result in increased vines reserves and increased
return bloom.
Conclusions
ayward orchardists receive financial incentives to
produce high crop loads of fruit with high DMC. Preliminary
results suggest that too little N could limit Fruit Weight
accumulation, whereas too much N could reduce Dry
Matter Concentration in Hayward Kiwifruit.
Standard leaf and soil tests may not be the best
predictors of how much N an orchard needs to optimize
fruit FW and DMC. ■
Table Three. Effect of orchard, treatment (nitrogen input) and their interactions on key attributes of
fruit and leaves sampled from ‘Hayward’ kiwifruit vines
P- value
FW
DMC
Crop Load
Leaf N (conc)
Leaf N (area)
Orchard
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
<0.001
Treatment
0.056
0.080
0.295
<0.001
0.176
Orchard *Treatment
0.792
0.949
0.302
0.047
0.913
46
e
t
A
D
e
h
t
e
v
SA
Irrigation Show—Nov. 6-7 • Education Conference—Nov. 4-8
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