Once the application is accessed on www.toromicroirrigation.com or www.dripirrigation.org from either a computer or any smart phone, growers can quickly get answers by choosing an Aqua-Traxx model and then entering the tape inlet pressure, tape lateral spacing and drip system emission uniformity. Different Aqua-Traxx models and new data may be entered as often as desired.

“The application rate of a drip irrigation system varies according to four basic factors and can be confusing,” says Claude Corcos, senior marketing manager at Toro Micro-Irrigation. “Our new Aqua-Traxx Irrigation Calculator does all the work and makes it easy for growers to determine the application rate of their drip tape system.”

Users can choose the Aqua-Traxx model from a pull down menu, and then change the default values of inlet pressure, tape lateral spacing and emission uniformity to reflect their actual field conditions. The application rate (in inches per hour) is shown immediately, along with two additional calculations for how long the system needs to be run to apply 0.1 inches per hour or one inch per hour.

For example, assuming an Aqua-Traxx model is chosen that has emitters spaced eight inches apart with a flow rate of 0.34 gpm/100 feet, the inlet pressure is 10 psi, the tape lateral spacing is 3.5 feet and the emission uniformity is 90 per cent. In this situation, the Aqua-Traxx Irrigation Calculator would calculate the system application rate of 0.09 inches per hour. Thus it will take 1.1 hours to apply 0.1 inch of water, or 11.1 hours to apply one inch of water.

“Customized drip tape systems are becoming more popular every day,” continues Corcos, “and innovative growers use different drip tape flow rates, spacings, pressures and lateral spacings to reap top profitability on a myriad of crops. The calculator helps them calculate the application rate, which in turn helps them more easily schedule their irrigations, manage their crops and select appropriate models and system uniformity.”