Low-pressure drip irrigation system, comprising a distribution pipe
made of thin-walled sleeve collapsible when empty and designed to operate under
hydraulic head up to 3 m H2O, having a plurality of holes in the walls
thereof, a plurality of branch tubes equipped with low-pressure drip emitters;
and a plurality of connectors connecting the branch tubes to the holes of the distribution pipe.
The sleeve material is opaque and reflecting the solar radiation so that the
natural growth of microorganisms and algae in the irrigation water is suppressed,
and the pipe is not heated more than 35 C. above the ambient air temperature.
The irrigation system is assembled in the field from components of a kit by deploying
the distribution pipe, filling it with water, cutting the holes by means of a special
band-held tool, inserting the connectors into the holes, and assembling the branch
tubes with the connectors.