Subsurface and trickle irrigation are not new ideas;however, at present in the United States they represent only a negligible portion of the land area under irrigation. During the past ten or twelve years a number of investigations have been made of these types of irrigation and their possible uses. Information is needed on the best types of applicators, system design, installation methods, operation, and the costs involved. The need for further development coupled with the need for extensive testing over a number of agricultural cycles, indicates that it will be several years before such systems are ready for widespread use. Even with further development of improved and less expensive equipment, the capital cost of such systems will be high. Present estimates range from $300 to $1000 per acre for row crops, assuming a water supply available at the site. It appears that the major application will be for high-value crops and for particular locations where water is scarce or expensive. The current use of similar irrigation in dry areas of Israel, where soil and water quality are poor, is good evidence that the high capital cost can be justified under the proper conditions.
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