Cost-Effective Performance of Wind Pump Operated Drip Irrigation System for Greenhouse Rose Cultivation

In this study performance of the wind pump10 m high reciprocating gear type with 18 blades rotor installed on a 4 inch diameter 61 m (200ft) deep bore-well at the CAET, JAU, Junagadh (21.53⁰N, 70.53^oE), Gujarat, India was studied for drip/micro tube irrigation of rose pots kept in 40’ x 16’ size greenhouse covered with 200 micron thick UVS polyethylene transparent sheet. From the study it was found that the region has quite good potential of wind energy during the 5 months, from January to May 2014, the average wind velocity varied between 3.50 km/hr to 8.60 km/hr and average discharge was recorded 1800 lit./day from 46m pumping depth. The highest discharge was recorded as 96657 liter during the month of May. Based on analysis of data it can be said that locality having average wind velocity less than 7 km/hr and discharge of water less than 1500 lit., the maximum 2100 sq ft area of the greenhouse can be irrigated. Wind velocity ranging between 8 to 12 km/hr and discharge between 1500 to 2500 lit./day, the maximum greenhouse area was calculated as 3500 sq ft. Wind velocity greater than 12 km/hr and discharge greater than 2500 lit./day, the minimum size of the greenhouse can be irrigated is 4725 sq ft (say for 3500 lit/day). The economic analysis of the study revealed that the wind pump is more feasible and cheap as comparedto mono-block pump (1.0 HP) and submersible pump (0.75 HP). The pumping cost per 1000 lit. in case of mono-block pump and submersible pump was Rs. 7.50 and Rs. 6.50 respectively where as in case of wind pump it was only Rs. 3.30.