For over 15 years, ITRC has been a leader in drip irrigation research and implementation.  ITRC has conducted numerous studies of drip irrigation on various crops, including buried drip under row and permanent crops, and retrievable drip tape systems, in order to maximize the water-saving benefits of drip systems, and lessen the impact of common problems.  ITRC has also pioneered efforts to promote fertigation and chemigation - the application of fertilizers through irrigation systems.

Each summer, ITRC provides its annual Irrigation Evaluation Program.  ITRC personnel travel throughout California and other states performing evaluations of drip and micro irrigation systems.  Using an evaluation procedure that has been continually updated since 1985, over 800 persons have been trained in the evaluation short courses, and the software is widely used throughout the western U.S.  The ITRC program provides standardized procedures, definitions, and computations for the improvement of drip/micro system distribution uniformity (DU).

Additional information can be found online for:

• Irrigation and Energy Efficiencies of Buried Drip on Peppers

• Performance of Permanent Buried Drip on Trees and Vines