Power and water source limitations need to be considered. Water should be analyzed by a laboratory that is qualified to evaluate emitter plugging hazards. Water quality may provide limitations and increase system costs. Filters must match worst case scenarios. Injectors for chemigation should be included.
Flow meters are necessary to confirm system performance.
Management of drip irrigation 1. Plan for seed emergence. The drip tape needs to be sufficiently near the surface to germinate the seed if necessary, or a portable sprinkler system needs to be available. For example, SDI with the tape tube 4 to 5 inches deep has been used successfully to germinate onion seeds in silt loam soil. Deep placement of drip tape at 12 inches failed to uniformly germinate onions.