The aim of this work was to develop an electronic system for control of water pH in microirrigation. The study was accomplished in the Hydraulics Laboratory of Biossystems Engineering Department, Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" (ESALQ/USP). The water pH control system has a device for acid injection controlled by a solenoid valve. This valve is switched on by electric pulses from a microcontroller. The system was evaluated for different water pH values (ranging from 6.2 to 9.2) under constant (264 L h-1) and variable flow. The pH was measured immediately on system downstream, and along the lateral line at 1, 14, 29, and 44 m from the lateral inlet, tests were also accomplished for different intervals of time. The obtained results proved the efficiency of the system on maintaining water pH in desired range for constant and variable flow conditions. Meaningful temporal or spatial variations along lateral irrigation line were not observed.
clogging control; ions precipitation; treatment water
