Irrigação subterrânea: dimensionamento, construção e aplicação de um sistema piloto

Water scarcity in Brazil's northeastern semi-arid region is one of the major challenges to sustainable agriculture. Aiming to promote the rational use of water and ensure greater irrigation efficiency, this article presents the design, construction, and application of a pilot subsurface drip irrigation system. The system was installed on an experimental scale at the Department of Nuclear Energy of the Federal University of Pernambuco and designed using computational hydraulic simulations. In addition to remote monitoring and automation, the system irrigates according to crop needs, helping to reduce water waste and improve agricultural productivity, as demonstrated in the bean crop tests. The structure includes reservoirs, a water distribution network, a flow control system, and real-time monitoring components. Initial tests demonstrated good agreement between simulated and measured flow rates, indicating the system's hydraulic feasibility. The prototype also stands out for its energy autonomy, low cost, and replicability in small rural properties. This solution represents a promising alternative to address water stress in vulnerable areas, with both practical and educational applications.