Jakhar et al. (2026) HYDRUS simulations of the consequences of implementing an irrigation and drainage system based on nanopore porous pipes

Identification

• Journal: Irrigation Science
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-07
• Authors: Pankaj Jakhar, Himanchal Bhardwaj, Sunil Duhan, Anand Krishnan Plappally
• DOI: 10.1007/s00271-025-01075-0

Research Groups

Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India

Short Summary

This study utilizes HYDRUS (2-D) simulations to evaluate the performance of novel non-glazed ceramic-based nanopore porous pipes (NPPP) for integrated subsurface irrigation and drainage in light-textured soils. The research demonstrates that NPPP, especially when combined with capillary barriers and mound formations, offers improved water use effectiveness and efficient soil moisture management compared to traditional drip irrigation.

Objective

• To evaluate the performance of a novel integrated irrigation and drainage system based on nanopore porous pipes (NPPP) in light-textured soils using HYDRUS simulations.
• To assess the NPPP system's effectiveness for both irrigation (reducing seepage losses and maintaining soil moisture) and drainage (removing excess water), particularly when combined with capillary barriers (CB) and mound formations.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale:
  • Simulation domain: 40 cm wide and 100 cm deep.
  • NPPP: 10 cm thick walls, 50 cm length (for manufacturing context), 0.1 cm/h saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC).
  • Capillary Barrier (CB): 10 cm thick sand layer, placed 10 cm from the center of the NPPP.
  • Mound: Triangular shape with sides inclined at 45° to the horizontal.
  • NPPP depth: 40 cm in plain ground, 30 cm in mound simulations.
  • Dripper diameter: 1 cm.
• Temporal Scale:
  • Irrigation simulations: 0–1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h.
  • Drainage simulations: 24 h, following 5 h of uniform precipitation.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: HYDRUS (2-D) software package, solving Richards' equation using the Finite Element Method. Soil hydraulic properties were described by the van Genuchten–Mualem model.
• Data sources:
  • NPPP: Locally manufactured from 50% clay and 50% organic material (sawdust); characterized for porosity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. Saturated hydraulic conductivity (SHC) was measured.
  • Soil properties: Loamy sand, sandy loam, and sand parameters were sourced from the HYDRUS library (Carsel and Parrish, 1988). Local soil samples (0–15 cm depth) from Jodhpur, India, were analyzed for particle size distribution and bulk density, and hydraulic parameters were estimated using the Rosetta pedo-transfer function and constant head permeability test.
  • Vegetation: Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicon) crop was modeled, with root water uptake parameters from existing literature.
  • Rainfall data: Maximum daily rainfall of 179 mm in Jodhpur on 10 July 2016 (Ministry of Earth Sciences, 2020) was used for drainage simulations.

Main Results

• NPPP Characteristics: Manufactured NPPP (50% clay:50% sawdust) had an average porosity of 12.21%, a multi-point BET surface area of 19.65 m²/g, and a SHC of 0.1 cm/h. SEM analysis confirmed a porosity gradient, with a less porous outer surface and a highly porous inner structure.
• Irrigation Performance (NPPP vs. Drip):
  • The wetted area (WA) irrigated by NPPP was 18% lower than traditional drip irrigation after 12 h for loamy sand and 37% lower for sandy loam soils.
  • NPPP maintained higher moisture concentration compared to drip irrigation, particularly in sandy loam.
  • NPPP showed a higher ratio of wetted soil width to depth (Hw/Vw) (0.86-0.87 for loamy sand, 0.81 for sandy loam) compared to drip irrigation (0.73-0.84 for loamy sand, 0.74-0.77 for sandy loam), indicating better lateral water spread and reduced percolation losses.
• Capillary Barrier (CB) Effect:
  • CB significantly restricted downward moisture movement, reducing the WA by 10% to 20% (over 2-24 h) in sandy loam, thereby increasing moisture availability in the upper root zone.
  • CB effectiveness was slightly reduced in loamy sand due to its hydraulic conductivity being closer to sand.
• Sequential Irrigation: Sequential irrigation resulted in a higher inflow flux compared to continuous irrigation for the same total flow duration, as the second pulse encountered partially saturated soil with improved hydraulic conductivity.
• Mound Formation: Mound structures enhanced the effective surface area for plant growth and promoted greater root propagation near the NPPP. Type 4 irrigation with mounds maintained higher moisture levels in the immediate vicinity of the NPPP for longer durations while minimizing evaporation.
• Vegetation Impact: The presence of vegetation (tomato) primarily influenced water content in the top 15-20 cm of the soil profile. Beyond 24 h, plant uptake dominated soil water dynamics, making the effect of different irrigation schemes negligible.
• Drainage Performance: The NPPP system effectively drained 2.77% of the total precipitated water (179 mm over 5 h) within 24 h, regardless of the presence of CB or mounds, partially draining the root zone within 12 h and reducing the chances of anaerobic conditions.

Contributions

• Development and evaluation of a novel, integrated nanopore porous pipe (NPPP) system capable of bidirectional water movement for both subsurface micro-irrigation and controlled drainage.
• Demonstration of the NPPP system's ability to enhance water-use efficiency and manage soil moisture more effectively in light-textured soils compared to traditional drip irrigation.
• Integration of capillary barriers (CB) and mound formations to further optimize the NPPP system by reducing seepage losses, concentrating moisture in the root zone, and improving conditions for plant growth.
• Provision of a sustainable solution for soil-water management that addresses both drought stress and waterlogging risks in the context of climate change.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Citation

@article{Jakhar2026HYDRUS,
  author = {Jakhar, Pankaj and Bhardwaj, Himanchal and Duhan, Sunil and Plappally, Anand Krishnan},
  title = {HYDRUS simulations of the consequences of implementing an irrigation and drainage system based on nanopore porous pipes},
  journal = {Irrigation Science},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1007/s00271-025-01075-0},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00271-025-01075-0}
}