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Micro-Irrigation systems routinely achieve design emission uniformities (EU) of over 90% on fields that have great variability in length of run or terrain. Excellent design EUs may be achieved with both pressure compensating (PC) and non-pressure compensating (non-PC) drip tape, dripline, online emitters, sprays and micro-sprinkler emission devices using proper hydraulic design. However, in many cases, PC devices are preferred due to superior performance. Until recently, PC devices commanded a substantial price premium over non-PC devices which limited widespread adoption. But due to manufacturing innovations over the past decade, high performance PC driplines are now available at a marginal price premium compared to non-PC driplines, which has resulted in their widespread adoption compared to non-PC driplines. The same is expected to occur for drip tapes through manufacturing innovations that are expected to create higher performance PC drip tapes that command only a marginal price premium vs. currently available PC and non-PC drip tapes. As widespread adoption takes place, significant benefits are expected as a result of improving irrigation uniformity with PC.
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Inge Bisconer (2011) studied this question.
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