Which material is commonly used for drip irrigation pipe?

• A. Polyvinyl chloride
• B. High-Density Polyethylene
• C. Polyethylene
• D. Copper

Answer: (C)

Polyethylene fits the needs of drip irrigation tubing best because it’s flexible, easy to install, and resistant to the chemicals and salts found in irrigation water. This allows emitters to be spaced along a long, continuous tube that can be rolled out, buried, and joined with simple fittings without the rigidity or brittleness of metal or rigid plastics. While HDPE is a type of polyethylene and can be used for larger mainlines, the drip tubing itself is typically polyethylene, making it the standard choice. Rigid materials like PVC or costly metals like copper aren’t practical for the flexible, buried tubing used in drip systems.