Photos supplied by Duncan Farquhar of Ecoconnections.

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A SYSTEM of using dragon-line drip irrigation is promising greater water use efficiency in the southern Riverina.

The concept was further explored during a Finley field day.

The aim is to share the on-property adaptations, which have already shown water and energy savings in the vicinity of 20 per cent to 50 per cent.

Duncan Farquhar of Wagga is founder of ecoconnect.me and is working with irrigation specialist Tetaan Henning. The team has collaborated with Finley irrigator Cameron Robertson in adopting the dragon-line concept to irrigate cotton.

"Dragon-line transforms conventional mobile irrigation to drip technology, giving you the same benefits as conventional drip irrigation without the astronomical capital investment," Mr Henning said.

The system can reduce tubing by 95 per cent. This means it is above the surface and you can see the water running.

He explained that the system was developed by Monty Teeter 11 years ago in the US. The aim was to save water in mid-west of North America. The system was developed out of necessity due to less water availability.

"Currently here in Australia we have cotton, corn, potatoes and lucerne, under dragon-line (irrigation), " he said.

Vegetables including tomatoes, carrots, broccoli would be well suited to the system.

Meanwhile, Mr Farquhar explained that the system helped to reduce weed growth because you could eliminate germination by not watering the entire surface.

He said although it was early days the potential of this system in Australia was exciting.

At the Finley property results have indicated a 15 per cent reduction in water use for cotton. Yields had also increased by two bales a hectare.

"These crops (at Finley) are looking good, we are really excited about the possibilities for next season because we learned so much this year," Mr Farquhar said.