Water is an essential part of plant growth. With climate change and unpredictable weather patterns, rain is no longer a reliable source for watering crops. Many areas of the country experience water scarcity, especially during the summer months. Here are some water-saving irrigation methods that will help your farm and garden flourish with minimal water wastage.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation, also known as trickle irrigation, features narrow pipes with small outlets. Water from the pipe slowly drips to the soil near the plant through the outlet/emitters at a rate from two liters to 20 liters per hour. This irrigation method only touches the ground around a plant, avoiding unnecessary water wastage. Farmers who use drip irrigation water their crops every one to three days to keep the soil moisturized and promote plant growth.
This irrigation system is perfect for crops grown in rows, such as vine crops, vegetables, and trees. Each plant in every row receives water from one or more drippers/emitters. Drip irrigation is a capital-intensive project; therefore, farmers employ this watering system to grow valuable crops for high returns on their investment.
Trickle irrigation is suitable for any slope and can adapt to land elevation changes. It also works on most soils but is applied differently according to the soil. For instance, sand soil requires a higher dripper discharge than clay soil.
The drippers/emitters in the pipes in drip irrigation measure about 1.0 mm in diameter and can easily get blocked by tiny particles like undissolved chemicals and algae. It is therefore crucial that you use clean water in this system without sediments or particles. Drip irrigation is convenient for farmers trying to conserve water without sacrificing crop yield.
Micro-sprinkler Irrigation
Micro-sprinkler irrigation involves the distribution of water in fine droplets using a rotor. The rotor spins and sprays water to a wide area at a low flow rate. This irrigation method consumes less water and energy using a low-pressure pipeline system.
Micro-sprinkler irrigation is convenient for greenhouse use, especially in seedling tray irrigation, and it boosts humidity levels. It is also fit for watering flowers, leafy vegetables, and horticultural crops.
The device features a pump assembly that regulates pressure and flow rate to the greenhouse, filters of different thicknesses, a pipe network, fertilized system, and micro-sprinklers. The model and installation of micro-sprinklers determine the droplet size, scope, and flow rate. The filtering system is an essential part of this watering tool, as this irrigation method requires high water quality without particles or impurities.
When looking for micro-sprinklers and sprayers, consider their spray methods, flow rate, wetting diameter, and moving and non-moving parts. They are available in 360, 180, and 90 degrees and offer lower precipitation rates for a longer watering time. This irrigation system suits farmers looking to add humidity to their greenhouse, water seedlings, gardens, nurseries, and spray pesticides.
Micro tubing Irrigation
Micro tubing irrigation employs ¼-inch flexible polyethylene or vinyl tubes to extend drippers to plants far from poly drip tubing. The microtubing incorporates into the mainline pipe in low-volume drip irrigation systems to water crops. This system involves supplying carefully measured quantities of water directly to the roots of crops, minimizing water wastage.
This watering system is convenient for crops that use drip irrigation as farmers can attach the microtubes to preexisting drip lines.
Micro-tubes are available in 2mm, 4mm, and 8mm diameters and are attached to drippers or water discharge nozzles at the tip. It is crucial to thoroughly filter water in this system to avoid clogging the drippers and nozzles. Drip irrigation is also great for watering trees, flowers, and home gardens through micro driplines and is also suitable for vegetables like spinach, cabbage, carrots, and tomatoes. This system offers a great way to effectively water crops and yield a lot of produce while conserving water.
Hydroponic Irrigation
In hydroponic irrigation, essential nutrients and chemicals vital for crop growth are dissolved in water and fed to plants. There are three types of hydroponic irrigation: deep flow hydroponics, floating systems, and systems for water depth. While this system involves growing crops in water and without soil, it saves more water than most irrigation systems.
Hydroponic irrigation supplies water directly to the roots, and the excess water is collected and stored in a reservoir for future use. This method eliminates the need for herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizer as important components are mixed with water and supplied to the crops. Materials needed for this irrigation system include growing tables, a supporting canal cropping system, culture sacks, drain pans, and systems like NFT (nutrient film technique). You will also need a greenhouse, pumping equipment, nutrient containers, an irrigation scheduler, and ducting fertigation application.
A hydroponic system provides a humid environment for the root system in all weather conditions and lowers the risk of root suffocation through excessive irrigation. It also minimizes the risk of diseases from soil pathogens and pests and maximizes yield and the quality of produce.
Sprinkler Irrigation
Sprinkler irrigation, also known as overhead irrigation, is a power-intensive operation but uses less water to save up to 50% of water. The system involves pumping water through a small diameter nozzle under high pressure and is convenient for any soil. Sprinkler irrigation increases yield and lowers soil compaction, hence promoting soil aeration. Farmers also use sprinklers to spray soluble pesticides and fertilizers to their crops, reducing labor costs. This system is also easy to operate as it can be moved to different areas and works well on any slope. Sprinklers distribute water evenly across the land and prevent mild frosts when used at night.
This irrigation system is suitable for agricultural and residential use. Sprinklers can water your lawn, gardens, golf courses, and crops. The watering system includes pipes, valves, pumps, and sprinklers and is sometimes used to control dust.
Center-pivot irrigation is a type of sprinkler irrigation system that consists of large wheels, pipes, and sprinkler heads to water big farms. Sprinkle irrigation at homes involves using smaller, portable lawn sprinklers such as oscillating, drip, and impact sprinklers.
Conclusion
Today’s world is adapting to water-saving irrigation systems to conserve water and energy. Some of these methods may be power and capital-intensive but guarantee high yield and good returns. Do you need help with a lawn irrigation system? Why not contact Cortada Landscape today for more information?