Page 15 - Griffin Gazette Issue 1 - 2022

PRECISION VS IRRIGATION TIMING AND WATER
BROADCAST ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS RECAPTURE
IRRIGATION Environmental conditions hugely impact how quickly plants Some production systems

There are many ways that will dry down. These conditions can change rapidly day to allow growers to continuously
water can be delivered day, certainly season to season. Take the time to review your recirculate water, while others
to crops. Some of these environmental conditions such as relative humidity and air allow for runoff recapture.
methods undoubtedly temperature and monitor how quickly your plants are drying Both types of systems have
lead to greater wastewater down between irrigations. Irrigation frequencies should be their limitations, but both
than others. Methods such reduced if plants are not able to dry down between events. are strong tools when it
as overhead watering or Irrigation duration should be reduced if a large amount of comes to water conservation.
unmetered water wands runoff is observed after irrigation events. Recirculating systems keep
often result in water outside water within channels and
of pots, excessive run-off, reservoirs, eliminating runoff
and watering areas that do entirely. These systems need
not even contain plants. to be regularly topped up
These methods do have with fresh water and nutrients
the advantage of being as plants take them up, and
very labor efficient, but that reservoirs should be tested
does not mean that more periodically to watch for
conservative methods MUST uneven build up of individual
take more labor. Employing elements. Recirculating
per pot emitters or tools such systems also face root
as drip tape take a bit more disease control issues, but
labor upfront but can lead many crops have a variety
to huge labor AND water of pesticides, sanitizers,
savings later in the crop. and other tools available
to deal with pathogen
outbreaks. Runoff that has
been recaptured requires
LEACHING AND some sanitation and filtration
RUNOFF treatment, but recapture can
Traditional watering wisdom help prevent excess fertilizers
calls for 10-20% runoff from leaching into the water
portion with every irrigation, table or affecting other
but is this really necessary? environmental resources.
The answer here is – usually RAINWATER COLLECTION
not. Irrigating to runoff
accomplishes two goals: Exploring other sources of water and recapturing runoff can Image: Netafim
one, we ensure that water make a huge impact on overall water use. Capturing, storing, water recycling
is penetrating through the and using rainwater may be a viable supplement for some systems
entire container profile, and produces in some areas of the country. There are no federal
two, we avoid salt build up restrictions on rainwater capture; check your local state
within container media by regulations for potential restrictions.
washing excess salts down
and out of the container.
By lowering fertilizer
concentrations and reducing The debate over water use and water scarcity isn’t going anywhere. Observed climate
irrigation amount, the same trends have scientists predicting that droughts may become more severe in coming
effects can be achieved with
little to no runoff at all. These years. Growers who practice fertilizer and water conservation strategies now will be
techniques save on both better prepared to handle water restrictions and issues as they pop up, preventing
water and fertilizer salts. costly interruptions while new strategies have to be employed on the fly.

GRIFFIN GAZETTE 2022 | 15