 |
|
Water-conserving irrigation strategies minimize overwatering, runoff
November 05, 2009EAST LANSING, MI-Conserving water and reducing the environmental impact of runoff are two of the most important issues confronting container nursery operations. Current regulations and laws in five states limit water consumption by container nurseries, and some states also limit nutrient concentrations in runoff. Excessive runoff from container plants often results from poor irrigation efficiency; in some cases as little as 13% to 26% of overhead irrigation is retained in the container.
When runoff is not properly managed, water, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals can end up in surrounding water resources, with the potential for environmental contamination. Facing predictions of increased water costs, lower water availability, and increasingly stringent legislation, nursery owners have a keen interest in implementing irrigation practices that conserve water and reduce runoff without adversely affecting crop quality.
Aaron L. Warsaw, R. Thomas Fernandez, Bert M. Cregg, and Jeffrey A. Andresen of Michigan State University published a research experiment in HortScience that investigated whether irrigation scheduling based on daily water use (DWU)-the combined loss of water from plant transpiration and substrate evaporation-could conserve water without negatively impacting plant growth. The researchers set out to determine the effect of scheduling irrigation according to DWU on water conservation and plant growth, determine DWU and water use efficiency (WUE) of several types of common container-grown woody ornamentals, and evaluate the effect of irrigation volume on substrate soluble salt levels.
Fernandez explained the significance of the experiment, remarking; "Applying irrigation based on plant demand or daily water use is a key concept in water conserving irrigation scheduling. However, scientific information regarding the water use of woody ornamentals is limited. Quantifying the DWU of a wide range of container-grown woody ornamentals will allow various species and cultivars to be categorized by water use so those with similar water uses can be grouped together, thus minimizing overwatering and excess runoff."
Ten different woody ornamental plants were grown in containers in 2006 and 2007, and five in 2008. Overhead irrigation was applied in four treatments: a control irrigation rate, irrigation scheduled to replace 100% DWU per application, irrigation alternating every other application with 100% replacement of DWU and 75% DWU, and irrigation scheduled on a three application cycle replacing 100% DWU followed by two applications of 75% DWU. Irrigation applications were separated by at least 24 hours during the experiment.
Daily water use was calculated by measuring the difference in volumetric moisture content 1 hour after irrigation and just prior to irrigation the following day. Species were classified as low, moderate, and high water users with six low, five moderate, and 13 high water users in the study.
According to the study, "scheduling irrigation according to plant DWU substantially reduced the amount of irrigation applied compared with a control for 23 of the 24 species of container-grown ornamentals evaluated in this experiment while producing larger or the same sized plants for all species."
The authors note that the best DWU treatment to use will depend on a number of factors. The ideal irrigation regimen should provide the most economical balance between crop returns and water management concerns; the cost of water, type of irrigation system, and programming capabilities of the system should all be considered when deciding which regimen to use. "For example, a nursery in close proximity to a large urban area in a state where water use and runoff are highly regulated may elect to irrigate at a slight deficit using either the 100-75 or 100-75-75 irrigation schedules to minimize water extraction and runoff. However, using deficit or DWU irrigation techniques requires monitoring of soluble salts, which, although not found in our study, may build up under these regimes depending on climatic factors."
American Society for Horticultural Science
Fernandez explained the significance of the experiment, remarking; "Applying irrigation based on plant demand or daily water use is a key concept in water conserving irrigation scheduling. However, scientific information regarding the water use of woody ornamentals is limited. Quantifying the DWU of a wide range of container-grown woody ornamentals will allow various species and cultivars to be categorized by water use so those with similar water uses can be grouped together, thus minimizing overwatering and excess runoff."
Ten different woody ornamental plants were grown in containers in 2006 and 2007, and five in 2008. Overhead irrigation was applied in four treatments: a control irrigation rate, irrigation scheduled to replace 100% DWU per application, irrigation alternating every other application with 100% replacement of DWU and 75% DWU, and irrigation scheduled on a three application cycle replacing 100% DWU followed by two applications of 75% DWU. Irrigation applications were separated by at least 24 hours during the experiment.
Daily water use was calculated by measuring the difference in volumetric moisture content 1 hour after irrigation and just prior to irrigation the following day. Species were classified as low, moderate, and high water users with six low, five moderate, and 13 high water users in the study.
According to the study, "scheduling irrigation according to plant DWU substantially reduced the amount of irrigation applied compared with a control for 23 of the 24 species of container-grown ornamentals evaluated in this experiment while producing larger or the same sized plants for all species."
The authors note that the best DWU treatment to use will depend on a number of factors. The ideal irrigation regimen should provide the most economical balance between crop returns and water management concerns; the cost of water, type of irrigation system, and programming capabilities of the system should all be considered when deciding which regimen to use. "For example, a nursery in close proximity to a large urban area in a state where water use and runoff are highly regulated may elect to irrigate at a slight deficit using either the 100-75 or 100-75-75 irrigation schedules to minimize water extraction and runoff. However, using deficit or DWU irrigation techniques requires monitoring of soluble salts, which, although not found in our study, may build up under these regimes depending on climatic factors."
American Society for Horticultural Science
Irrigation Current Events and Irrigation News RSSExperts: Failure to focus on farming will undermine global climate agreement and increase hunger
Alarmed by a substantial oversight in the global climate talks leading up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next month, more than 60 of the world's most prominent agricultural scientists and leaders underscored how the almost total absence of agriculture in the agreement could lead to widespread famine and food shortages in the years ahead.
Tiny bubbles clean oil from water
Small amounts of oil leave a fluorescent sheen on polluted water. Oil sheen is hard to remove, even when the water is aerated with ozone or filtered through sand.
MIT scientists pinpoint origin of dissolved arsenic in Bangladesh drinking water
Researchers in MIT's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering believe they have pinpointed a pathway by which arsenic may be contaminating the drinking water in Bangladesh, a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists, world health agencies and the Bangladeshi government for nearly 30 years.
Hybrid bluegrasses analyzed for use in transition zone
The transition zone can be one of the most challenging places to maintain high-quality turfgrass; changeable growing conditions in these regions often prove too hot for some grasses and too cold for others. Finding turfgrass that thrives in these challenging environments can be perplexing for turf management professionals and homeowners alike.
Great wines come from great soils
The world's greatest wines are the result of a threefold synergy among grape variety, human input, and something called the "terroir" -- a term often defined as the vineyard site, soil, and climate.
Water scarcity will create global security concerns
Water scarcity as a result of climate change will create far-reaching global security concerns, says Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri, chair of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
Yale engineers track bacteria's kayak paddle-like motion for first time
Yale engineers have for the first time observed and tracked E. coli bacteria moving in a liquid medium with a motion similar to that of a kayak paddle.
For peat's sake: Alternative growing media
Peat, or semi-decayed vegetation matter, has been used by commercial growers and amateur gardeners since the middle of the 20th century.
Satellites unlock secret to northern India's vanishing water
Using NASA satellite data, scientists have found that groundwater levels in northern India have been declining by as much as one foot per year over the past decade. Researchers concluded the loss is almost entirely due to human activity.
Bioethanol's impact on water supply 3 times higher than once thought
At a time when water supplies are scarce in many areas of the United States, scientists in Minnesota are reporting that production of bioethanol - often regarded as the clean-burning energy source of the future - may consume up to three times more water than previously thought.
More Irrigation Current Events and Irrigation News Articles
 |
Rain Bird GRDNER-KIT Landscape Dripline System Gardener's Drip Starter Kit by Rain Bird All-in-one drip system waters a 75 sq. ft. aea. Installs easily without digging and without requiring any plumbing skills. Features pre-installed emitters every 18 inches for clog-resistant flow. Allows for precise watering for healthy landscaping. Takes care of regulating pressure, filtering sediment, and preventing backflow. Conforms to your landscaped area and provides everything needed to apply emitter tubing in garden areas and spot watering to widely spaced plants. Kit contains multi-function faucet connection kit, (50') 1/2" emitter tubing, (50') 1/2" tubing, (25') 1/4" tubing, (2) 1/2" barbed couplings, (3) 1/2" barbed tees, (2) 1/2" barbed elbows, (1) 1/2" end closure, (10) galvanized stakes, (5) 1/4" barbed tees, (2) 1/4" barbed c |
 |
The Complete Irrigation Workbook: Design, Installation, Maintenance & Water Management by Larry Keesen; Cindy Code (Author) This workbook offers a comprehensive look at irrigation design, installation, maintenance and water management including practical hands-on techniques. Each chapter contains questions and answers which can be used to test your own knowledge or as in-house training tool for new and seasoned employees. Appendix includes detailed drawings of irrigation installations and tables and conversion data. |
 |
Deluxe Drip Irrigation Kit for Container Gardening by EnviroDrip The Deluxe Drip Irrigation Kit for Container Gardening represents the latest advances in micro irrigation technology. You will find all the parts you need to irrigate up to 30 individual containers in a single zone. You can easily add onto this kit if needed. This kit comes complete with everything you need to hook up to any standard water faucet or hose end. The tubing can be cut with simple scissors or utility knife. Kit Includes: 1 Hose Thread Backflow preventer 1 Inline Hose Filter 1 25 PSI 3/4" Hose Thread Pressure Regulator 1 Female Hose Thread Adapter with 1/4" Barb 30 1/4" Barbed Tee 10 1/4" Barbed Connector 1 50 feet Premium Grade 1/4" Vinyl Microtubing - Black 30 6" Microtube Stabilizer Stake 30 0.5 GPH Button Dripper 10 Goof Plug Advantages of this kit * Guaranteed... |
 |
Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates, 2nd edition by Robert Kourik (Author) Drip irrigation is the best way to help any plant flourish and survive tough times, especially short or long droughts. Pick the wrong “stuff ” and you easily can feel overwhelmed. Robert Kourik’s Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates clearly explains how to use less water yet increase the yields of vegetables and promote the growth and flowering of all plants—trees, shrubs, and container plants—in any climate, even where it rains irregularly.In the tradition of the original groundbreaking book, this fully revised edition incorporates new information essential for gardeners, including how to manage limited water supplies with precision and efficiency, without the clutter of hundreds of widgets and gizmos, and the knowledge is shared in Kourik’s inimitable,... |
 |
SinuPulse Elite Advanced Nasal Sinus Irrigation System by Health Solutions The SinuPulse Elite was developed and engineered in Switzerland to be the best, most advanced sinus and nasal irrigation system in the world complete with state-of-the-art electronics and Intellipulse technology. Featuring a patented SinuMist function it is the only irrigator capable of delivering both a gentle pulsating mist spray for soothing relief and a more thorough pulsating rinse to cleanse the sinuses and massage the nasal cilia to their normal, healthy state. With the pulsating atomizer spray and pulsating cleansing rinse it really is like having two units in one! The SinuPulse Elite is a soothing drug free device to relieve symptoms caused by sinus infections, sinusitis, allergies and the common cold including: post nasal drip, cough, congestion, sinus headaches, and irritated... |
 |
Rain Bird Landscape Dripline System Pop-Up Spray To Drip Irrigation Retrofit Conversion Kit #DC-6 by Rain Bird Kit contains everything to convert a pop-up spray head into a water-saving drip system that waters flower beds, shrubs, and more with pinpoint efficiency. Delivers water directly to the base of plants, reduces evaporation, and eliminates puddling. Plants get proper water amounts and water usage and cost are reduced. All-in-one design includes all parts for one drip irrigation unit. Serves up to 6 plants. Self flushing action minimizes clogging. Heavy-duty filter with 200-mesh (75 micron) screen, easily re moved for cleaning. Each kit contains pressure compensating 6-outlet manifold, 1800 retro sprayhead with filter and pressure regulator, 50 feet 1/4" distribution tubing - cut to length, 6 bug caps that allow flow and prevent insects from en |
 |
Simplified Irrigation Design, 2nd Edition (Landscape Architecture) by Pete Melby (Author) Drawing from the experience of several irrigation designers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers, this progressive, how-to reference takes you through all the steps and subjects you'll need to master irrigation design. Also includes metric values. |
 |
Rain Bird T22-50 1/4-Inch 50-Feet Landscape Dripline System Blank Tubing Roll by Rain Bird Use with spot watering emitters or to run water to emitter tubing. |
 |
Irrigation of Agricultural Crops, Second Edition (Agronomy) (Agronomy) by B. A. Stewart (Author), D. R. Nielsen (Editor) Irrigation is one of the most important human activities sustaining civilization. On average, irrigated crop yields are double those from unirrigated land. It has been estimated that to meet the needs of the 8 billion population by 2025, the irrigated area must expand more than 20% and irrigated crop yields must improve by 40% above current yields. The issues and the newest technologies are compiled in comprehensive chapters to facilitate efficient, sustainable, economical, and environmentally responsible irrigation. Contributors are scientists at the forefront of this important multifaceted area. Their diverse backgrounds in irrigation cover the broad spectrum of the science of irrigating crop plants. Subjects discussed include the latest information on monitoring technology, efficiency,... |
 |
Drip Irrigation for Dummies Kit by Orbit Setting up a watering system for your yard can be a somewhat daunting task. However, Orbit® has taken all of the guesswork out of this and put together a complete kit for getting you started on your very own irrigation system. There are no timers to install or electricity involved. Just layout a watering system according to the included instructions, and once everything is attached and in place, you simply connect a standard garden hose and turn on the water. The Drip Irrigation Kit for Dummies makes installation and maintenance a breeze, so that watering the garden, potted plants, shrubs and trees is no longer a chore, its fun. Not only is it enjoyable, but using a drip irrigation system also reduces water usage by up to 70% over traditional sprinklers by focusing water directly to the... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |