Irrigation Systems

Question 1

Most common cultural problem?

Answer 1

Incorrect watering

Question 2

Consequence of incorrect watering?

Answer 2

Reduced crop quality; crop loss

Question 3

Hand watering problems?

Answer 3

for large crop… logistics; plants wilting before completed

cost of labor

cannot water as uniformly as automated systems

• HW efficiency loses every time to automated systems! *

Question 4

Advantages of automated watering systems?

Answer 4

• more uniform than HW
• grower can scout for problems instead of watering
• labor savings (35 - 60%)
• better plant growth
• reduced crop time
• fewer disease problems

Question 5

Questions to consider when choosing watering system?

Answer 5

does the system:

• deliver water to target?
• produce lots of runoff?
• promote pet problems?
• dampen foliage?
• have high or low volume?
• have expensive installation/maintenance costs?

Question 6

Advantages of tube irrigation?

Answer 6

• accurate water delivery
• foliage stays dry
• relatively inexpensive

Question 7

Disadvantages of tube irrigation?

Answer 7

• inflexible container size/spacing
• some maintenance involved
• 4-10” pots; no flats

Question 8

Components of tube irrigation system?

Answer 8

• water main
• header pipe along bench center
• micro-tubes with emitter
• solenoid valve
• on/off ball valve
• filtration

Question 9

Characteristics of microtubes

Answer 9

• narrow diameter, small pots @ high density

- wide diameter, larger pots

Question 10

Types of microtubes

Answer 10

• capillary
• turbulent-flow
• pressure compensating

Question 11

Describe capillary microtubes

Answer 11

Tube diameter / length meter water flow.

Tube length / system pressure need to be uniform to work.

Need flat surface!

Question 12

Describe turbulent-flow microtubes

Answer 12

Meters flow more accurately.

Less issues with pressure variation

Question 13

Describe pressure-compensating microtubes

Answer 13

Emitter doesn’t open until 5-10 psi… any length, less pressure sensitive