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Optimize Your Irrigation in 5 Easy Steps08-25-15 | News

Optimize Your Irrigation in 5 Easy Steps
Drip Irrigation Best Practices

Do's and Don'ts of Drip Irrigation
1. DON'T: Don't apply water too fast DO: Match the irrigation system's application rate with the soil's ability to accept the water. Micro-irrigation systems have low precipitation rates and are a good way to avoid runoff.
2. DON'T: Don't apply water for too long. DO: Match the irrigation event duration with the soil's ability to hold the amount of water applied. Automate valve operation if labor availability or reliability is an issue.
3. DON'T: Don't settle for poor irrigation system performance. DO: Ensure that irrigation application uniformity is at least 85 percent. If a retrofit or upgrade is necessary, the investment will likely be offset by savings/increased income.
4. DON'T: Don't schedule irrigations according to an arbitrary calendar interval.

To help promote drip irrigation best practices, here's a small list of ways you can optimize your irrigation system.

Don't make the mistake of wasting irrigation water. Do your homework and learn about plant water requirement, the maximum precipitation rates of soils, soil water holding capacities, irrigation system application rates and irrigation system uniformities. Put it all together in an irrigation schedule that will maximize profitability and optimize resource use. Don't go it alone. Consult with a specialist to help with this sometimes complicated topic.