Irrigation before planting is only necessary when soil preparation is difficult due to a lack of moisture, making it hard to plant seedlings. Typically, this irrigation should moisten the soil layer up to 20 cm deep.
However, if the soil is dry below 20 cm, it is necessary to moisten the soil to a greater depth: 30, 40, or even 50 cm, depending on the soil characteristics and the type of seedlings. Proper water dosing is crucial in irrigation practice.
There are two primary elements in water dosing: the irrigation dose and the timing of the start of irrigation.
Irrigation Timing
The timing of irrigation refers to the precise moment when the irrigation dose is applied, which is crucial for successful and rational irrigation. If the timing is determined “by eye,” the irrigation may be inefficient or even harmful.
Irrigation Dose
The irrigation dose is the amount of water added per irrigation session (m3/ha or in mm). The dose should moisten the soil to the field capacity for water, meaning it depends on the type of soil. Determining the irrigation dose requires knowledge of the soil moisture before irrigation and the soil’s water properties. The difference between the field capacity and the current water content in the soil represents the irrigation dose.
Irrigation for Cauliflower
To grow cauliflower, irrigation should maintain soil moisture at 70 – 80% of the field capacity at a depth of 30 cm, where most of the roots are located. Even a short dry period can cause the early formation of small heads.
To achieve the ideal timing for irrigation and determine the irrigation dose, ensuring efficient and rational water use, it is necessary to use soil moisture meters.
Furrow Irrigation
The furrow irrigation system consists of a supply channel, distribution channels, distribution furrows, furrows, and portable systems. Distribution furrows can be replaced with plastic, rubber, or metal pipes that transfer water from the distribution channel to the furrows.
The system can be improved by using portable pipelines. This method can replace the supply and distribution channels, as well as the distribution furrows, with pipes. The pipes are made of lightweight material for easy transportation. Their diameter is usually 15 cm. Pipes that replace distribution channels or furrows have openings whose spacing can be adjusted to allow water to flow into furrows at different intervals.
For vegetable cultivation, the furrow spacing is 50-100 cm.
This method of irrigation is best suited for relatively flat terrain with a uniform slope, ideally 2 – 4%.
The depth of the furrows is 15 – 25 cm. The irrigation dose depends on the soil characteristics, the cultivated crop, and the current soil moisture. This method of irrigation does not disturb the soil structure and reduces the conditions for crust formation, while also consuming less water, which is why it remains in use today.
Sprinkler Irrigation
In this method, water is distributed over the soil surface in the form of natural rain.
Advantages of Sprinkler Irrigation:
- Suitable for various topographical conditions
- Minimal or unnecessary preparatory work on the land
- Does not occupy arable land
- Does not reduce the use of mechanization
- Enables economical use of available water due to accurate dosing
- The soil is less exposed to deterioration of physical properties
- Allows irrigation of newly sown fields and young plants
- Enables the application of fertigation (fertilization with irrigation)
In sprinkler irrigation, the system captures water from a source, then pressurizes it through pipes, and finally distributes it over the irrigated area via sprinklers in the form of natural rain.
Types of Sprinkler Systems:
- Portable
- Semi-permanent
- Permanent
In a portable system, all components are movable, and the pipes connect with quick couplings. The semi-permanent system has a fixed water intake device and main pipeline, while the sprinkler arms and sprinklers are portable. The main pipeline is often buried, with hydrants on the surface to which the sprinkler arms connect. The permanent system has all components fixed, and the sprinklers connect to a pipe network usually installed underground.
Each sprinkler irrigation system consists of a water intake, a network of pipes, sprinklers, and fittings. The water intake can be gravitational or use a pump unit. In a pump unit water intake, water is drawn from the source and pressurized to the required level through the pipe network to the sprinklers. The pump unit consists of a drive motor and a pump, with centrifugal pumps being the most commonly used. It is necessary to match the power of the drive motor to the pump’s requirements.
The pipe network conducts water from the source to the sprinklers. This network consists of an intake pipe, main pipeline, and sprinkler arms. The sprinkler arms have outlets spaced at intervals for connecting sprinklers.
Sprinklers play a crucial role in the irrigation system. They spray (distribute) water over the soil surface in the form of droplets. Given their important function, they must work correctly and efficiently. Sprinklers can vary by water pressure, throw distance, water discharge volume, irrigation area, irrigation intensity, type and number of nozzles, drive method, and irrigation style.
For sprinkler irrigation, it is essential to choose the right sprinklers. For vegetable crops, gentle irrigation is best, so low-intensity, short-range sprinklers are ideal.
One of the most critical characteristics of sprinklers is uniformity of irrigation. Wind can disrupt ideal irrigation during operation. Typically, most water falls near the sprinkler, with less water toward the edges of the range. Therefore, to ensure uniform irrigation across the entire area, sprinklers should be appropriately distributed over the irrigated area.
Besides selecting sprinklers, it is crucial to set up the system layout correctly. The placement of the water intake, main pipeline, and sprinkler arms can vary. The choice should consider the water source, topographical conditions, and the size and shape of the plots. Therefore, for each plot, it is essential to consider natural, technical, technological, and economic conditions and then decide on the location of individual system components.
In sprinkler irrigation, it is vital to know the duration of irrigation from one sprinkler position. If the irrigation lasts longer than necessary, it will add too much water to the soil (crop), which can lead to several adverse effects: deterioration of soil physical properties, nutrient leaching, erosion, and salinization.
If irrigation is shorter than needed, the soil will not saturate with water to the required depth at field capacity.
The irrigation dose will depend on the soil’s characteristics, the crop, and the current soil moisture.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation allows for irrigation at any time of day, as it does not cause shock from applying cold water to hot plant parts.
Avoiding wetting the leaves also avoids creating favorable conditions for fungal diseases.
The system operates at low pressure, minimizing the disruption of the soil’s crumbly structure, which is beneficial for cucumber growth. Due to the lower working pressure (0.3 – 1.5 bar), energy consumption is also lower.
Localized water supply reduces the irrigated area, minimizing water losses through evaporation or leaching (water conservation).
Another advantage of drip irrigation is the possibility of fertigation, i.e., the application of liquid fertilizers simultaneously with irrigation.
One of the most significant problems with drip irrigation is clogging of the emitters, whether mechanical or chemical. Clogging is directly related to the quality of the irrigation water and its physical, chemical, and microbiological factors. Filters can prevent mechanical clogging of emitters. Chemical clogging occurs due to the formation of insoluble salts at the emitter’s opening or inside the emitter.
The drip irrigation system consists of the drive unit with the system head, a filtration unit, the main pipeline, lateral or distribution pipes, and emitters. The system is characterized by emitters, which reduce the working pressure from the pipes and release water as droplets on or into the soil.
This method of irrigation has two systems: surface and subsurface irrigation. In surface irrigation, the pipes and emitters are placed above ground or on the soil surface, while in subsurface irrigation, they are buried in the soil.
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Irrigation Before Planting
Irrigation before planting is necessary only when soil preparation is difficult due to a lack of moisture, making it hard to plant seedlings. Typically, this irrigation should moisten the soil layer up to 20 cm deep.
However, if the soil is dry below 20 cm, it is necessary to moisten the soil to a greater depth: 30, 40, or even 50 cm, depending on the soil characteristics and the type of seedlings. Proper water dosing is crucial in irrigation practice.
There are two primary elements in water dosing: the irrigation dose and the timing of the start of irrigation.
Irrigation Timing
The timing of irrigation refers to the precise moment when the irrigation dose is applied, which is crucial for successful and rational irrigation. If the timing is determined “by eye,” the irrigation may be inefficient or even harmful.
Irrigation Dose
The irrigation dose is the amount of water added per irrigation session (m³/ha or in mm). The dose should moisten the soil to the field capacity for water, meaning it depends on the type of soil. Determining the irrigation dose requires knowledge of the soil moisture before irrigation and the soil’s water properties. The difference between the field capacity and the current water content in the soil represents the irrigation dose.
Irrigation for Cauliflower
To grow cauliflower, irrigation should maintain soil moisture at 70 – 80% of the field capacity at a depth of 30 cm, where most of the roots are located. Even a short dry period can cause the early formation of small heads.
To achieve the ideal timing for irrigation and determine the irrigation dose, ensuring efficient and rational water use, it is necessary to use soil moisture meters.
Furrow Irrigation
The furrow irrigation system consists of a supply channel, distribution channels, distribution furrows, furrows, and portable systems. Distribution furrows can be replaced with plastic, rubber, or metal pipes that transfer water from the distribution channel to the furrows.
The system can be improved by using portable pipelines. This method can replace the supply and distribution channels, as well as the distribution furrows, with pipes. The pipes are made of lightweight material for easy transportation. Their diameter is usually 15 cm. Pipes that replace distribution channels or furrows have openings whose spacing can be adjusted to allow water to flow into furrows at different intervals.
For vegetable cultivation, the furrow spacing is 50-100 cm.
This method of irrigation is best suited for relatively flat terrain with a uniform slope, ideally 2 – 4%.
The depth of the furrows is 15 – 25 cm. The irrigation dose depends on the soil characteristics, the cultivated crop, and the current soil moisture. This method of irrigation does not disturb the soil structure and reduces the conditions for crust formation, while also consuming less water, which is why it remains in use today.
Sprinkler Irrigation
In this method, water is distributed over the soil surface in the form of natural rain.
Advantages of Sprinkler Irrigation:
- Suitable for various topographical conditions
- Minimal or unnecessary preparatory work on the land
- Does not occupy arable land
- Does not reduce the use of mechanization
- Enables economical use of available water due to accurate dosing
- The soil is less exposed to deterioration of physical properties
- Allows irrigation of newly sown fields and young plants
- Enables the application of fertigation (fertilization with irrigation)
In sprinkler irrigation, the system captures water from a source, then pressurizes it through pipes, and finally distributes it over the irrigated area via sprinklers in the form of natural rain.
Types of Sprinkler Systems:
- Portable
- Semi-permanent
- Permanent
In a portable system, all components are movable, and the pipes connect with quick couplings. The semi-permanent system has a fixed water intake device and main pipeline, while the sprinkler arms and sprinklers are portable. The main pipeline is often buried, with hydrants on the surface to which the sprinkler arms connect. The permanent system has all components fixed, and the sprinklers connect to a pipe network usually installed underground.
Each sprinkler irrigation system consists of a water intake, a network of pipes, sprinklers, and fittings. The water intake can be gravitational or use a pump unit. In a pump unit water intake, water is drawn from the source and pressurized to the required level through the pipe network to the sprinklers. The pump unit consists of a drive motor and a pump, with centrifugal pumps being the most commonly used. It is necessary to match the power of the drive motor to the pump’s requirements.
The pipe network conducts water from the source to the sprinklers. This network consists of an intake pipe, main pipeline, and sprinkler arms. The sprinkler arms have outlets spaced at intervals for connecting sprinklers.
Sprinklers play a crucial role in the irrigation system. They spray (distribute) water over the soil surface in the form of droplets. Given their important function, they must work correctly and efficiently. Sprinklers can vary by water pressure, throw distance, water discharge volume, irrigation area, irrigation intensity, type and number of nozzles, drive method, and irrigation style.
For sprinkler irrigation, it is essential to choose the right sprinklers. For vegetable crops, gentle irrigation is best, so low-intensity, short-range sprinklers are ideal.
One of the most critical characteristics of sprinklers is the uniformity of irrigation. Wind can disrupt ideal irrigation during operation. Typically, most water falls near the sprinkler, with less water toward the edges of the range. Therefore, to ensure uniform irrigation across the entire area, sprinklers should be appropriately distributed over the irrigated area.
Besides selecting sprinklers, it is crucial to set up the system layout correctly. The placement of the water intake, main pipeline, and sprinkler arms can vary. The choice should consider the water source, topographical conditions, and the size and shape of the plots. Therefore, for each plot, it is essential to consider natural, technical, technological, and economic conditions and then decide on the location of individual system components.
In sprinkler irrigation, it is vital to know the duration of irrigation from one sprinkler position. If the irrigation lasts longer than necessary, it will add too much water to the soil (crop), which can lead to several adverse effects: deterioration of soil physical properties, nutrient leaching, erosion, and salinization.
If irrigation is shorter than needed, the soil will not saturate with water to the required depth at field capacity.
The irrigation dose will depend on the soil’s characteristics, the crop, and the current soil moisture.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation allows for irrigation at any time of day, as it does not cause shock from applying cold water to hot plant parts.
Avoiding wetting the leaves also prevents the creation of favorable conditions for fungal diseases.
The system operates at low pressure, minimizing the disruption of the soil’s crumbly structure, which is beneficial for plant growth. Due to the lower working pressure (0.3 – 1.5 bar), energy consumption is also lower.
Localized water supply reduces the irrigated area, minimizing water losses through evaporation or leaching (water conservation).
Another advantage of drip irrigation is the possibility of fertigation, i.e., the application of liquid fertilizers simultaneously with irrigation.
One of the most significant problems with drip irrigation is clogging of the emitters, whether mechanical or chemical. Clogging is directly related to the quality of the irrigation water and its physical, chemical, and microbiological factors. Filters can prevent mechanical clogging of emitters. Chemical clogging occurs due to the formation of insoluble salts at the emitter’s opening or inside the emitter.
The drip irrigation system consists of the drive unit with the system head, a filtration unit, the main pipeline, lateral or distribution pipes, and emitters. The system is characterized by emitters, which reduce the working pressure from the pipes and release water as droplets on or into the soil.
This method of irrigation has two systems: surface and subsurface irrigation. In surface irrigation, the pipes and emitters are placed above ground or on the soil surface, while in subsurface irrigation, they are buried in the soil.
