Ever struggle to explain the differences between strip, drip and full coverage irrigation? You're not alone. Most people understand the impact it can have on crop yield and health but most don’t know why and how.
While younger plants can do very well with drip irrigation (slow-release droplets released directly to the roots) and strip irrigation (spinner sprinklers covering a wider area), mature plants with their more extensive root systems can fail to get what they need from these two methods. Full cover irrigation, on the other hand, is designed and engineered to deliver relatively small amounts of water over a large radius of throw. This low application rate at greater distances is designed to uniformly match the soil’s infiltration rate, which sets up the perfect soil environment for your crop, inhibiting disease and increasing yield. Let’s break it down.
Managing the balancing act between water levels, healthy soil, satisfied roots, nutrient uptake and plant growth is a fine art. Many plants are at risk of experiencing cumulative stressors if their wide, deep or shallow root zones are not effectively catered to. Preventing this from happening is where full coverage irrigation shines.
Dispersed Watering: The low-volume, high-radius throw delivers water to the edge of the root system in exact amounts.
Boosted Nutrient Update: Even and metered water delivery facilitates healthy soil, boosting nutrient content accessible for the roots.
Water Saving: No need to increase the irrigation rate in hot conditions, thereby preventing waterlogging and reduced oxygen levels in the soil.
Fewer Sprinklers - The larger throw radius covers more ground meaning fewer sprinklers per hectare, saving you resources on installation, maintenance and repair.
Designed and engineered to deliver water with maximum uniformity over a large throw radius, the R10T delivers a low application rate mapped to the infiltration rate of your soil and the needs of your plants. When combined with proper spacing and a good hydraulic design, the results are outstanding.
Reduces Stress During Harvest
The creation of moisture reserves in the soil serves as a hydration station when regular watering needs to be interrupted during harvest.
Preserves Soil Infiltration
Heavier watering to combat heat can create soil compaction, salinity and low organic matter, which leads to runoff and inhibits water infiltration. Full coverage irrigation prevents heavier watering from being required, even on the hottest days.
Preserves Nutrient Content & Prevents Disease
As water infiltration is preserved, soil sealing and low oxygen conditions are avoided, preserving nutrients and preventing disease.
Eliminates Soil Cracking
With consistent and even watering, soil cracking that wreaks havoc on root systems is eliminated.
Suppresses Dust
Using the R10T for dust suppression keeps your plants clear of airborne contaminants that result in blockages, which affect plant health and inhibit water uptake.
Highly valuable for mature trees or plants with shallow or large root systems, full coverage irrigation combines slow release water application over a larger area with the ability to apply certain fertilisers, fumigants, insecticides and fungicides.
Great for rows and terraced crops, strip irrigation offers precise water application, which can be highly beneficial in water-sensitive areas or where soil infiltration rates are particularly low.
Is full coverage irrigation what you need to keep nutrients in the active root zone of your plants for the healthiest crops you’ve ever had? Talk to the team at Nelson Australia about the power of full coverage irrigation today, giving your crops the red carpet treatment while saving you money on installation, maintenance and repair.