Growing Crops an Easier Way

Posted on: 26 January 2023

Irrigation is critical in modern-day agricultural farming because it helps conserve water, reduce weed and plant diseases, preserve soil nutrients, and enable crops to grow even in tough conditions. There are different types of irrigation systems. Before settling on one, you should consider factors such as the soil type on your farm, land topography, local weather patterns, types of crops grown, and water quality to know which one suits your needs. The following are common agricultural irrigation systems you can install on your farm and the benefits they offer.  

Sprinkler System 

A sprinkler system is an agricultural irrigation method involving pipes, hoses, and pressurized sprinkler heads to apply water to plants and the soil from a heightened position. The hoses filter water before moving to the pressurized sprinkler heads, which move in lateral, circular, or rectangular patterns to distribute water into the farm. Sprinkler systems are one of the most versatile irrigation methods, and you can use them in undulating, flat, or sloped farms because they spread water evenly from a high position.

Another advantage of sprinkler systems is that they come with growers, which program the sprinkler heads to turn on and off at different intervals to maximize filtration and manage the amount of water used. Other benefits include affordability, easy setup, and large area coverage.

Drip or Micro Irrigation

This water-efficient irrigation system uses a complex network of pipes, timers, soaker hoses, and sensors to directly apply water to the soil. The network of pipes has small holes or emitters placed above or below the soil surface to slowly drip water for longer periods. These irrigation systems are efficient in areas with high winds, and high aridity since water losses due to evaporation can be very high.

They are also efficient in water management when growing high-value crops such as vegetables, orchids, and small fruits, which require a constant water supply for growth and survival. Other benefits of this type of irrigation method are that they're easy to modify, allow better management of fungal growth, prevent soil erosion and nutrient runoff, and ensure efficient water penetration into the roots. 

Center-Pivot Irrigation

Center pivot irrigation system involves a piece of self-propelled equipment that uses a water pipe with rotating outlets around a central pivot. It is suitable in flat lands as it enables even water distribution and quickly covers a large area of land. Central pivots work like sprinkler systems but are larger and are supported by strong aluminum or steel towers. They also operate at a lower pressure making them good for energy-saving. 

Take Away

Are you looking for a suitable irrigation system for your farm? Contact a local agricultural equipment supplier, such as Waterford Irrigation Supply Inc, for more information.