Smart Fertilizer: Irrigation Scheduling In Soilless Culture

Irrigation

Irrigation management is one of the most important practices in soilless culture production.

9/25/2015

The simple methods described can help you decide on the right irrigation rates.

Irrigation management is one of the most important practices in soilless culture production.

There are different methods you can use in order to determine the irrigation amount and frequency.

In this article we will present practical methods that require no special equipment.

Determining Irrigation Frequency Using ‘Observation’ Methods

In this method, you can find the right moment for irrigation by monitoring visually the moisture status of the growing media, the plant itself or both.

The observation method requires experience and you spending more time in the greenhouse.

However, it is very practical when you get to know your plants.

Observation method 1

You can use this method if your plants grow in pots, small containers or even plugs.

It will work best for growing media containing peat or coco peat

Turn the pot over. Observe the development of the root system and the moisture status of the growing media.

Irrigate when you notice that the growing media gets dried out, but not completely dry. Watch how the root system develops. White, healthy roots indicates good irrigation practice.

Observation method 2:

Observe the plant throughout the day. Learn when water deficiency symptoms show up.

Irrigate a few hours, or even a day before the water deficiency symptoms are visible (depending on the growing media you have).

Observation method 3:

This method will work best if you grow your plants in pots or growing bags.

After a good irrigation, pick up some pots and estimate their weight, by feeling. Pick up some pots with plants that need irrigation and learn to estimate when irrigation is needed by the weight of the pots/bags.

Estimating the required Irrigation water amount

This method allows you to determine the amount of water that should be applied with each irrigation event.

Irrigate in excess to saturate the growing media. Once drainage stops, weight the container.

After 24 hours weight the container again.

The difference between the first and second measurement is the daily water amount that was absorbed by the plant.

You can use this information to plan the irrigation regimen.

For example:

Weight of the container after irrigation and after leaching had stopped: 7.5 kg.

Weight of the container 24 hours later: 6.7 kg.

Water uptake = 7.5-6.7=0.8kg=800 ml.

Therefore, the daily water requirement for one container.

Assuming 20% excess irrigation for allowing leaching, the required daily water amount would be: 800+160=960 ml/day.