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SPRINKLERS IRRIGATION – MUCH MORE THAN JUST IRRIGATION

SPRINKLERS IRRIGATION – MUCH MORE THAN JUST IRRIGATION

From irrigation and plant propagation, to cooling and frost mitigation, you might be surprised to learn how sprinkler systems can be THE precise solution for your farm.

Sprinklers: the precise solution for your precise needs

Sprinklers are often perceived as a wasteful or non-precise irrigation method. Nothing can be far from the truth in the case of Netafim's mini and micro sprinklers. Especially when the system is designed in a smart and efficient way with relatively low precipitation rates and perfect water distribution that simulates rain. Today's technology has brought exciting new tools for farmers that want to get perfect water and nutrient distribution or use sprinklers for climate control, frost mitigation and plant propagation. Explore this exciting world of opportunities.

Orchards

Orchards

  • Under tree irrigation
  • Frost protection
  • Cooling
  • Humidification of orchards and leaves 
  • Dust cleaning

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What to consider when choosing your field crops sprinkler irrigation system

Sprinkler spacing
The distance between your field crops sprinklers is primarily determined based on  your planting pattern  and the agro-mechanical vehicles and tools used .Nevertheless there are other factors to consider. The closer the sprinklers are spaced, the more units and pipes you will require and the higher your system cost will be. On the other hand, wider spacing makes it harder to obtain uniform water distribution. Especially in windy areas

Sprinkler flow rate and overall system precipitation rate
It is important to choose a solution which can provide the daily crop needs and still avoid run-off that creates uneven water distribution and soil erosion. You should look for a precision irrigation system whose precipitation rate correlates to the soil’s infiltration capacity. Unlike center-pivots or rain-guns that have high hourly flow, precision sprinkler systems have low to medium precipitation rates, so they don’t generate run-off.

Droplet size and jet impact
Aggressive jets can injure young crops, expose seeds and create soil erosion or provoke soil crusting. on the other hand, very fine jets can produce small droplets of water which may shift with the wind or evaporate affecting uniform distribution of the water. Look for a sprinkler which can reach the required distance and maintain even distribution patterns, but will not damage your crops.

Orchard sprinkler irrigation systems and frost protection solutions

Full coverage orchard irrigation
In many plantations it is needed to irrigate the entire orchard surface.  The sprinklers used in that case have a low trajectory angle and strong jets, which are designed to hit the trunk, just below the foliage. These systems are robust, easy to maintain and resistant to harsh water conditions.

localized orchard irrigation
These solutions, based on micro sprinklers, are designed to irrigate the root zone of the trees. This type of irrigation leaves the space between crop rows dry and is known to utilize the water and nutrients in the most efficient way. It is especially recommended for tree crops with broad and shallow root systems and for areas with sandy soils or high stone content.

Frost protection 
Frost damage to your orchards can result in yield loss or even death of trees, so specifying the right sprinkler and spacing for crops is critical. Netafim offers a frost mitigation solution for orchards based on creating a water coating layer that insulates fruit tree crops with a protective coating of water providing frost mitigation with optimal efficiency. How to achieve this protection when activating huge areas simultaneously while maintaining low investment cost and complying with water availability constrains? This is where smart emitters and efficient design come in to place.

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What to consider when choosing an irrigation system for your protected crops

Sprinkler spacing
Where crop value is high and uniformity is key, aim for perfect water distribution within your greenhouse, net house or tunnel. Don’t settle for less then perfect

Sprinkler flow rate and overall system precipitation rate 
Once spacing has been determined, choose the flow rate which best correlates with the type of soil or substrate used, and matches the required irrigation intervals.

Droplet size 
Small droplets evaporate and increase humidity or create a cooling effect. Larger droplets have more energy and can be needed if dense foliage is covering the substrate, so choosing the sprinkler according to droplet size needs to consider the environmental effect needed and the crop type. 

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Need help finding the best solution for your farm?

Need help finding the best solution for your farm?

Get in touch, and we can talk about what your crop needs.