Winter 2021 - 43

IRRIGATION
some trees are getting more water than they should, others
not enough, and it's very inconsistent across the field and
across the season as a whole. Orchards that experience subpar
performance in distribution uniformity are unlikely to achieve
high irrigation efficiency, as the calculations just don't work.
There can also be instances of good distribution
uniformity and poor irrigation efficiency. For example, if
the distribution is even across the field, but there is far too
much water put on, that water will fall below the root zone
and the tree won't be able to pull it from the soil. For a single
application event, this may be no big deal. If overirrigation
becomes a habit, it will result in poor irrigation efficiency.
Ideally, growers have everything calibrated, maintained
and scheduled so that a field receives good distribution
uniformity and good irrigation efficiency. The water is
applied to the root zone, losses are minimized, and the trees
receive the proper amount at the proper time. It's no small
feat, but essential to the bottom line.
Reaching a DU/IE goal
In addition to scheduling, optimizing irrigation efficiency
comes down to the most fundamental components of system
design, installation, maintenance and evaluation. Careful
consideration of each of these can yield great benefits, but
aren't without their costs, which requires a balance that
works for growers and their teams.
There are several ways for growers to tackle this, especially
Evaluate system function
Irrigation systems experience wear from use, and
distribution uniformity decreases over time because of it.
Having routine professional system evaluations every two
to three years, along with regularly fixing any breakages,
flushing and cleaning hoses, and checking pressure and flow
rates, can assure that systems are functioning optimally.
in taking the concept of micro irrigation and putting it into
practice. Whether it be with microsprinkers, surface or
subsurface drip, having maximum control over the system
and timing and amount of applied water helps ensure
application uniformity.
With any system, the pros and cons need to be measured
against one another. Fields that use a microsprinker and
fanjet combination can take advantage of the larger wetting
zone, easier maintenance and higher application rates, but
would have to justify the higher cost, evaporative or wind
losses and contend with additional weed growth. Drip
irrigation, on the other hand, is also easily maintained and can
limit weed growth and be more financially economical, but
is susceptible to clogging and offers a much smaller wetting
zone. Then, there's subsurface drip, which runs the gamut
of pros and cons - from minimizing soil evaporation, weed
growth and being protected from above-ground damage,
to being susceptible to root intrusion and much tougher to
inspect, which is only amplified by perennial crops.
Tekleen filters will save you time and money that is spent
every day in the labor of cleaning and replacing irrigation
heads, drippers, sprinklers, screens, bags and sand media
tanks the hard way. They will save up to 90% of the rinse
water. Rinsing will last between 5 - 10 seconds and will use
5-20 gallons of water without interrupting the flow.
Ditch, Well,
or Lake
Water
* Drip
* Sprinklers
* Tape
2672 S. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034 USA
(800) 336-1942 (310) 839-2828 www.tekleen.com info@tekleen.com
NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM 43
Dealers Welcome!
http://www.tekleen.com http://www.NATIONALNUTGROWER.COM
Winter 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winter 2021
