In the precision planning process of a drip irrigation system, one of the crucial steps is to determine the correct delivery rate and dripper spacing that will be required for optimal irrigation for your conditions.
To determine the required delivery rate and dripper spacing, we need to understand the way water is distributed in soil. To understand this, we need to ask: what affects water distribution in soil?
Agriculture is challenged to produce more with less - to feed the rapidly growing population with limited resources whilst protecting the environment for future generations. Efficient irrigation is not only about using water responsibly, but also about the vital task of ensuring food security and sustainability across the globe.
Niger, like much of the globe, is experiencing the effects of climate change but to an extreme. With its temperature rising 1.5 times faster than the global median and averaging 45 degrees celsius, farmers across Niger struggle to grow food in scorched, sandy soil, resulting in an unprecedented high rate of chronic malnutrition among young children.
In November 2021, the Netafim team and a group of Pecan farmers set off to the Lowveld. They visited several farms in Mpumalanga and Limpopo to learn about current soil management practices and how they can apply it in their orchards.
Journalist, Lindi Botha, joined the tour and wrote the following piece for the Netafim South Africa Knowledge Hub.
Adriaan de Lange has been appointed as Managing Director of Netafim South Africa, effective 24 November 2021. Adriaan takes over the reins from Etienne Erasmus as he enters retirement. Erasmus will stay on until the end of February 2022 to support a smooth and successful transition process.
Michael Esmeraldo, Netafim South Africa’s sales manager for the northern regions of the country, was elected as president of the South African Irrigation Institute (SABI). He has been serving as vice-president of the organisation since 2019 and before that served as chairman of the Mpumalanga branch. At 30, Michael is the youngest ever president of SABI.
With the right irrigation equipment, necessary knowledge, correct calculations and involving the right experts, the farmer can make an informed decision to ensure that the crop receives optimal irrigation while he or she makes extremely efficient use of the available water.
Conventionally, effective filtration area is discussed in a two-dimensional context. However, when it comes to disc filtration we should change to a three-dimensional way of thinking.
Whichever way efficiency is calculated, it cannot be maintained without proper and regular maintenance of the filter. Without it you will most likely encounter problems, and the filter will fail to protect the irrigation system all year.
Irrigation plays a vital role in sustainable wine grape production in South Africa. With dwindling water resources and an increase in competition for water, the need for continuous innovation is greater than ever.
A healthy root zone contributes to higher production. This means that the importance of efficient irrigation, one of the factors that contribute to the health of the root zone, cannot be underestimated.
We talk about precision citrus irrigation, growth in the South African citrus industry and Centralised Low Flow Drip Fertigation.
Macadamia tree irrigation approaches are still being refined as the industry learns more about tree water requirements and how climatic conditions affects it. Approaches range from highly intensive daily irrigation and fertigation to an extensive approach where irrigation events are adapted to the most important phenological growth stages, the climatic conditions and available resources.
Maintenance remains crucial, irrespective of the type of irrigation system in use in vineyards, orchards, greenhouses or fields. To ensure that an irrigation system keeps functioning effectively and has an extended lifetime, there are two factors that should never be neglected – the use of quality products, and system maintenance. In terms of product quality, the message is clear: You cannot afford to risk the financial viability of your project by not investing in the best possible irrigation equipment.
In this article, the focus is on the maintenance of open-field sprinkler systems.