Using only as much water as is needed in irrigation systems is the goal of research at the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre in Summerland, B.C.
Research scientist Denise Neilsen said anticipated water restrictions in places like the Okanagan Valley are driving the research.
“Water is the most important issue of all and people can’t seem to manage water well,” she said, noting many growers have systems that are more complex than needed.
The proposed system will conserve water and reduce nitrate leaching commonly seen in coarse-textured soil zones.
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The research looks at how much water plants require and how much is lost through the leaves and soil. An electronically controlled trickle system is used in combination with plastic mulch covers intended to suppress weeds and conserve moisture.
One monitor uses a porous ceramic plate attached to a pipe to measure evaporation, while a large buried pot shows water balance.
Weather data and leaf canopy size are also factored into estimates determining how much water to dispense.
The system, estimated at $5,000 to install in an average-sized operation, is being tested at four orchards.
Future research is dependent on funding but will continue to refine measurements and look at the effect of soil texture in irrigation systems.
