Growing Magazine - July, 2012 Technology and Experience Combine
for Irrigation Efficiency Though tree nuts, leafy greens, chiles
and grapes produced on arid lands in the Southwest all have
different irrigation needs, specialists and growers alike agree
on two points: Water is the most valuable resource, and
irrigation efficiency is essential. Irrigation system
performance, uniformity of water application and the response of
the crop to irrigation are all interrelated measurements of how
efficiently water is being delivered to the crop. Extension
advisers, researchers and other specialists, along with growers,
are focusing on ways to evaluate and improve irrigation
efficiency, contributing to both profit margins and water
conservation. Coupling growing experience and agronomic
knowledge with emerging technology is giving growers the tools
they need to help assure that they are applying their irrigation
in the most efficient way. Interns measure flows from a solid
set rotator sprinkler system in a young walnut