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The use of tensiometers to control the irrigation of nursery stock in containers.
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2000-07-01
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Keogh, E., Maher, M.J., Hunter, A., Campion, J., The use of tensiometers to control the irrigation of nursery stock in containers, End of Porject Reports, Teagasc, 2000.
Abstract
The use of digital tensiometers to control the irrigation of nursery stock in
containers was studied over a three year period. Over this time the tensiometers
performed satisfactorily and successfully automated the irrigation of the plants.
The results indicate the feasibility of using them to control nursery stock irrigation
under Irish conditions. An irrigation tension of 50 hPa to trigger an irrigation period resulted in larger
plants than those grown under drier regimes with irrigation tensions of 100 and
200 hPa. Measurements of stomatal resistance indicated that the plants in the
drier regimes were growing under greater moisture stress.
The drier regimes reduced the number of irrigations and also the overall usage of
water. They reduced plant size but did not impair plant appearance. It may be
possible to use this approach in the future to control plant growth.
There was no difference in performance between plants gown with ebb and flood
irrigation and those irrigated via overhead spraylines. The ebb and flood system
gave a considerable reduction in water use.