SPECIALTY CROPS
tables. The sheer volume of materials that go into these ranches is substantial, not to mention the substrate materials itself, which come in several forms such as in long plastic bags, a long pot or open troughs with loose substrate. For the most part, California berries are grown in the open field, not under a hoop house.
IRRIGATING IN SUBSTRATE
When considering growing in substrate, a question that arises is: Can we just use the same irrigation system we have? In most cases, the answer is no. Traditional growing in soil involves irrigating a large area with a large volume of water typically a few times a week. The soil itself has a large water holding capacity so that plants are able to use water as needed over a long period of time. When growing in substrate, the plant is growing in a very small container. Although the substrate may have a good water holding capacity, there is only a very small amount of it. Irrigation in substrate typically involves irrigating 10 to 20 (or even more) times per day. Substrate irrigation provides the plant with the exact amount of water and nutrients that
Growing plants in substrate requires irrigating 10-20 times a day.
it needs right when it needs it. This is called pulse irrigation.
In a traditional field, if the well on the property breaks, there is probably a day or two to get it repaired before experiencing any issues with the plants since the soil has large water holding capacity. In a substrate ranch, the plant only has enough water in the substrate for maybe an hour. This poses a significant challenge related to water availability, as well as a requirement for redundant equipment in the irrigation system. Typically, the solution is to either install a reservoir or a large “tank farm” with holding capacity
The future of substrate growing is hitting the fresh berry market hot and heavy.
for the whole ranch for at least one day. In some cases, several redundancies are built to act as a safeguard in case of pump or equipment failure.
Automation is also something that is now not just a luxury — but a requirement. The need for constant injection of fertilizer and pH correction during each irrigation is very important as well as something to control the pulse irrigation schedule. Without automation, someone would have to attempt to open and close all the irrigation valves across the ranch in a matter of minutes every hour. Instead, investment must be made in fertilizer injection hardware, electric valves, pumps, etc. and a software platform that will allow for fertigation control and irrigation scheduling. These platforms are tied into weather data and in-field sensors that allow for better decision-making for the irrigation schedule. These sensors can also be used to completely automate the irrigations themselves or adjust scheduled irrigations based on real-time feedback from the field.
The future of agriculture is always evolving, and with external forces now pushing our traditional way of growing in a new direction, there is an exciting future ahead for blending agriculture and technology. As we work together with growers to develop best practices, and as our industry partners to bring new products and software into the agricultural space, it is an exciting time to watch this new trend evolve.
(Top) A fully automated valve manifold allows for flexibility and control. (Bottom) Complete fertigation and pH control allow for accurate nutrient management as well as backup and bypass options. (Right) Some substrate ranches install a tank farm with holding capacity for irrigating the whole ranch for at least one day.
22 Irrigation TODAY | Spring 2021
Cassandra Toves is responsible for agricultural irrigation automation design and sales for Irrigation Design and Construction.
irrigationtoday.org
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