In the quest to achieve sustainable agriculture and global food security, the connection between crops and water is paramount. Efficient crop irrigation is more than just a farming practice; it is a sophisticated science that ensures plants receive the precise amount of water they need at the very moment they need it. According to Sixolise Mcinga, senior analyst in sustainable agriculture at GreenCape, an NPO that drives the widespread adoption of green economy solutions, crop irrigation is the process of applying controlled amounts of water to plants or crops at the required intervals. She adds that this is essential for maintaining soil moisture levels that are conducive to crop growth, particularly in regions that receive insufficient rainfall.
IRRIGATION PLANNING
"There are several factors farmers must consider when measuring or determining the amount of water they need to give their crops, namely the type of crop, as they have varying water requirements; the growth stage; soil type; drainage; climate; and root depth. The root depth directly affects the volume of water that plants draw from the soil, making it a critical factor in effective irrigation planning," says Mcinga. She adds that proper irrigation planning is crucial to ensure crops receive adequate water and to avoid overirrigation.
Several approaches are used to achieve adequate water supply, including soil moisture measurement, irrigation scheduling, a water budget, canopy temperature measurement, evapotranspiration (ET), and the pan evaporation method.
"There are different types of irrigation methods, such as sprinkler irrigation, where water is sprayed into the air and falls like rain over the crops. This means the crops receive a uniform water application, and because it's an automated system, there is an even distribution of water," explains Mcinga.
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Denne historien er fra July 26, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
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Unlocking value through livestock exports
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An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
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Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
