water and irrigation. the water cycle water and irrigation soil infiltrationsoil infiltration...

Water and IrrigationWater and Irrigation

The water cycleThe water cycle

Water and irrigationWater and irrigation

• Soil infiltrationSoil infiltration– Clay = slowClay = slow

– Sand = fastSand = fast


• Soil water retentionSoil water retention– OM and clay = highOM and clay = high– Sand = lowSand = low

• Gravitational waterGravitational water = ground water = ground water (well water)(well water)


• Field capacityField capacity = maximum amount of water = maximum amount of water that a soil can hold against the force of gravitythat a soil can hold against the force of gravity

• Capillary waterCapillary water = available to the plant = available to the plant

• Wilting pointWilting point = point at which a plant is = point at which a plant is unable to take up additional water from the unable to take up additional water from the soilsoil

• Hygroscopic waterHygroscopic water = water not available to the = water not available to the plantplant


• Water and plant growthWater and plant growth– Leaves ≈ 65% waterLeaves ≈ 65% water– Roots ≈ 70% waterRoots ≈ 70% water– Fruits ≈ 85% waterFruits ≈ 85% water

• Melons ≈ 95% water !Melons ≈ 95% water !

• Water is a Water is a solventsolvent in plants that helps to in plants that helps to dissolve mineral nutrients and sugars dissolve mineral nutrients and sugars and to transport themand to transport them

Water and irrigationWater and irrigation• TurgidTurgid = plant parts filled with water = plant parts filled with water

• Wilted Wilted = lack of turgidity!= lack of turgidity!

Rule of ThumbRule of Thumb

1” of water is needed per week 1” of water is needed per week during the growing seasonduring the growing season


• Excess soil moistureExcess soil moisture– Lack of aeration, root cells can’t function well Lack of aeration, root cells can’t function well – Result is wilted foliage!Result is wilted foliage!– DiseasesDiseases

• Fungal and bacterialFungal and bacterial

• Damping-off (a fungal disease)Damping-off (a fungal disease)

Anaerobic respirationAnaerobic respirationAfter a flood alcohol builds-up = fermentation and death of roots!After a flood alcohol builds-up = fermentation and death of roots!

RespirationRespiration

CC66HH1212OO66 + 6 O + 6 O22 6 CO 6 CO22 + 6 H + 6 H22OO

AerobicAerobic = Oxygen is available, produces = Oxygen is available, produces high energyhigh energy

AnaerobicAnaerobic = Oxygen is not available, = Oxygen is not available, produces low energyproduces low energy

Anaerobic respirationAnaerobic respirationIn animals causes lactic acid to build-upIn animals causes lactic acid to build-up

Anaerobic respirationAnaerobic respirationIn plants causes alcohol to build-up = fermentationIn plants causes alcohol to build-up = fermentation

Containers - SIZE matters!Containers - SIZE matters!

Which will drain best ??Which will drain best ??

Assuming the same:Assuming the same:-volume-volume-potting mix -potting mix -drainage holes-drainage holes

Containers - SIZE matters!Containers - SIZE matters!

Water and irrigation - problemsWater and irrigation - problems

• Excess humidityExcess humidity– Fungal spores germinate on foliage and fruitFungal spores germinate on foliage and fruit

BotrytisBotrytis


• Excess humidityExcess humidity– GuttationGuttation

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• Excess rainfallExcess rainfall– Cracking of sugar-rich crops like cherries Cracking of sugar-rich crops like cherries

and tomatoesand tomatoes– You should not overhead irrigate these fruits You should not overhead irrigate these fruits

when they are close to harvest!when they are close to harvest!– ErosionErosion– Leaching of mineral nutrientsLeaching of mineral nutrients– Anaerobic respiration produces alcohol in Anaerobic respiration produces alcohol in

water-logged rootswater-logged roots


• Water deficiencyWater deficiency– First symptom is gray foliage (esp. ferns)First symptom is gray foliage (esp. ferns)– Leaves and stems wiltLeaves and stems wilt– Leaves curl and drop offLeaves curl and drop off– Fruits wither and dropFruits wither and drop

– Plants often experience temporary wilting in Plants often experience temporary wilting in summer (leaves transpire more than roots take summer (leaves transpire more than roots take up!). Esp. on vine crops with large leavesup!). Esp. on vine crops with large leaves

PrimrosePrimrose

Blossom end rot on tomatoBlossom end rot on tomatoCaused by water stress and insufficient calciumCaused by water stress and insufficient calcium

Blossom end rot on pepperBlossom end rot on pepperCaused by water stress and insufficient calciumCaused by water stress and insufficient calcium

Leaf scorch on mapleLeaf scorch on maple

Water retention Water retention crystalscrystals

Hold 200x their weightHold 200x their weightPotassium co-polymerPotassium co-polymer

Break down over 3-5 yearsBreak down over 3-5 years









Water QualityWater Quality• PollutantsPollutants

– Algae “blooms” from excess phosphorus in Algae “blooms” from excess phosphorus in surface watersurface water

– Depletes oxygen from the water at night and Depletes oxygen from the water at night and kills fish!kills fish!

Water QualityWater Quality• Hard waterHard water

– High concentration of dissolved minerals High concentration of dissolved minerals (often found in well water)(often found in well water)

– Water “softeners” replace calcium and iron Water “softeners” replace calcium and iron with sodium chloride (table salt) which is with sodium chloride (table salt) which is damaging to houseplants!damaging to houseplants!

Water QualityWater Quality• Even rainwater isn’t pure!Even rainwater isn’t pure!

– Contains nitrogen and sulfur from the Contains nitrogen and sulfur from the atmosphereatmosphere

– Is acidic!Is acidic!– Where do aerialWhere do aerial

pollutants come frompollutants come from

on the East Coast?on the East Coast?

Irrigation - subsurfaceIrrigation - subsurface

• Capillary matsCapillary mats


• WicksWicks


• Water wick and reservoirWater wick and reservoir

Irrigation - surfaceIrrigation - surface

• Soaker hoseSoaker hose

Irrigation - surfaceIrrigation - surface

Irrigation - surface Irrigation - surface GatorbagGatorbag

Irrigation - overheadIrrigation - overhead

• Sprinkler-soaker hose (can have significant Sprinkler-soaker hose (can have significant water loss)water loss)


• BreakersBreakers

Keeping moisture in!Keeping moisture in!


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Anti-dessicants - reduce transpirationAnti-dessicants - reduce transpirationQuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressorare needed to see this picture.

Keeping moisture in!Keeping moisture in!Burlap shading on evergreens reduces transpirationBurlap shading on evergreens reduces transpiration


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water and irrigation. the water cycle water and irrigation soil infiltrationsoil infiltration...

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