Innovative South African technology using ultrasonic sound to clean drip irrigation pipes has been extensively evaluated by the Agricultural Research Council – Institute for Agricultural Engineering (ARC-IAE) in 2003, 2012 and recently. The results of the latest tests are the most promising yet. The technology was developed by local farmer, Leon Lingnau. A long-time user […]
Many of South African rivers from which water is drawn for agricultural irrigation purposes are carrying extraordinarily high pathogenic loads. Produce irrigated using this water are often minimally processed fresh fruit and vegetables or products that are eaten raw. The risks of using this water to produce edible crops have been weighed against the backlog […]
The guidelines for weed control in wheat apply to barley. It is essential to identify weeds correctly, as different chemicals are used to control broadleaf and grass weeds. The only herbicides that are suitable for the control of the latter in barley are Hoelon, Ravenger and Grasp. Follow the recommendations on the label. If the […]
The root systemIrrigating the soil too far below the crop’s root system is pointless. Applying more water than needed could leach nutrients such as nitrate to beyond the reach of the roots. Added to this is the expense of extra pumping. The root systems of carrots, for example, go down beyond a depth of 2m. […]
In January this year, producers in the Lower Olifants River had access to only about half their water quota. What happened? A break occurred in the irrigation canal on 7 January. The canal runs at full capacity at this time of year, with a freeboard (the vertical distance between the water surface and the crest […]
The Virtual Irrigation Academy (VIA) is a website where farmers can learn how to improve crop yields through better management of irrigation water, soil nutrients and salinity levels. The Virtual Irrigation Academy (VIA) is a website where farmers can learn how to improve crop yields through better management of irrigation water, soil nutrients and salinity […]
To provide an optimal environment for crop growth, a farmer must irrigate correctly. This will ensure that soil moisture levels are neither too high nor too low. So says Dirk Mercker, CEO of DFM Technologies, which manufactures continuous logging soil moisture probes. “You have to use water more efficiently to increase productivity from each drop […]
When water supplies are adequate, irrigation can increase crop yield dramatically. Different irrigation systems are suited to different soils, climates, crops and resources. There are three main types of irrigation systems: surface, overhead and drip (see Table 1). Table 1 ASPECT SURFACE IRRIGATION OVERHEAD IRRIGATION DRIP IRRIGATION Irrigation WUE 55% 75% 90% Water quality needed […]
For many farmers around the world, high demand, low profitability and dwindling access to natural resources make the environment in which they have to operate tougher by the year. In order to provide enough affordable food for the world’s fast-growing population, and at a time when increased climate volatility is affecting water availability, farmers have […]
A farm’s irrigation system affects many factors that in turn determine profitability. The efficacy and efficiency of labour, electricity, water and fertiliser are all influenced by the type of irrigation system and the way it is managed. With this in mind, Dawid de Kock, a macadamia farmer in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, has implemented a low-flow drip […]
