It is hardly worth saying that water is important for your crops, this should be self-evident for any professional grower. This necessary component of plant growth, however, is often supplied to crops in a less than regulated manner. Reliable irrigation is one of the most important factors in a successful harvest.
Installing an automatic irrigation system for your commercial growing operation allows your crops to receive adequate and reliable watering while saving you time and effort. Many commercial growers, as they are scaling up, make the mistake of thinking that hand-watering their plants is a money saver, but that is generously a miscalculation. Hand-watering on a commercial scale is not cost-effective. It is imprecise as well as time consuming.
All commercial growers will derive benefits from converting to an automated irrigation system. Generally speaking, the larger the operation, the more benefit to the operator, though any sized commercial growing operation will see significant benefits to making the switch. The level of irrigation control required will dictate how much and what type of automated system will be required.
What are Automated Irrigation Systems?
Automated irrigation systems are generically, any system or setup that delivers water to your crops without doing so manually. If it runs on a timer or a program, then it qualifies as an automatic irrigation system. One can argue whether or not an irrigation system is automated if you still have to flip a switch, or open a valve for the system to run, but an automatic irrigation system is one that emphatically does not require hand-watering to be effective.
Most automated irrigation systems are powered by some type of pump, which sends water from a reservoir to some sort of delivery mechanism by way of tubes, emitters, sprinkler heads, mist heads, troughs, or any other means by which crops get irrigated. Some commercial automated systems are set up by zones, so that some areas run at one time, and other areas at another time. This is often done based on the capacity of the reservoir or water source.
Some automated irrigation systems just deliver water to plants. Many, however, are tied into stock tank systems where any number of nutrients, amendments. Or other water-soluble add-ins can be added to the irrigation water so that plants can get their water and nutrition in the same step.
More advanced commercial irrigation systems are run by computer programs, but there are many large-scale automated systems that run on simply a timer. There is a wide range in complexity and sophistication in available automatic watering systems. Generally speaking, the better the system that you can afford, the more time, and resources you will save in the long run.
Benefits of Commercial Automatic Irrigation Systems
Many of the benefits derived from the addition of an automatic irrigation system for your commercial growing operation may seem self-evident, especially for those growing plants on a larger scale. There are however, many that not all growers may have considered. Labor savings is an obvious benefit as the need for manual watering is reduced considerably, if not eliminated altogether. This could mean that not as many employees are needed, or that the employees will be freed up to focus on other important tasks that can help to build the business and increase sales. Human error will also be reduced because of this. Plants getting missed or inadequately watered will be far less likely with an automatic irrigation system.
Some operating costs, besides labor, can also be reduced when an automatic irrigation system is put into use. A well-designed automatic irrigation system will be in operation for many years. This reduces costs associated with replacement parts needed for inferior irrigation systems. For those growers who amortize their expenses, these longer periods can result in lower annualized capital costs.
Because of the efficiency of automatic irrigation systems, there is very little wasted water and nutrients. Automated systems optimize water usage and ensure plants receive adequate water without overwatering. Energy costs may go down as well. Automated irrigation systems can be integrated with other technologies such as timers and sensors to enhance energy efficiency, thereby reducing operating costs.
Related cost savings may be realized with reduced costs to deal with wastewater reclamation, reservoir tank management, drain monitoring, and labor related to the compliance or auditing for these tasks. Automated irrigation systems are also easier to scale, which leads to further cost savings.
Commercial growers who implement automatic irrigation systems will see a higher degree of consistency than those who rely on hand watering alone. Automated systems provide consistent watering schedules. This ensures that plants receive the right amount of water at the right times which is crucial to achieve healthy growth. This consistency helps prevent stress on the plants which can occur with the fluctuations in water availability such as with drought-like conditions from underwatering to root rot resulting from overwatering.
Many commercial automated systems can deliver precise amounts of water and sometimes nutrients, tailored to the specific needs of different plant species or different growth stages. By providing the right amount of water based on each crop’s specific needs at each growth stage, automatic irrigation systems help to avoid the negative effects of overwatering and underwatering. Those systems that are designed to integrate nutrient delivery, provide a consistent supply, ensuring that plants have access to essential elements needed for growth and development.
Many commercial growers like how customizable automatic irrigation systems can be. Those with the capability, can be programmed to adjust water delivery based on a wide range of environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, ensuring that plants are cared for under variable conditions. Systems can be obtained that have advanced data monitoring and analytics, allowing growers to monitor soil moisture levels, track plant health, and make better decisions, armed with these data points. Using these customizable and advanced irrigation systems means that plants can receive water when they most need it.
A major benefit, and arguably the most important, to using automatic irrigation is improved plant health and reduced plant stress. Automated irrigation systems play a crucial role in reducing plant stress. By keeping foliage dry and providing water directly to the root zone, automatic irrigation systems can help to manage humidity levels within the grow room, avoiding fungal diseases and other related stress responses. Healthy watering practices reduce the likelihood of root rot and other water-related diseases. By maintaining balanced moisture levels, plants are less susceptible to pathogens that thrive in overly wet conditions.
Certain automatic irrigation systems, such as aeroponic, and ebb and flow systems, provide periods of dryness or aeration for the roots. This encourages healthy root growth and minimizes stress associated with overly saturated conditions. Additionally, automatic irrigation systems minimize transplant shock. Because they can be used to create optimal moisture levels for seedlings and clones, adjusting to their new environment is easier for them, reducing the risk of transplant shock.
Though not a key consideration for all growers, commercial or otherwise, nonetheless an important one, is sustainability. By optimizing water usage and reducing waste, automated irrigation contributes to more sustainable farming practices. Growing facilities that opt to automate their irrigation practices will see as a result, a more sustainable grow.
Types of Automatic Irrigation Systems
There are numerous types of automatic irrigation systems that the commercial grower can employ for effective propagation. Some are more conducive for specific situations than others, but there are generally several options for any grow room, greenhouse, or operation of any size. Among the more commonly used automatic irrigation systems are: drip irrigation, ebb and flow systems, aeroponic setups, nutrient film technique (NFT), sprinkler systems, soil moisture sensors/controllers, capillary matting, and wicking systems.
- Drip irrigation systems are widely used. These systems deliver water directly to plants’ root zones by way of a network of tubing and emitters. Drip systems minimize water waste and reduce the risk of disease by keeping foliage dry. These systems are highly efficient and allow for precision delivery of water and can be used for nutrient delivery as well.
- Ebb and flow systems, sometimes referred to as flood and drain systems, and usually used for plants growing on a bench with side walls or in trays. The table or tray is periodically flooded with water or a water/nutrient blend, which then flows back into a reservoir after a predetermined amount of time. This method promotes healthy root growth, and is ideal for seedlings and clones. It also allows for oxygenation of the roots once the trays or table has been drained.
- Aeroponic systems are not as commonly used, but should be considered when rapid growth is required. With these systems, roots are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient solution at scheduled intervals, allowing for efficient nutrient absorption. Often used for starting seedlings, and clones, this type of system allows for excellent oxygenation, and quick plant development.
- Nutrient Film Technique systems, usually just referred to as NFT systems, are hydroponic systems where a thin film of nutrient solutions continually circulates and “bathes” plant roots in a trough or channel. This is another highly efficient method in terms of water and nutrient use, and also provides good aeration for the roots.
- Sprinkler systems are commonly used in outdoor irrigation, but can also be used in indoor grow rooms. Overhead sprinklers, usually on a timer, are installed over top of pants to water at regular intervals. These systems cover large areas, and are easy to set up, but are not as efficient as other types of automatic irrigation setups.
- Soil moisture sensors and controllers. Utilizing sensors that monitor the moisture levels of soil, these systems automatically adjust irrigation schedules to make sure plants receive the correct amount of moisture when needed. These systems prevent overwatering and ensure that plants receive appropriate amounts of irrigation, enhancing both growth and resource efficiency.
- Wicking systems are simple low-tech solutions for keeping plants moist. Utilizing a type of absorbent roping material, these systems draw water from a reservoir and send it directly to the plants’ soil. This is a popular, inexpensive system, suitable for smaller-sized operations, or for use in areas where constant moisture is needed.
- Capillary matting is a type of wicking system, where plants are set on a special type of mat that is kept moist to wick water up to the plants’ root systems. These provide constant moisture and are often used for seedling trays in propagation.
Of course, growers do not have to select just one option. Combining methods for optimal coverage, or setting up one type of system for one area, and another for a separate area are not uncommon, even with larger commercial growing operations. As with anything, cost, time, and available resources often dictate which system(s) will be selected.
Considerations for Setting up an Automatic Irrigation System
While each automatic irrigation system is different, there are some common things that need to be looked at for each of them. Once you are leaning towards a particular type of commercial system, it is important to consider what the needs are for setting that system up. It probably doesn’t need to be said, but every system will need a reliable source of water to operate. Whether this is a municipal supply, a well, a pond, or a reservoir tank, it is important to make sure that the source is capable of supplying the needs for your particular system.
Next, every system needs a method to deliver the water from the source to the plants. This could be gravity, but more often than not, it is some type of pump. Make sure that the pump you select is big enough to move the volume of water that you will need flowing through your system to effectively water your crops.
Plan for maintenance to your system. The most sophisticated and best designed commercial automated irrigation system will still require routine and as-needed maintenance. It is a good idea to stock the tools you would need to make repairs, and have a selection of tubing, emitters, fittings, valves, etc. that are specific to your type of system. The system will not always perform the way it should and you need to be ready to minimize the amount of time your crops are without needed moisture and potentially nutrients.
During the setup of your system and periodically during the useful life of the system, test each component to make sure there are no blockages that could be preventing your plants from getting water. Utilizing a filtered or RO water source will reduce this likelihood, but it is still a consideration.
Final Thoughts on Automated Commercial Irrigation
Commercial automated irrigation systems inevitably result in long-term cost savings for professional growers in almost any situation. They enhance productivity, improve plant health, and are a great investment for the typical, commercial grow room operations. Growers, however, may have difficulty implementing such a system if their irrigation delivery systems or water supply capability are unable to keep up with the demand of an automatic irrigation system. In these cases, water supply issues will need to be addressed before any type of auto system can be pursued.
When choosing the type of commercial automatic irrigation system that you think will fit best with your particular operation, keep in mind a few things. Consider the specific needs of the crop, the current and projected size of the operation, and available resources, such as the water supply capabilities. Fortunately, each system can usually be tailored to any unique growing situation. When in doubt, rely on the advice and support of the professionals who make it their job to ensure your growing success to help you design a commercial automated irrigation system to fit your individual, and your crops’ needs.
