Drip-style irrigation is one of Australia’s most efficient and effective ways to water any crop, including grass, fruits and vegetables. Drip irrigation can be used in various weather conditions and requires very little water. There are many different types of drip-style irrigation systems. These irrigation systems can even be customised for each farm regardless of size.
There Are Two Main Different Types Of Drip Style Irrigation Systems Prevalent In Australia
- Micro-irrigation is the most common type of drip system since it’s not complicated, requires less maintenance and costs less to install. It involves simple plastic tubing that delivers water directly to plant roots via emitters or drippers inserted into holes on the bottom of each pot.
- Drip tape – another type of drip system which uses black plastic or rubber hoses with pre-installed emitters spaced along them at regular intervals between plants.
Drip Irrigation prevents excess water from being wasted on rainy days when the ground is already saturated with moisture or during the scorching summers in Australia when the land remains barren without adequate water moisture. Drip-style irrigation is so common in Australia that it uses smart technology and hydroponics to grow crops effectively without wastage and feed the country. The advantages of drip-style irrigation are listed below:
Environmentally-Friendly
Drip-style irrigation systems are more environmentally friendly than other methods because they use less power than sprinkler systems and do not require heavy machinery or large tractors, which would damage soil structure by compacting it during transportation between farms.
Because drip-style irrigation does not waste water through evaporation as overhead sprinklers do, there is less runoff into streams after rainfall events. This helps prevent flooding downstream and erosion upstream, where runoff enters rivers or lakes.
Works In Any Weather Condition
Drip irrigation can be used in a variety of weather conditions. The only factor that affects the success of drip-style irrigation is the amount of water available to the plants. Drip-style irrigation does not rely on sunlight or any other external sources, such as wind or air movement, to deliver its water efficiently. As long as there is enough water in the soil for the roots to absorb, it will continue to function properly regardless of what time of year in Australia farmers use it or how much rain or sun there has been recently.
Requires Less Water
Drip-style irrigation requires very little water and is a very efficient way to water the lawn or garden. It uses much less water and therefore costs less than sprinkler systems. This is because drip-style irrigation systems utilise emitters that release water in a very small, measured amount over an extended period. This allows the plant roots to take up all of the moisture they need without being drowned by too much rain at once.
Improves Soil And Nutrient Retention
Drip-style irrigation systems help improve soil and nutrient retention. The soil and nutrients retained by drip-style irrigation systems help reduce erosion, runoff and evaporation. The system also reduces overall water consumption by allowing the plant to be watered much slower than traditional overhead sprinkler systems.
Reduces Weed Growth
Drip-style irrigation systems are also known for reducing weed growth and improving crop yields. Weed growth has been a common problem for local farms across Australia, and Australian farmers spend a lot of money keeping it at bay.
Conclusion
In addition to being more efficient than overhead irrigation, drip-style irrigation can be used in any weather conditions to ensure that plants receive the right amount of water at the right time. This ensures that crops get exactly what they need during their growing process.
