The agriculture sector in any country consumes around 70 percent of the freshwater. Therefore, it becomes essential to use water-saving irrigation techniques to make optimal use of water. Micro-irrigation involves watering the plants, crops, and landscape in a slow manner to prevent wastage of water. There are many techniques of micro-irrigation, and all of them supply water in the form of drips, sprays, and tiny streams. Let us explore the benefits of micro-irrigation systems.
Saves water
Micro-irrigation (MI) proves to be an effective method of saving water and increasing efficiency compared to traditional surface irrigation. As micro-irrigation equipment supplies water in the form of tiny streams, the plants and crops get the amount they require. No water is wasted while using micro-irrigation equipment.
Increase in irrigation capacity
A micro-irrigation system is highly efficient as compared to conventional methods of watering. The efficiency of drip irrigation systems can be up to 90 percent. However, farmers need to maintain their systems to ensure there are no blocked drips or leakage.
Higher yields
The micro-irrigation systems produce higher yields than traditional methods. It is estimated that productivity gains due to the use of micro-irrigation are in the range of 40 to 90 percent for different crops. The crop yield increases to 45% in wheat, 20% in gram, and 40% in soybean.
Reduced water losses
A lot of water is lost in transportation and through evaporation, runoff, and deep holes. However, a micro-irrigation system, once installed, can reduce the loss of water as it supplies water in the required areas like soil near the roots. A well-maintained micro-irrigation system can help you to save lots of water and preserve it for the future.
Energy efficiency
Reducing the consumption of water in micro irrigation also reduces the use of energy (electricity) used to extract water from wells. Therefore, they help farmers save money on their electricity bills by using mono pumps with micro-irrigation rather than high volume motors. The irrigation shop in Australia offers high-quality irrigation equipment for home gardens and commercial farms. The company supplies mono pumps and other irrigation products to farmers, landscape owners, and golf clubs. Visit their website to know more about their products and services.
Reduced consumption of fertilizers
An efficient drip irrigation system reduces fertilizer consumption as the fertilizers do not flow away with the water, as in the case of flood irrigation. They also prevent the growth of weeds by limiting the humid areas. In this situation, the outbreak of fungus and diseases also reduces, thereby minimizing the need for pesticides.
Precision Agriculture
GPS-based computerized precision micro-irrigation systems will allow producers to apply water and agrochemicals precisely to meet the requirements of crops. Soil and plant, as provided by wireless sensor networks.
Final Words
There are some benefits of micro-irrigation for farmers and landscape owners. Moreover, the systems are now equipped with sensors to know the weather conditions and adjust their timings accordingly. If you pick a smart micro-irrigation system for your landscape, you can control them with a phone app without visiting your landscape. The benefits of micro-irrigation are many, but what you get depends on the make and model of the system you choose for your landscape.
