Rotator® Full Coverage Irrigation
12Pages

Handy Pocket Guide save water, save energy and do a better job of irrigating. rotator® technology FULL COVERAGE IRRIGATION Copyright © 2008 Nelson Irrigation Corporation for tree & vine crops — the facts.

What is Full Coverage Irrigation? Full Coverage Irrigation (FCI) is an irrigation design and management philosophy that enlists the irrigation system in a holistic approach to give the grower superior agronomic control over the farming system. FCI delivers benefits to the grower on many different levels to ultimately provide maximum return on investment. Key to a successful FCI system is a sprinkler designed and engineered to deliver water with maximum uniformity at a low application rate (to match the soil’s infiltration rate) over a large radius of throw. In contrast to part coverage,...

Rotator® Full Coverage Irrigation offers many benefits to growers not available through part coverage, drip, spray jet or spinner irrigation systems, such as: 1. Reduced tree stress during periods of heat or harvest 2. Ability to establish and maintain a healthy cover crop 3. Improved water infiltration and reduced ponding 4. Prevention of soil cracking 5. Environmental control: cooling and dust suppression 6. Improved effectiveness of chemical and fertilizer applications 7. Salinity management 8. Increased overall nutrient availability part coverage irrigation falls short Young trees may...

Although the tree develops a greater density of roots in the wetted zone, the transpiration demand exceeds its ability to extract moisture from this limited area. During periods of heat stress, operators respond by increasing irrigation durations and nutrient leaching begins. To simply provide the daily ET requirement, the part coverage system is run 25 to 50% of the time. The soil in the limited root zone begins to develop problems such as reaching an anaerobic state due to frequent irrigation and/or application rates above the infiltration rate. These anaerobic conditions kill off active...

FCI —The Facts. The many benefits of having cover crops in conjunction with tree and vine crops are well documented and include: · · · · · · · · · Cover crops improve the infiltration capacity of the soil Cover crops reduce dust, which in turn reduces certain insect pressures Cover crops provide a habitat for beneficial insects Cover crops prevent erosion caused by wind or runoff Certain cover crops are legumes that fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil Certain cover crops can be grown as green manure crops to make essential nutrients available to the crop Cover crops are an effective tool...

prevent Infiltration problems In part coverage systems, soil compaction, salinity and low organic matter content can quickly contribute to infiltration problems. The high kinetic energy and high instantaneous application rates of spray jet streams quickly break down soil aggregates and accelerate soil sealing. Ponding of water increases evaporative losses, further breaks down soil structure, creates anaerobic conditions that diminish nutrient availability and becomes a habitat to encourage disease development. Infiltration rates in soils can drop to near or below .10 in/hr (2.5 mm/hr)....

FCI —The Facts. Rotator systems can be designed to easily meet E.T. requirements and still deliver water to the soil gently in the range of .04 to .15 in/hr (1 to 3.8 mm/hr). A uniform light application rate Rotator full coverage system can be combined with applications of gypsum and other soil amendments to vastly improve soil infiltration problems. eliminate Soil Cracking Heavy soils will crack when they dry. In some cases cracking can be so severe that it can damage root systems by shearing or by exposing them to heat or freezing. In tree nut crops, cracking can be a significant problem...

apply chemicals with a fci system The benefit of fertigation through drip systems is well understood by many. The high uniformity of full coverage Rotator systems has made fertigation of larger trees very effective as well. Many pre-emergent herbicides require timely activation with around 1/2” (12 mm) of irrigation (see chemical manufacturers’ details). Also, full coverage irrigation allows the option of applying dry fertilizers or special organic fertilizers and their quick incorporation into the soil. combat Salinity issues Drip and part coverage irrigation systems push salts to the...

FCI —The Facts. and utilization of nutrients. It can also increase the effectiveness of organic based soil amendments or fertilizers. Over time, cover crops contribute organic matter to the soil, which improves soil structure and increases aeration. prevent Nutrient leaching Keeping nutrients in the active root zone is a function of good irrigation scheduling. When trees become large, the quantity of water required between irrigation events to meet transpiration needs can easily exceed the water holding capacity of the soil in the limited root zone. This problem frequently occurs in shallow...

Research has demonstrated that cooling increases photosynthesis. Growers have also come to realize that cooled fruit is better suited for storage and is of higher quality. Other crops, such as cherries, are cooled to increase flowering. High uniformity, reliability, ideal droplet size and simple overhead mounting are important features that make Rotators the product of choice for crop cooling. orchard floor preparation for harvest The ability to wet the entire orchard floor during summer enables better orchard floor preparation for harvest. Nut growers report that a retrofit to a full...

Crop Specific Benefits from full coverage irrigation Apples & Pears · Larger root systems are established, stress is reduced and fruiting wood is increased · Cover crops provide many benefits (see page 5) · Cooling · Improved nutrient availability Tree Nuts · Improved infiltration · Dust reduction · Salinity management · Reduced stress during production and harvest Cherries, Peaches & Other Stone Fruits · Reduced stress during fruit bud formation · Cover crops improve infiltration and cooling · Improved nutrient availability Citrus and Avocados · Reduced stress improves fruit size ·...