About this workshop
Understanding your irrigation system is a key component of achieving water use efficiency in any nursery.
This workshop identifies and compares the main features of different irrigation systems including overhead, drip for container plants and bottom watering systems. Participants will undertake a practical session that goes through the process of evaluating the performance of fixed overhead sprinkler systems.
On completion of the workshop, participants will be able to determine and compare the relative efficiency and performance of different irrigation systems. Equipped with these new skills and insights, participants will be able to make considered value judgements on the best irrigation system to implement in their respective nurseries.
Workshop outcomes
At the completion of the workshop participants will be able to:
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different types of irrigation systems
- Evaluate and compare sprinkler performance using Mean Application Rate ( MAR), Coefficient of uniformity (Cu) and Scheduling coefficient (S)
- Discuss uniformity - the factors affecting it and how it affects the bottom line
- Discuss the operation, efficiency and cost of hand watering
- Match application rates with absorption rates of potting media
- Assess types of nozzles and usages of boom sprays
- Understand the operational and management constraints of bottom watering systems
- Measure the performance of sprayjet and drip systems
Workshop outline
Session 1: Fixed overhead sprinklers, mobile booms, hand watering
- Introduction to sprinklers
- Sprinkler distribution patterns
- How pressure affects sprinkler patterns
- Pressure ranges
- The affect of sprinkler spacing
- Measuring irrigation performance
- Comparing two overhead sprinkler systems
- Boom sprays
- Range of nozzles is available
- Hand watering
Session 2 (practical): Evaluating the performance of a fixed overhead sprinkler system
This practical session illustrates the process for conducting this review in any nursery. It covers information such as:
- Reviewing a number of different sprinklers and sprinkler arrangements
- Determining irrigation block pressure
- Measuring sprinkler output
Session 3: Drip irrigation
- Introduction to drip irrigation
- Multi-hole devices
- Spray stakes
- Drippers
- Advantages of using drip irrigation
Session 4: Bottom watering systems
- Introduction to bottom watering systems
- Key points on capillary action
- Water quality issues
- Sub irrigation systems
- Ebb and Flow benches
- Flood floor systems
- Trough systems
- Capillary matting systems
- Management of bottom watering systems
- Advantages and disadvantages of bottom watering systems
Target audience
Staff engaged in activities relating to irrigation and water management, who have little knowledge of the different irrigation systems available to production nurseries. May include nursery personnel, business owners and production managers.
Workshop prerequisites
Nil
Session length
4 hours
CNP activity points
For more information
For more information about this workshop contact your state or territory Nursery & Garden Industry Association.
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