Lecture # 11 Water Quality - Irrigation Practices
Watering: No Simple Matter! Water source.! Water within the growing medium.! Water uptake and use by the plant.! Water stress.! Watering methods.! Water: amount and frequency.
TRANSPIRATION IRRIGATION EVAPORATION DRAINAGE
What Happens to Water Applied to Soil in Container with Foliage Plant Growing: * Excess over soil holding capacity drains away. * Of the water retained by the soil: - a portion is used for plant growth; - a portion is used to keep the plant turgid; - a portion is transpired; - a portion evaporates from the soil, container wall; - a portion remains in the soil.
The Water Source The three most important factors of water quality are: total salt content, alkalinity and ph.
The Water Source Hard water - water that has relatively high concentrations of calcium, magnesium or other minerals. Treatment - water softener which substitutes sodium for the minerals contributing to the original hardness. Problem - soil sodium levels and soluble salts.
Improving Water Quality " Filtration. " Osmotic exchange. " Distillation.
The Elemental Content and Chemical Properties of Water Suited for Use on Indoor Plants " Electrical Conductivity - < 1.0 millimhos/cm " Total Soluble Salts - < 525 ppm " % of Salts as Sodium - < 40 % " Sodium Absorption Ratio - < 10
The Elemental Content and Chemical Properties of Water Suited for Use on Indoor Plants " ph - 5.5 to 7.0 " Alkalinity - < 100 ppm " Sulfates - < 240 ppm " Nitrates - < 50 ppm
Maximum Elemental Concentrations in ppm Phosphorus - 5 Potassium - 10 Calcium - 75 Manganese - 2 Iron - 5 Boron - < 0.8 Copper - 0.2 Zinc - 5 Sodium - 50 Aluminum - 5 Molybdenum - 0.02 Chloride - 140 Fluoride < 1.0
Watering: No Simple Matter! Water source.! Water within the growing medium.! Water uptake and use by the plant.! Water stress.! Watering methods.! Water: amount and frequency.
Water Availability Root hair Matrix Suction Osmotic Suction Plant root Air Air Soil particle Water
Average container soil mix - wet soil following irrigation applied at one spot wet soil initial wetting pattern dry soil final wetting pattern
stale air bubbles to surface Water Within the Growing Medium as water drains, suction draws in fresh, oxygenated air soil at field capacity saturated zone dry zone old air (and) salts forced out of drainage holes
Coping with soil shrinkage caused by extreme soil dryness multiple waterings wetting agents mist - devices
Cohesion - Adhesion - Tension Mechanism transpiration water column moves up through the plant as transpirational water is lost water absorption into root
root hairs epidermis cortex endodermis pericycle phloem xylem apical meristem root cap mucigel sheath maturation zone elongation zone meristematic zone
intercellular space Casparian strip endodermis pericycle phloem xylem root hair PATHWAY A PATHWAY B epidermis cortex
PATHWAY A Water moves by osmosis through cellular membranes and living cells; solutes move mainly by active transport. PATHWAY B Water flows through cell walls and intercellular spaces; solutes move with the flow or by diffusion.
Vesicular - Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (VAM) Fungi arbuscle vesicle epidermis endodermis root hair external mycellium cortex root
Watering: No Simple Matter! Water source.! Water within the growing medium.! Water uptake and use by the plant.! Water stress.! Watering methods.! Water: amount and frequency.
Water - Related Plant Stress " Poor aeration of roots. " Salt stress. " Underwatering. " Temperature - related water stress.
Wetting Agents Chemicals that increase the movement of water. FUNCTIONS :! facilitate percolation.! enhance drainage.! rewetting.
Watering: No Simple Matter! Water source.! Water within the growing medium.! Water uptake and use by the plant.! Water stress.! Watering methods.! Water: amount and frequency.
Watering: When and How Much? " Determining the need to water! by turgor! by touch! by weight! a visual check! technology! time
Proper Methods of Watering " Best watering imitates a good rain. " Drench the soil without erosion, bringing soil to field capacity.
Proper Methods of Watering " Hose and breaker. " Self-watering containers. " Drip irrigation system. " Mona Link.
Watering from Above vs. Below Above Water applied from above should:! Avoid foliage. Why? Always?! Remove dust. Below! Capillary action draws water into soil.! Prevents soil compaction.! Soil saturation.
Wick System planting medium water intake and ventilation slot wick plant roots pot mulch capillary action air circulation water reservoir
watertight decorative container grow pot planting medium capillary wick mulch Fabric Wick System fill tube foam collar void capillary action reservoir Water Disc Unit
Subirrigation in a Non-Watertight Container wicker basket planter with liner fill tube mulch capillary action capillary wick reservoir
Subirrigation in a Non-Watertight Container water intake tube subirrigation container capillary action aeration and grainage holes water- fertilizer reservoir mulch non-watertight decorative container capillary column contains Perlite impermeable saucer
Water Intake Tube
Camouflage?
water level indicator planting medium planting medium wick fill tube Capillary Leg System mulch capillary action Capillary leg reservoir watertight decorative container insert platform with aeration vents
water intake tube and ventilation slot air circulation capillary tape Capillary Tape planting medium capillary action castors water indicator inner pot outer pot clear indicator case float water reservoir
Vacuum Sensor System water intake tube and ventilation slot water is pulled up through soil by capillary action water enters slowly through inlet when activated by sensor sensor controls watering; watering action starts when sensor is dry, stops when it is moist water reservoir
Hydroponic Plant System inner support medium water level gauge special inner container decorative container moisture diffusion area nutrient solution
The Mona - Link Link reservoir Link connecting tube Fill tube End cap The Mona-Link is used to subirrigate garden-style plants beds by interconnecting units in whatever configurations are necessary to provide even moisture applications.
Application of Mona - Link to Planter Beds with Changing Topography
Complete Automation of Garden - Style Subirrigation System shallow-rooted deep-rooted plants plant water supply controlled by sensor or time clock
Components of Drip Irrigation System strainer controller multiple outlet distribution feeder tubing preset pressure regulator PVC supply line
Capillary Leg System for Jardiniers water intake tube foam collar void planting medium watertight decorative container mulch capillary action capillary column contains Perlite subirrigation container aeration and grainage holes water- fertilizer reservoir
Where Does the Water Come From?
Hose Bib
Box Hydrant
Water Management: When and How to Apply Water CONSIDERATIONS: * Plant type. * Plant size. * Container volume. * Soil moisture. * Indoor environment.