What yield can I expect with precision irrigation?

A good, commercial yield of tomatoes with subsurface drip irrigation and best management practices (BMP), would produce between 120 to 180 tons/ha. Other irrigation methods would yield between 80to 100 tons/ha.

How much water can I save by switching to drip irrigation?

When compared to flood irrigation, you can save up to 30% of water and increase yields by more than 30%. For example, in California, USA studies have shown an increase in yield from 82ton/ha to 104 ton/ha while using less water.

Can drip irrigation reduce input costs when compared to other irrigation methods?

Yes!Drip irrigation requires less labor than flood or sprinkler irrigation systems. Flood irrigation and sprinklers both require someone in the field to operate the irrigation process. Precision irrigation systems are operated by pressing a button on your PC, or via your cell phone.

How much water should I use?

The amount of water is calculated by both the ETo (evapotranspiration) climate conditions and by the crop phenological stage expressed by the Kc factor (crop coefficient). The amount of irrigation (mm/day) = ETo * Kc. So, for example, if your ETo is 5.5 (mm/day) and your crop correlates to an 0.38 crop coefficient, you should irrigate: 5.5 * 0.38 = 2.09 mm/day.

Why should I choose drip rather than other irrigation methods that seem to be less expensive?

It’s not about cost, it’s about making the best investment. It’s been proven that drip irrigation increases processing tomatoes yield, while also improving Brix. In addition, drip technology leads to significant savings in water, fertiliser and labour. Economic calculations show that in the long run, drip is the most sustainable system for processing tomato production, delivering higher economic returns than any other method.

What are the advantages of drip irrigation over furrow irrigation?

Drip irrigation takes place throughout the entire crop cycle, as and when needed. This ensures that there are no water shortages, or stress to the crops. Furrow irrigation occurs once every 10-14 days which creates accumulated water stress in the plant. Another benefit of drip irrigation is the ability to deliver fertilisers via the drip system. This ensures your crops will receive the right amount of fertiliser (based on the plant’s phenological development) at the right time. In comparison, furrow irrigation limits application timing, making it less effective and accurate.