Irrigation

Term: Turgidity

Plant: Nandina

Japanese Barberry

• Shrub, deciduous • Hardiness Zones: 4a to 8a • Height: 3’ to 6’ by Spread: 4’ to 6’ • Exposure: shade to full sun • Leaf Color: Green, Purple – Grown for Foliage

not blooms• Has small red berries in fall• Grows very slowly• Looks like a red boxwood• Has small thorns

Turgidity

• 'Turgor pressure' or turgidity is the main pressure of the cell contents against the cell wall in plant cells and bacteria cells, determined by the water content of the vacuole

Turgidity

• Very important for plant strength & metabolism

• A plant with low turgidity is “wilted”• Plants can recover if no vessel damage

takes place• Metabolism and growth suffer if turgidity is

lost• Supplemental water (irrigation) is required

for any commercial production in VA.

Types of Irrigation

• Surface

• Localized– Drip

– Sprinklers

• Sub-irrigation

Surface Irrigation – Large Scale

• Use gullies & aquaducts

• Use flooding

Subirrigation

• Irrigation water is applied to the roots only through underground pipes– Areas with high water table– Greenhouses

• Area is soaked for an interval and then water is removed by pumps & stored for next watering

Localized

• Drip

• Soakers

• Sprinklers

• Misters

Greenhouse Application

• Ebb and flow

• Prevents leaves from getting wet

• Incomplete drainage may cause oxygen problems for root systems

Capillary Mats

• Similar to ebb & flow

• Water is held in a saturated mat

• Algae problems• http://

www.ebbandflowmat.com/

Spaghetti tubing

• Works great for medium and large containers

• Doesn’t work well for small pots or cell packs

• Can be used in greenhouses or outside nurseries.

Spray/mist

• Same delivery system

• Change the head for different purposes

• Mist for propagation• Sprinkler for growing• Also used for

cooling and freeze protection

Typical Drip Irrigation System

Today

• Read chapter 26. Pages 663 to 675• Answer in your notebook:

– What plant processes require water?– Why would water in the soil be unavailable? How can

you measure it?– When is the best time of day to water?– How can you tell when turfgrass needs water?– How many inches of water per week do grass & most

plants need?– What is a pop-up sprinkler. Where is it used?– How deep should the water penetrate in good

watering?