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Irrigation Rate Calculation for Nursery Crops

Determination of the irrigation rate based on the concept of potential evapotranspiration has gained full recognition and is widely applied in agriculture. The atmospheric approach for irrigation rate calculation rests upon firm physical principles, is based on well-researched models, and with the help of available high-tech equipment, lends itself to unattended operation. Application of irrigation rates determined on this basis prevents over watering and leaching of nutrients, particularly NO3, from sandy nursery soils. An automated system of weather data monitoring and irrigation rate calculation for operational use in forest nurseries (developed at the Ontario Forest Research Institute) is based on existing equipment (sensors and micrologger) for monitoring air temperature, global solar radiation, air relative humidity, wind, and rainfall. Data are transferred and archived automatically into an IBM-AT computer that calculates the potential evapotranspiration and then converts it into the irrigation rate expressed in minutes of operation for sprinkler installations based on spacing of sprinklers, pressure, and nozzle type.


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Author(s): C. S. Papadopol

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 41, Number 4 (1990)

Volume: 41

Number: 4