Potato Grower

February 2018

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18 POTATO GROWER | FEBRUARY 2018 TOP 5 SAVE WATER AND MONEY WITH YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM By Howard Neibling, Extension Water Management Engineer, University of Idaho TOP 5 SAVE WATER AND MONEY WITH YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM By Howard Neibling, Extension Water Management Engineer, University of Idaho One of the biggest expenses of any potato-growing operation is properly irrigating those precious plants. As growers gear up for the upcoming season, here are five tips to help them save water and money—and grow a healthier, higher-yielding crop in 2018. On set systems (hand lines, wheel lines and solid set), replace worn nozzles and fix system leaks to reduce unintentional over-pumping. This will reduce required hours of irrigation to meet crop needs while saving water and reducing energy costs. Leaks and worn nozzles also reduce system pressure on set systems, resulting in lower application uniformity. Average water and energy use due to leaks and worn nozzles was 25 percent higher than needed based on recent test results from 30 set system laterals in southern Idaho. On pivots or linears, replace the sprinkler package, or at least the pressure regulators, about every five to seven years. Moving pressure regulator parts stop moving freely due to accumulated mineral deposits, resulting in lower system application uniformity. Sixty-five percent of the 30 pivots tested had measured uniformities low enough to require sprinkler package replacement. Consider dropping sprinkler heads to just above the potato canopy to reduce water losses to evaporation and wind drift. This can reduce irrigation application by 15 percent or more, but may require reducing sprinkler spacing to a maximum of 10 feet— or even 5 feet—depending on water droplet trajectory. irrigation application irrigation application

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