Irrigation equipment seminar

Press, 20 July 1984, Page 21

Irrigation equipment seminar

Increasing profits by using a modern irrigation system to its full potential is the purpose of a seminar in Christchurch next month for horticulturists.

The availability of minisprinklers, micro-jets and drippers, designed in countries where water is scarce, has opened new fields for the horticultural industry. Many of these new pieces of equipment are desigped to make the most efficient use of water, and when used properly can boost production, increase the quality of the produce and save costs. The irrigation management seminar, to be held on Thursday, August 2, has been arranged by the Fruitgrowers Federation.

The programme will contain talks by irrigation experts, including Mr Oded Ratner, an Israeli agronomist, who is a technical adviser for Fruitfed. Mr Ratner will deal with water scheduling and fertigation (the supply of water and fertiliser direct to plant roots). Mr Peter Carran, a senior research officer for the Agricultural Engineering Institute at Lincoln, will discuss frost protection. Mr Peter Savory, irrigation designer for Fruitfed, said many growers were not aware of the capabilities of micro-irrigation because it was relatively new to Canterbury. The seminar would allow growers to learn how

to use their irrigation system to its full potential. A severe frost which wiped out much of his stonefruit crop convinced a Kaiapoi orchardist, Mr Gerald Spiertz, of the need for a frost protection system. He chose an overhead sprinkler system which can be converted to an irrigation unit in summer. The unit justified its existence in the first season of operation last winter and spring when the temperature dropped below Odeg.C five times. Mr Spiertz’s 4.5 ha orchard includes about I.2ha in peaches and nectarines and almost 2ha in pipfruit. The dual frost protection and irrigation system covers the

stonefruit section and will be extended as the stonefruit planting is increased. The same sprinklers are used for both irrigation and frost protection. During periods of frost danger, the sprinklers are mounted on 3m vertical pipes, enabling overhead irrigation of the trees. The vertical pipes are removed during summer and the sprinklers attached to the water lines at ground level, converting to an undertree irrigation unit.