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Agronomy: Knowledge that Drives Results
Hands-on agronomic advice for every crop
This Knowledge Base document is where we create factual FAQ support questions and answers for the support for the Ladybird IoT product linked to automated irrigation systems and in particular that of Netafim.
We get it. Managing irrigation and fertigation for multiple plots, in changing weather, soil and crop conditions, can be complicated, and time consuming.
That’s where Ladybird IoT™ comes to the rescue, the Ladybird IoT dashboard offers a vast amount of data that can help you create the perfect precision irrigation schedule.
Ladybird IoT™ is a simple, intuitive and visual digital farming work tool that helps you plan and execute your irrigation plans with greater reliability, transparency, and less effort.
Ladybird IoT Frequently Asked Irrigation Questions.
Q: Why choose precision irrigation for wine grapes?
A: Close the gap between rain events
Depending on spring and summer rains will work some of the time, but what about those years where rain is insufficient? Avoid the risk of yield loss by taking control of your soil-water balance.
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Control plant stress
Drip irrigation gives you the ability to control water deficit (RDI) and plant stress. You can regulate vegetative growth and berry size while controlling stress-induced sensorial parameters. -
Reduce costs by 30%
Drip irrigation delivers a controlled amount of water and nutrients straight to the roots of each plant, wasting nothing. This practice can save you up to 30% in water and fertilizer costs alone, compared to any other irrigation method. In addition, precise water delivery ensures minimal weed growth, reducing herbicide application costs. -
Protect your vineyard from frost
Spring frost can cause significant damage, claiming up to 100% of your yield in some cases. Frost protection solutions are indispensable and will ensure you harvest your grapes every year - with no surprises.
Q: Why should you choose drip irrigation over sprinklers?
A: Drip irrigation delivers water and nutrients directly to your vines’ root zone providing optimal, uniform soil moisture and outstanding aeration. As no water is wasted in run-off or evaporation, drip irrigation uses up to 20% less water and energy than sprinkler irrigation. Focusing on the roots means that there is no unwanted weed growth between crop rows, and moisture levels within the canopy remain low, reducing the risk of foliar diseases.
Q: Can drip irrigation systems be activated remotely?
A: Yes. Our advanced digital tools in the Ladybird IoT dashboard allow you to activate and manage both irrigation and fertigation from the palm of your hand, wherever you are. You can also utilize additional digital monitoring by adding a Delta-T soil moisture and temperature sensor to your Ladybirds located in the field to optimize your plant yields and resources.
Q: Driplines have to remain above ground, or can they be installed subsurface ?
A: Driplines for wine grapes can either remain above ground or be installed subsurface, depending on your requirements. Subsurface drip irrigation guarantees that the driplines are protected from cultivation and harvesting machinery or animal-related damage, which is a significant
agro-mechanical advantage. Above-ground driplines, however, favour easy inspection and cost less to install. Either way, irrigation performance is equivalent between the two options.
Q: Why choose drip irrigation for your blueberries?
A: Target your roots
The unique root system of the blueberry plant makes it a demanding crop to grow. It also requires a low pH and a very specific environment to reach the highest yields. Drip irrigation delivers fertilizers and nutrition precisely to the root zone, as and when needed, maintaining a consistently balanced environment.
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Mastering quality parameters
Blueberries reach their full genetic potential when given the right amount of water and nutrients throughout the growing season. Accurate and frequent adjustment of nutrients and water means perfect size, taste and crispness. Drip irrigation provides the ideal growing conditions for blueberries by stabilizing, controlling and optimizing the irrigation and fertilization applications. -
Save big on water
Drip irrigation uses 45% less water than micro sprayers, and 60% less water than sprinklers because it delivers the water directly to the plant roots. Other irrigation systems spray the plant canopy and the evaporated water is wasted.
Q: What is the expected yield for blueberries with drip irrigation?
A: While yield is influenced by many factors including crop, variety, soil and climate conditions, typical yields can reach 40-60 tons/ha on average per year.
Q: When should I use sprinklers or micro-sprinklers instead of drip irrigation?
A: In some scenarios, sprinklers (or micro-sprinklers) are recommended for blueberry irrigation.
For example, when the water quality is extremely poor, or when growing in open field with a high risk of frost, a sprinkler system can be used for both irrigation and frost protection.
Q: Why precision irrigation for processing tomatoes?
A: Be in charge of your Brix
Precision irrigation means you have the best control of your irrigation regime and can induce water stress as the fruit ripens. This drives sugars to the fruit, resulting in higher Brix levels.
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Eliminate moisture stress
Eliminating moisture stress during the flowering and fruit setting stage ensures maximum yield. Drip irrigation is the only method to water the plant root zone frequently, enabling stress-free moisture conditions to be maintained. -
Balance vegetative growth and productiveness
It is important to maintain the balance between vegetative growth and productiveness. Precision irrigation provides both the control and the flexibility to ensure crops receive the exact amount of water and fertilizer they need.
Q: What yield can I expect with precision irrigation?
A: 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.
Q: Can drip irrigation reduce input costs when compared to other irrigation methods?
A: Yes! Drip irrigation requires less labour than flood or sprinkler irrigation systems. Flood irrigation and sprinklers tend to be operated by someone in the field to operate the irrigation process. Precision irrigation systems are operated by creating a routine schedule on your Ladybird IoT dashboard via your PC or Smart Phone. You can also utilize additional digital monitoring by adding a Delta-T soil moisture and temperature sensor to your Ladybirds located in the field to optimize your plant yields and resources.