What Are the Benefits of a Micro-Sprinkler Irrigation System?

Micro-sprinkler irrigation is a modern irrigation method that has surged in popularity in recent years due to its potential to increase crop/garden yields, grow irrigation efficiency, and decrease labour requirements.

This method irrigates your garden or lawn via surface or subsurface drippers, sprinklers, foggers, and other emitters. Compared to pipe or furrow irrigation, micro-sprinklers use 30% to 40% less water, with close attention paid to irrigation system management.

In this post, you will discover some of the major advantages of a micro-sprinkler irrigation system.

Benefits of Micro-Sprinkler Irrigation

What Are the Benefits of a Micro-Sprinkler Irrigation System

Micro-sprinklers work well for low-volume irrigation. They are used in several ways, such as surface irrigation in orchards, overhead irrigation on vegetables and in nurseries, and for frost protection. You can even use them to apply fertilizer to save on labour costs.

The following is a list of benefits of a micro-sprinkler irrigation system.

1. It Allows for Complete Irrigation

Micro-sprinkler irrigation allows for both localized and full-surface irrigation. Compared to drip irrigation, a micro-sprinkler can irrigate a larger volume of soil, making the process easier. In the case of a micro-sprinkler, emitter blockages are more visible. You can do regular field tests to check the levels of soil moisture at different depths to understand whether too much or too little water is being applied.

You need to match the wetted diameter of the micro-sprinkler to the size of the crop’s root zone. This method allows the wetted diameter to be adapted to the increasing size of the root zone as the crop develops.

2. It Saves Water

Micro-sprinkler irrigation can decrease your water, fertilizer, and labour requirements by applying water directly to the root zone using pipes or underground tubes. This results in reduced water loss through conveyance, deep percolation, evaporation, and run-off from both the leaves and soil. This system ensures uniform distribution of water by only delivering it where necessary.

Its other benefits include:

  • High efficiency, allowing for flexibility in the timing and amounts of applied water.
  • Less water being applied and reduced nutrient leaching.
  • Better timing of nutrient applications to meet plant needs.
  • Allowing for the use of polyethylene mulch.
  • Protection of small horticultural crops from freezes.

3. It Is Ideal for All Types of Soil

A micro-irrigation system is usually delivered in the form of discrete droplets, continuous drops, streams, et cetera. The best part of a micro-irrigation system is that it suits every type of soil.

For example, clay soil requires a slow water flow to avoid surface water collection and runoff. Micro-irrigation satisfies that requirement. These sandy soils need higher emitter discharge rates to ensure sufficient wetting. Other benefits include:

  • Reduced pest problems and surface crusting.
  • Reduced wetting of soil surfaces and plant canopies. This results in lower weed and disease pressure.
  • Irrigation of sloping or irregularly-shaped land that cannot be flood irrigated.

4. It Helps in ‘Fertigation’

Micro-irrigation helps in fertigation. This process mixes fertilizer and water and delivers it to plants and crops through the irrigation system. This method increases fertilizer usage efficiency between 80 and 90 per cent. This method is also used to:

  • Minimize the risk of root-contracting and soil-borne disease.
  • Prevent soil erosion.
  • Reduce water consumption and fertilizer use.
  • Increase the number of nutrients absorbed by the plants.
  • Help in chemigation by distributing crop chemicals (such as compost, soil-enhancing remedies, and growth regulators) directly into the soil.

5. Other Benefits

Apart from producing higher yields, micro-sprinklers have added benefits. They can greatly reduce the climate-related yield risks resulting from water stress. Orchard micro-sprinkler irrigation systems operate under low pressure (25-30 PSI) to closely match soil infiltration rates, orchard size, tree maturity and spacing, and the depth of the rooting system.

It also helps in:

  • Reducing frost damage.
  • Cooling and humidity control.
  • Reducing labour.
  • Faster and healthier plant and crop growth due to the system’s automation.
  • Quicker yields resulting in more immediate return on investment.

If you are convinced of the multifaceted utility of a micro-sprinkler irrigation system, you must install it for better cultivation. Our extensive product range is suitable for use across different regions, climates, and plant varieties. To learn more about our garden micro-sprinkler systems and other irrigation services, call us at 416-677-4874, or fill out our online contact form.