Impact of Microirrigation on Florida Horticulture

Abstract

<jats:p>The Florida horticulture industry (vegetables, ornamentals, citrus, and deciduous fruit), valued at $4.5 billion, has widely adopted microirrigation techniques to use water and fertilizer more efficiently. A broad array of microirrigation systems is available, and benefits of microirrigation go beyond water conservation. The potential for more-efficient agricultural chemical (pesticides and fertilizer) application is especially important in today's environmentally conscious society. Microirrigation is a tool providing growers with the power to better manage costly inputs, minimize environmental impact, and still produce high-quality products at a profit.</jats:p>

Using Irrigation to Manage Weeds: A Focus on Drip Irrigation

“…Due to the large observable increases in yield and quality associated with irrigation, many farmers tend to over-irrigate, viewing it as an insurance policy for growing fruits and vegetables. Irrigation can routinely exceed 10% of input costs in the US [7] and over-irrigating may reduce yields in some instances [8]. Excessive irrigation not only depletes freshwater reserves, but may leach fertilizers and other chemicals from agricultural lands [9][10][11].…”

Water Application Scheduling by Pan Evaporation for Drip-irrigated Tomato

“…Currently, about 4700 ha of tomatoes are drip irrigated in Florida (Hochmuth et al, 1993), and drip irrigation of tomato and other vegetables is increasing. A simple method to determine how much water to apply is of major concern.…”

Water Management and Water Relations of Horticultural Crops: Introduction to the Colloquium

“…Water scarcity, economic consideration, and regulatory influences have led to drip irrigation of a number of vegetable crops in the southern and eastern United States. Fruit trees have also been successfully irrigated with microsprinklers (Hochmuth et al, 1993).…”