Water and Nutrient Management
Perhaps the most important components for economic success in the produce industry is addressing water and nutrient management. By incorporating current technologies and Best Management Practices (BMPs), producers water and nutrients can be managed to maintain high yields, reduce costs, and protect natural resources.
Topics in this category offer scientifically-sound application methods such as drip irrigation, soil moisture sensors, and others:
On-Farm Blue Dye Demonstrations
Improving irrigation management in vegetable crop production reduces production costs, saves water, and reduces the risk of nutrient leaching. As water movement in the root zone below mulched beds is difficult to see, injecting soluble dye through the drip irrigation system provides a simple and practical method to visualize water movement in the soil.
These three modules provide insight into the blue dye injection process:
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Introduction
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Dr. Eric Simonne is the Northeast District Extension Director. His specialties include Horticultural Sciences and water and nutrient management for vegetables.
Publications
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Application Methods
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Dr. Eric Simonne is the Northeast District Extension Director. His specialties include Horticultural Sciences and water and nutrient management for vegetables.
Publications
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Results and Impacts
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Dr. Eric Simonne is the Northeast District Extension Director. His specialties include Horticultural Sciences and water and nutrient management for vegetables.
Publications
Small Farms Drip-Irrigation
Drip Irrigation offers farmers an economical and efficient method to water their crops, with small farm operations adopting drip irrigation practices on a smaller scale.
These modules provide information on setting up drip irrigation, best management practices, and testimonials from small-acreage and organic producers:
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Introduction and Equipment
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Dr. Eric Simonne is the Northeast District Extension Director. His specialties include Horticultural Sciences and water and nutrient management for vegetables.
Publications
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Installation Methods in the Field
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Dr. Eric Simonne is the Northeast District Extension Director. His specialties include Horticultural Sciences and water and nutrient management for vegetables.
Publications
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Franklin - Strawberry Production Demonstration
Presenters
Jim Devalerio is the County Extension Director in Union County. He works with agriculture, horticulture, and community development. Jim has active programs in educating small farmers on alternative crops and new technologies and was instrumental in helping start a new community farmers market in Starke.
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Publications
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Cognito Farm - Vegetable Production Demonstration
Presenters
Bob Hochmuth is a multi-county Extension agent at the NFREC - Suwannee Valley working in the areas of small farms, commercial vegetables, and protected culture. His specialties include alternative crops, hydroponics, plastic mulch, and drip irrigation technology. Bob was raised on a commercial vegetable farm and has been an Extension agent since 1982.
Sandra (Sam) Williams and her husband Jerry, own and operate Cognito Farm. They use sustainable farming practices to raise grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and vegetables for local customers. Sam also helps manage the Bradford Farmers Market in Starke, FL.
Publications
Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Systems
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Introduction
In this video, we introduce the IFAS virtual field day on soil moisture-based irrigation. The use of this irrigation system is proposed as a viable method for conserving the water quality and quantity while maintaining agricultural yields or landscape quality. The outline of the virtual field day, as well as the main components of an irrigation system, are presented here.
Presenters
Dr. Rafael Muñoz-Carpena specializes in surface, vadose, zone and groundwater hydrology; water quality modeling; water conservation in irrigation system design and operation.
Dr. Michael D. Dukes specializes in irrigation and drainage engineering; water quantity and quality issues; crop consumptive use; Best Management Practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
Publications
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Principles: Soil Moisture-Based Irrigation Systems
Timed Irrigation
The timer-based irrigation system is a simple automatic irrigation system method that uses a standard timer or irrigation controller. A timer will control the start time and duration of the irrigation event.
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Components
Irrigation Components
A standard irrigation timer is presented in this video. This is an essential component used in conjunction with the soil moisture sensor to control the irrigation. The soil moisture sensor is used to automatically bypass scheduled irrigation events when the soil moisture is above a desired irrigation set point.
Soil Moisture Sensor
Two types of soil of soil moisture sensors suitable for irrigation control, tensiometric and volumetric, are shown in this video. Although these types of sensor readings can be related to each other, this relationship is particular to each soil type. Issues of cost and maintenance are briefly discussed and an example an example of how a soil moisture controller work is presented
Irrigation Sensor Replacement
This video shows proper installation of a soil moisture sensor for irrigation control. The soil moisture sensors should be placed in the root zone of irrigated plants. It is important to place the sensor so that there is no air gap around the sensor. The soil should be packed firmly around the sensor.
Presenters
Dr. Rafael Muñoz-Carpena specializes in surface, vadose, zone and groundwater hydrology; water quality modeling; water conservation in irrigation system design and operation.
Dr. Michael D. Dukes specializes in irrigation and drainage engineering; water quantity and quality issues; crop consumptive use; Best Management Practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
Publications
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Practical Considerations
Application of the System
Several tips are given in this video on sensor installation in different soil types as well as how to position sensors in turfgrass.
In rocky soils, extra care must be taken to be sure that air gaps do not exist around the sensor after installation.
The soil moisture threshold should be set near field capacity for the irrigated soil. Salinity, for example, from fertigation, can impact soil moisture sensor performance.
Irrigation water savings of 30-50% or higher using soil moisture sensor irrigation control has been shown in research.Presenters
Dr. Rafael Muñoz-Carpena specializes in surface, vadose, zone and groundwater hydrology; water quality modeling; water conservation in irrigation system design and operation.
Dr. Michael D. Dukes specializes in irrigation and drainage engineering; water quantity and quality issues; crop consumptive use; Best Management Practices to reduce nonpoint source pollution.
Publications