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> pumping during the day into a storage tank, and irrigating at night Or, irrigate during the day but use sub-surface drip irrigation. [1] 1. https://www.ksre
by nyokodo 3y ago
> pumping during the day into a storage tank, and irrigating at night
Or, irrigate during the day but use sub-surface drip irrigation. [1]
1. https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/irrigate/oow/p05/Evett.pdf https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/irrigate/oow/p05/Evett.pdf
- Jedd 3y agoYes, sub-surface, or drip close to root zone, is perfect -- however that's really expensive, in terms of capex as well as maintenance, harvesting, etc. Drip systems tend to require a) a lot of pressure, and b) a very consistent pressure, to get reliable output. These are also expensive to buy & run. Drip or leaky-hose type underground systems are difficult to maintain (I've tried!) just because you can't see them. The way you find out something's wrong is usually because a plant or an area is looking very very happy, and other plants / areas are dying off. Under-mulch is good, but doesn't lend itself to broadscale cropping as described in TFA.
- nyokodo 3y ago> These are also expensive to buy & run. Long-term, it’s the cheapest option if you want to farm in an arid region.
- peterleiser 3y agoDrip is used quite a bit in Northern California for higher value crops like tomatoes, but it's too expensive for normal crops. It also seems like a non-starter for smaller scale and poorer farmers in developing nations; that's a lot of CapEx for generally lower value crops.
- nyokodo 3y ago> that's a lot of CapEx for generally lower value crops. We’re not disagreeing. Those farming regions are not viable long term unless the economics change dramatically.
- MichaelZuo 3y agoHow are current farming regions without such systems not viable? That’s the vast majority of current farm acreage in the world.
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]