Morning or evening irrigation: does timing matter?
By Hanks Saisai |
When it comes to growing crops, many farmers concentrate on aspects like fertilizer and pesticide application as well as seed quality.
However, a crucial factor that often gets overlooked is the timing of watering crops. Selecting the ideal time to irrigate crops is a small but significant habit that can profoundly impact plant health. In some instances, healthy fields can experience issues like fungal pressure, weak root development and unnecessary stress.
To mitigate these problems, it is essential for farmers to recognize the importance of establishing a wellplanned irrigation schedule for their crops. Morning irrigation is known to have many benefits for plants.
A key benefit of irrigating crops early in the morning is that plants tend to absorb water more effectively, as they have enough time to soak up moisture before the heat kicks in.
Another benefit is that it lowers the risk of fungal diseases, as the plant’s foliage (leaves & branches) dries faster, humidity around the foliage area reduces naturally and the plant is allowed an opportunity to enter the day physiologically prepared for transpiration (loss of water via the leaves) and nutrient movement.
Early morning watering also reduces water loss through evaporation compared to watering in the heat of the day. Therefore, creating an environment that allows for growing healthier plants with strong root growth that consequently promotes vigorous growth.
Farmers need to establish a consistent irrigation routine to foster good habits and promote healthy crop growth. Irrigating crops in the evening can be convenient and offers several advantages. A significant benefit is that it helps minimize evaporation and transpiration, as the cooler environmental temperatures during this time reduce moisture loss.
However, irrigating in the evening has some notable drawbacks. For instance, maintaining wet foliage overnight increases the risk of diseases like mildew and fungal outbreaks. In addition, when crops are irrigated late in the day, slugs and snails tend to be more active in the damp, cool conditions.
Another challenge with evening irrigation is that crops take longer to dry. This extended wetness can increase stress on the plants and raise the risk of related problems.
When intending to grow crops, it is essential to remember the following: “When is the plant biologically best prepared to use that water?’ Agriculture is increasingly becoming a science of timing and therefore, farmers must always ensure that water is applied at the appropriate time of the day.
For farmers who opt to irrigate their fields in the evening, it’s increasingly important to practice canopy pruning and the application of fungicide to minimize the risk of fungal infections. During the winter months, it’s strongly advised that farmers avoid irrigating crops in the evening as it could lead to frost formation should temperatures drop below 5 Degree Celsius.
In today’s agricultural landscape, every drop of water matters. Irrigation timing is a straightforward yet impactful management practice that can greatly influence crop health, yield, and resource efficiency.
By watering crops when they can best absorb moisture, farmers can enhance the benefits of irrigation while reducing losses from diseases, evaporation, and environmental stress.
It’s often not about using more water to achieve better yields but rather about applying it at the right time. The ideal time to irrigate crops is during the early morning, when temperatures are cooler.
Sticking to this routine is crucial for ensuring successful crop growth.
– Mr Hanks Saisai is the technical advisor for crops and poultry at the Agricultural Bank of Namibia.
