Irrigation_Management_in_Cocopeat_Answers (1).pdf

Irrigation Management in Cocopeat Answers 1. What is the ideal volume of cocopeat per square meter to enable effective irrigation management? Answer: The ideal volume of cocopeat is approximately 8-10 liters per square meter. Maintaining this volume helps steer crop production in the desired...

Irrigation Management in Cocopeat Answers 1. What is the ideal volume of cocopeat per square meter to enable effective irrigation management? Answer: The ideal volume of cocopeat is approximately 8-10 liters per square meter. Maintaining this volume helps steer crop production in the desired direction. 2. Explain the consequences of having less than 8 liters of cocopeat during hot weather. Answer: Less than 8 liters is insufficient, causing the crop to steer towards generative actions. This can negatively impact fruit production when conditions are hot. 3. How does drying of the root zone at night affect crop growth? Answer: Drying the root zone allows for oxygenation and produces plant hormones that steer growth. This process is critical for achieving maximal crop production. 4. What is the significance of knowing the moisture content of the growbag? Answer: Knowing the moisture content is critical to steer the crop and determine irrigation timing. Proper irrigation management enhances crop productivity. 5. What drying percentages at night steer crops towards generative and vegetative actions? Answer: A drying of 8-10% steers generative actions, while less than 6% steers vegetative actions. Understanding these percentages helps farmers manage crop growth effectively. 6. What are the two methods for measuring moisture content in growbags? Answer: Moisture content can be measured using scales to weigh water changes or electronic meters to measure water content directly. These methods help growers monitor the water content effectively. 7. Why should irrigation start 1-2 hours after sunrise? Answer: Irrigation should start 1-2 hours after sunrise to allow the crop to wake up and begin absorbing water from the growbag. Timing irrigation correctly ensures optimal water uptake by the plants. 8. What is the consequence of applying irrigation too early? Answer: Applying irrigation too early can create excessive root pressure, which may force water into the fruit and cause splitting. Proper timing of irrigation helps prevent physical damage to the fruit. 9. When should the last irrigation of the day occur? Answer: The last irrigation should occur 2-3 hours before sunset to allow the cocoa peat sufficient drying overnight. This timing helps reduce water content in the growbag before night. 10. What role does drainage (runoff) play in hydroponic media? Answer: Drainage is essential to regulate the electrical conductivity (EC) of the growbag, affecting the osmotic pressure and water absorption by the plant. Managing EC levels is crucial for optimal plant health and growth. 11. What does 'steering the crop' refer to in irrigation management? Answer: It refers to the techniques and tools used by growers to control crop production and growth. Effective crop steering is essential for achieving desired growth patterns and yield. 12. What is the recommended daily percentage of drainage for cocopeat? Answer: Cocopeat requires approximately 30-40% drainage each day to maintain proper EC levels. Adjusting drainage helps control the nutrient and water uptake effectively. 13. How is vegetative growth characterized in plants? Answer: It is characterized by thick stems, upright flowers, strong leaf growth, and poor fruit set. Emphasizing vegetative growth can lead to an imbalance in energy allocation for fruit development. 14. When should maximum drainage occur during the day? Answer: Maximum drainage should occur at the peak of light during the day, when the plant is absorbing large volumes of water. This timing enhances nutrient uptake while preventing over- saturation. 15. What three purposes does irrigation serve for plants? Answer: It provides water for growth, cooling via transpiration, and draining excess salts from the root zone. Proper irrigation is crucial for maintaining plant health and optimizing growth conditions. 16. How can the average figure for drainage be adjusted throughout the day? Answer: The average drainage figure for the day must be varied at different times to keep the EC of the root zone constant. Adjustments help manage the water and nutrient balance in the grow medium. 17. How much irrigation is recommended per square meter based on light requirements? Answer: 300 mls of irrigation is recommended per square meter for effective growth. This is calculated based on the energy provided by light and is essential for crop health. 18. What is false drain in the context of cocopeat irrigation? Answer: False drain occurs when excess water does not penetrate the cocopeat slab and instead runs around its sides. This leads to poor regulation of electrical conductivity (EC) and can negatively affect crop yields. 19. What is the maximum irrigation volume recommended per square meter to prevent false drain? Answer: The recommended maximum is 300-450 mls per square meter per application. Adhering to this limit is crucial to avoid issues related to false drainage in cocopeat systems. 20. Why is it important to link irrigation applications to accumulated light levels? Answer: Linking irrigation to light levels ensures that the crops' water needs meet their growth demands. This approach helps maintain optimal growth conditions and addresses the plants' physiological needs. 21. In irrigation management, what is considered better: shorter frequent irrigations or longer intervals with larger volumes? Answer: Shorter, more frequent irrigations are better for maintaining moisture levels. This method helps avoid saturation and promotes steady growth without risking false drainage. 22. What are the potential effects of poor irrigation management on crop growth? Answer: Poor management can push crops into a highly generative mode, decreasing yields. Balancing vegetative and generative growth is key to maximizing crop production. 23. What adjustments should be made to irrigation timings according to environmental conditions? Answer: Irrigation timings should be adjusted to suit light levels throughout the day. This ensures that plants receive adequate water based on their changing needs throughout the day. 24. What is the critical DRAIN percentage needed to keep the EC in balance in the growbag? Answer: Around 50%. Maintaining a DRAIN percentage of 50% helps ensure that the electrical conductivity (EC) level is balanced in the growbag. 25. Why should the first 1 or 2 irrigations not cause DRAIN at the start of the day? Answer: Because the growbag will have dried down at night. Starting the day with minimal moisture helps prevent unnecessary disruption in the EC levels. 26. What should be done if the DRAIN EC is found to be HIGH? Answer: Implement more frequent irrigations. Increasing irrigation frequency helps to gradually lower the DRAIN EC back into the desired range. 27. What is the consequence of applying low EC or water alone to reduce the EC in the DRAIN? Answer: It can cause the plant to take up excessive water and result in soft fruit. Maintaining proper EC levels is crucial for preventing degradation of fruit quality. 28. Why is it important to check WC graphs during hot night periods for growbags? Answer: To ensure that growbags do not dry down too far. Monitoring water content is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for plant growth, especially during heat. 29. How should the DRAIN EC be adjusted if a change greater than 0.5 dsm is needed? Answer: It should be done gradually over 1-2 days. Gradual adjustments help prevent shocking the plant and maintain stability in the root zone. 30. What should be the pH level of nutrient tanks to ensure full nutrient availability? Answer: Less than 5.5. Maintaining the correct pH is essential for maximizing nutrient uptake by plants. 31. What form should trace elements like Copper be in to ensure their availability in the root zone? Answer: CHELATE form, such as EDTA. Using chelated forms improves the effectiveness of nutrient absorption by plants. 32. What role does the greenhouse computer play in managing EC levels? Answer: It automatically adjusts the EC of the irrigation based on light intensity. This automated system helps keep the root zone at a consistent EC level, ensuring healthy plant growth. 33. During intense summer periods, what extra irrigation measure might be required? Answer: Night applications of irrigation may be needed. This helps prevent the slab from drying out too much and causing the EC to rise excessively. 34. What is recommended if runoff water from growbags has a pH greater than 5.8? Answer: Use Iron DPTA in preference to Iron EDTA. Choosing the correct form of Iron is necessary to address specific pH conditions effectively. 35. What should be the maximum difference in EC setpoints between HIGH and LOW light conditions? Answer: No more than 0.5 dsm. Exceeding this limit can cause root zone instability, resulting in decreased yield and quality. 36. What should you never do if the EC is raised in the root zone? Answer: Never flush with water. Flushing with water can decrease crop yield; instead, increase irrigation frequency to manage EC levels.