Maximize Irrigation Efficiency, Nutrient Utilization, and Yield Potential |
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Dr. Bielinski Santos, University of Florida Horticultural Sciences, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm, FL recently completed an Integrate Soil Surfactant water movement dye study in plasticulture on 28" beds.
The results speak for themselves as they clearly show the advantage of using Integrate Soil Surfactant, as increased soil moisture and lateral movement will lead to more efficient use of irrigation water and nutrients, improve crop uniformity and yield potential.
This study was based on virgin beds with drip irrigation applied for 1 hour using single and double drip tape with Integrate Soil Surfactant and water alone. The results were as follows:
- With single drip irrigation, the vertical moisture field improved 67.7% as coverage increased from 31% to 52%.
- With double drip irrigation, the vertical moisture field improved 37.7% as coverage increased from 67% to 92%.
- When using double-drip irrigation, the horizontal moisture field improved 164.3% as coverage increased from 28% to 74%.
The following photos* are of vertical and horizontal cross sections of the beds using single and double drip tapes with blue dye showing the actual lateral movement of the moisture field using Integrate Soil Surfactant.
SINGLE Drip Tape Vertical Cross Section:
31% coverage of the soil moisture field after one hour of water ONLY.
 67.7% increased coverage (to 52%) of the soil moisture field after one hour of water with Integrate Soil Surfactant.
DOUBLE Drip Tapes Vertical Cross Section:  67% coverage of the soil moisture field after one hour of water ONLY.
 37.3% increased coverage (to 92%) of the soil moisture field after one of hour of water with Integrate Soil Surfactant.
DOUBLE Drip Tapes Horizontal Cross Section:
164.3% increased coverage of the soil moisture field after one hour of water with Integrate Soil Surfactant. "A picture is worth a thousand words!" * Photos provided by Dr. Santos, IFAS/University of Florida, Balm, FL. |
