Deyashish Shriyastaya. Drip irrigation scheduling, growth and yield of sweet orange. Environment and Ecology, 24(4), 714-719.

Drip irrigation is a method that can save water by controlling the rate water drips to the roots of plants.  The drip irrigation design utilizes many different spouts redirecting water to different plants.  Each water spout’s drip schedule and rate of drip can be varied.

While providing the ability to micro-manage water-use, drip irrigation also conserves water by reducing the rate of water-use.  Sprinklers cover a surface area and have to use excess water to provide minimum nutrients to plants.  Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the root of individual plants, and does not cover a large surface of un-used farm land.

Drip irrigation’s capabilities have proven to be promising and is an upcoming method in orange farming.  During an experiment, orange trees were compared when using different schedules and rates or irrigation.  This experiment was to analyze the different growths of the trees and the different outcomes of fruit-growth.

The research question asks, what is the most efficient method of using drip irrigation for orange-farming?  The data compared was both qualitative and quantitative.  When comparing fruit quality, it was preference and qualitative data.  When comparing the growth of the trees, the data was measurable and quantitative. The data gathering method includes interview for qualitative data, and observe measurement records for quantitative data.   The data is then analyzed by comparison amongst tables.

This research is interesting, because it shows us how we can be more efficient with our water when crop-growing.  Not only does drip allow us to conserve water, but to control the way we use it.  By allowing us to control the rate and schedule of our irrigation, we can control the rate our plant and fruit grow.  Drip irrigation provides many new abilities to irrigation, and can be utilized by the University of Redlands.