Fruit, vegetables, turf and water conservation
The horticulture industry includes production horticulture (fruit, vegetables and wine) and ornamental horticulture (turf and landscape). Both types are resource intensive, using large quantities of fertilisers and water. Continued development of the horticulture industry is dependent upon growers using sustainable practices that promote efficient use of water and other resources, without harming the environment.
- To improve water use efficiency, growers and irrigation managers should:
- use irrigation methods that are appropriate to the crop
- monitor and maintain irrigation system performance
- manage water application in terms of needs of the site and local weather conditions.
Optimal conditions for growing fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables are grown in 3 ways:
1. Greenhouses
Offering controlled production conditions, greenhouse produce high-quality fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and nursery crops. Many rely on hydroponic systems where crops are grown without soil, using a liquid solution to deliver nutrients and water.
Water savings can be achieved through:
- Recirculating the production solution
- Using subsurface irrigation to deliver water to each container
- Recycling drainage water.
2. Soil-based vegetable crops
Australia enjoys a year-round supply of fresh vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes, crucifers (cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli and brussel sprouts), carrots, onions, lettuce, capsicums, peas, beans and melons. These vegetables are grown in diverse climate zones and need optimum soil moisture conditions to be maintained throughout the entire growing season.
This usually means supplementary watering through irrigation is required. Vegetable crops require continuous access to an ample supply of good quality water to achieve optimum fruit development and growth. Vegetable crops are characterised by shallow root systems, which have small soil water storage reservoirs, and plants with changing water needs, depending on their stage of development and the weather.
3. Orchards
Major crops include citrus, stone fruits and nuts. Orchard producers face international competition, a need to increase productivity, the adoption of farm best practice, and a focus on chemical-free produce and environmental sustainability. This requires sound water management, particularly as drought conditions and decreased water allocations reduce the availability of water.
Micro irrigation systems apply water frequently to the tree root zone so soil moisture levels are maintained at optimum levels. This helps save water by:
- watering only the plant root zone
- reducing loss to deep drainage or percolation
- Reducing water consumption by weeds
- minimising evaporation from the soil surface.
- Increased savings through reduced water and pumping costs
- Reduced leaching of nutrients (and hence, reduced fertiliser application)
- Lower energy requirements for pumping
- Reduced amount of drainage water and surface runoff
- Additional water for expansion or trading
- Less impact on environment.
Read the case studies
Find out how other horticultural businesses are saving water.