In a commercial operation, the environment needs to be heavily controlled. The top categories that need controlled are temperature, ventilation, disease and pest control, and water. Water takes many forms in a greenhouse. In a commercial greenhouse, water is controlled in both irrigation systems and humidity. Proper water application and control is essential in proper plant health and yield growth. The larger the operation, the more important the use of mechanized systems that can apply water and read levels of water throughout an entire growing area are. This is done through meters, injectors, pumps, flow meters, controllers, and other forms of watering equipment.
Meters
In the realm of commercial horticulture, the use of meters increases productivity and yields due to a meter’s ability to accurately measure things such as water and pH. Meters come in many shapes and sizes with different functions for the greenhouse. pH, EC meters, DO meters, and soil moisture are some of the top meters used in a greenhouse setting. With the readings and generated data, a grower can make informed decisions for what is best for the growing operation with ease. Also important to the operation of the greenhouse through meters, is maintenance and upkeep of the meters. Replacement parts, calibration, and general maintenance are essential for the smooth operation of these meters. Failure to upkeep meters will result in reduced performance or inaccurate data.
Fertilizer Injectors
Fertilizer injectors allow for the precise application of solutions for optimum plant growth based on predetermined settings or readings offered through meters installed in a greenhouse. These systems allow for the precise application of fertilizers, plant growth solutions, mineral acids, pesticides, and other liquid based solutions for the care and maintenance of crops. Using injectors that are best suited for the commercial operation ensure accurate applications and less hassle.
Water Treatment
The use of clean, sterile water is important in the commercial greenhouse operation. When water is free of deposits, minerals, and neutralized pH, plants benefit and systems remain at optimum performance. There are a wide variety of water treatment products ranging from sediment filters, pressure gauges, and water chillers. Often the most common thought on water treatment is to simply purify the water and remove deposits such as iron or chlorine. However, water temperature is just as important to keep roots healthy. Water that is too cold may stunt root growth and water that is too hot will scald roots and plants. Ensuring that water is both clean and the right temperature ranges, creates healthy, happy, and thriving plants.
Watering Equipment
Even though the use of automation is a major push in the commercial horticulture industry, there are situations and design limitations with make automation not worth the time or just not an easy solution. However, top-notch watering equipment ensures that the commercial operator has all the ease and capabilities that can be afforded for the use of non-automated equipment. These tools range from stainless steel sprayers and hand sprayers, garden hoses and connectors, and everything in between.
Pumps, Flow Meters, and Controllers
Once an irrigation system is installed, the use of pumps, meters and controllers play a key role in the overall function and control of the system. Pumps need to be at the correct size and settings to adequately supply water to the whole system across the growing area. Flow meters control the overall flow and pressures of the system in conjunction to the pump and a controller. The controller enables a grower to set the desired pressures, amounts, and other features needed specific to the crop.
Water Aeration
In some applications, the use of water aerators are needed to supply oxygen to the roots to promote growth of the plant. In hydroponic operations, the use of water aeration is vital to the plant’s success due to the roots being completely submerged in water all of the time. These aeration systems supply oxygen to the root zone of these plants and enable a grower to control the oxygen levels at the root zones to prevent root rot and facilitate the uptake of nutrients.
In hydroponics, when your plants’ roots are fully submerged in water, it’s crucial to supply adequate oxygen to your plants’ root zone to prevent root rot and facilitate nutrient uptake. In an aeration system, air pumps, flexible air diffusers, and more are used to supply crucial oxygen to the roots.
Plumbing
Plumbing is an essential part to the water system of a greenhouse. Proper equipment, installations, and maintenance is important to the smooth operation of watering systems in a commercial setting. When systems are not set up correctly, water transport efficiency is decreased leading to increased crop losses and reduced growth and quality. Old school systems would instal metal tubing, however, this led to rust, and the need for replacement of fittings and tubing on a regular basis. Today these systems are comprised of tubes and fittings made from PVC or plastics that are resistant to degradation from water and light. These PVC systems resist disease and with the new black PVC plastics, algae growth is reduced in the tubing systems. Some of the plumbing equipment needed in a greenhouse operation are pipe and tubing, fittings, check valves, bulkhead fittings, and valves, as well as adhesives to make the system secure and watertight permanently.
Drip Irrigation Equipment
Water conservation and increased availability of water may seem to be opposites of each other. However, in a drip irrigation system, overall water usage is reduced, while making waterings more efficient and beneficial for the plant. When compared to overhead systems, these systems save water and allows for the complete control over where water goes in the grow area reducing weed growth, erosion, and runoff. Ensuring the equipment is running smoothly and efficiently allows a grower to be rest assured that their plants are receiving the correct amounts of water at the right time and the right amounts.
The choice for which watering equipment is right for a commercial operation is dependent on individual goals and needs. No two operations are the same, however, in every operation water is of the utmost importance. Selection, installation, and maintenance of a watering system should be done through trusted companies. RF Agriculture is a northern- California based manufacturer of agriculture and horticulture products and supplies. RF Agriculture has years of real-world experience working in the industry. Backed with this knowledge, staff can make the recommendations needed to meet current and future needs of the commercial operation.
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