How Drip Irrigation can increase the yield in plantain farming by 150%
Drip irrigation is the artificial application of water to the root zones of crops through the use of drip tapes or pipes with emitters. Drip irrigation has been argued to be the most efficient and best type of irrigation in the world.
Drip irrigation also called trickle irrigation can be used for all crops including plantain. With drip irrigation, crops like plantain can get access to water all year round.
There are instances of how drip irrigation increased the yield of plantain crop by over 150%. In Nigeria, the few farmers who use drip irrigation for plantain farming have recorded huge yield increases.
Drip Irrigation Components that can be used for plantain farming
To use drip irrigation system for the cultivation of plantain in Nigeria, some components of the irrigation system has to be used. The components are explained as follows:
Drip Tubes/Tapes: For plantain farming, the use of drip tubes or poly tubes with removable emitters is better than the use of flexible drip tapes. Drip tubes or tapes are polythene hoses used in drip irrigation systems to irrigate crops. Drip tapes often have pre-installed emitters on equally spaced distance. Removable emitters can also be installed on poly tubes at distances preferred by the farmer. In plantain farming, we strongly advise the use of drip tubes or poly tubes as they are not susceptible to blockage like drip tapes. The thickness of poly tubes used for drip irrigation for plantain farming should not be less than 1 mm. Poly tubes and drip tubes last longer on farms than drip tapes.
Mainline: The mainline in the drip irrigation system is the hose or pipe that brings water from the main source of water. The pipe or hose that is connected to the source of water like a dam, borehole or a well is known as the mainline. The mainline is a very important component in the drip irrigation system. Without a mainline, drip irrigation cannot be used for plantain farming. The mainline can be a PVC pipe or a hose, it depends on the choice of the farmer. Reinforced lay flat hoses are much more durable than PVC pipes when used as a mainline.
Connectors: The connector is used for connecting the drip tapes to the sub-main line. There are several types of connectors namely croco connectors, valve connectors and take-off connectors.
Other components of the drip irrigation system that can be used for plantain farming are valves, air valve, backflow preventer, venturi injector, dosing pump, filtration system, end plugs, grommet, take-off, punch tool and sleeves.
How to install drip irrigation for plantain farming
It is strongly advised that you consult an expert to install your drip irrigation system for you. Experts like Veggie Grow (08065104759) to assist you to install your drip irrigation system.
To install a drip irrigation system for a plantain farm, you need to have all the accessories of the drip irrigation system. The components include the mainline, drip tubes or tapes, connectors, air valves, venture injector, end plugs and valves etc.
A source of water like borehole, well or dam etc is also required. A pumping system and a source of power is also required.
A technician can put all these together for you to start using the drip irrigation system on your plantain farm.
Fertigation in plantain farming
Fertigation is the injection of nutrients and fertilizers into the drip irrigation system for the onward passing of the nutrients and fertilizers to the root zones of crops. Fertigation is a key concept in modern day irrigation scheduling.
Fertigation can be used in plantain farming. There are empirical studies that have shown that fertigation can increase the yield of plantain crop by as much as 150%. Fertigation has some similarities with chemigation. Chemigation is the injection of chemicals like pesticides into the drip irrigation system for onward passing to the root zone of crops.
Fertigation can be a game changer in plantain farming. Plantain as a crop is a potassium hungry crop. Fertigating nutrients like potassium and other nutrients can go a long way in increasing the yield in plantain farming.
There are a lot of nutrients and fertilizers that can be used for fertigation. Fertilizers that can be used for fertigation include potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, calcium magnesium nitrate (CALMAG), soluble NPK fertilizers, urea, mono potassium phosphate, potassium sufate and humates etc.
Should you need a drip irrigation system for your plantain farm, why not contact Veggie Grow through 08025141924 or sales@veggiegrow.ng.
