Irrigation is the practice through which, with appropriate irrigation methods, the plant is supplied, by means of the agricultural land, with the water it needs for its vegetable cycle. In particular, it is possible to recognize the functions described below in irrigation.
Humectant irrigation
The purpose of humectant irrigation is to supply water to the soil to supplement the rains, in order to obtain the best productive result. It can be of the normal type if carried out in the period April-September or May-October, auxiliary when water is administered during the transplant and relief period, when irrigation is carried out in the driest periods (summer – autumn).
Fertilizer and / or ammentative irrigation
With fertilizer irrigation fertilizers, chemical or natural substances are brought to the soil, in order to fertilize and / or correct the soil. The nutrients are diluted in the water beforehand and then introduced into the irrigation distribution network.
Thermal irrigation
Thermal irrigation performs functions that can range from lowering the leaf temperature in summer to promote photosynthesis, to antifreeze functions in the spring period in orchards by exploiting the heat capacity of the water which is greater than that of the air.
Wash-out or leaching irrigation
The purpose of irrigation washout is to amend the soil from harmful salts that are found there or have been brought to it by the same water used for irrigation. It is carried out in late spring.
Pesticide irrigation
The pesticide purpose of irrigation is to combat certain plant diseases, with the flooding of the soil (carried out in late spring).
