Should I use surface or subsurface drip irrigation?

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems are most suitable for large-scale cornfield operations. Compared with on-surface systems, SDIs deliver additional benefits such as lower labor requirements, and operational simplicity. SDI systems favor modern tillage practices such as no-till or minimum tillage.On-surface systems are best for small to medium-scale growers, and for use on extremely sandy soil plots. They’re also a great option for plots that are deep-tilled or for plots that are rented where growers would prefer to avoid investments in non-mobile equipment. But bear in mind that while they require a lower initial investment, they do carry a higher operational cost.

If I have a lot of rainfall, will drip still be a good investment?

Definitely. While having ample rainfall is obviously a huge advantage, rain is never timely enough to allow the crop to reach its full yield potential. This is even more evident with sandy soils that have a lower water holding capacity. On top of that, drip is also a nutrient delivery system that allows you to fertigate and control the nutrient levels in your soil in a precise and economical way. Applying all of your fertilizer in a single application can be wasteful, especially under rainy conditions that provoke leaching. Splitting your nutrient application along the season guarantees that your crop gets what it needs when it needs it. This is what makes drip systems the perfect tool for increasing productivity in previously rain-fed plots.

What if I have an uneven topography or irregularly shaped cornfield?

Drip irrigation fits all plot shapes and sizes, all soil types and all topographies. You can use pressure compensating dripperlines that maintain the same flowrate across different pressure levels so every plant in the field gets exactly the same amount of water and nutrients no matter the elevation changes or distance from the water source.

Soybean Irrigation Systems

Soybeans need plenty of water during their reproductive stages (once the plants begin to flower), yet across the globe, many farmers and growers aren't giving their soybeans enough to thrive on with traditional soybean irrigation systems alone. Therefore, the best solution and system for the job is Precision Drip Irrigation, which allows for precise measurement of both water and essential nutrients year-round.

The challenge for soybean farmers

Due to the thirsty nature of soybeans in their mid-stages of development, a soybean irrigation system needs to be able to keep up with the demand. Drip systems accomplish this with ease, delivering exactly the right amount of water directly to the root systems of each plant. Not only does this eliminate common problems such as evaporation, overwatering, and overconsumption, but drip systems are optimized to improve the overall quality of the soybeans, which has a significant impact on both yield and profit.

Soybean irrigation is most important from the first flower through to seed fill, during which time the plants need approximately 0.35 inches per day of water at peak. Netafim's Surface Drip Irrigation System (SDI) uses innovative technology to guarantee performance and prevent clogging so that each soybean plant can access the water it needs to grow healthy toward maturity. With full control over your soybean irrigation system and the proper knowledge of how to irrigate soybeans, you can both increase your yield and save on water consumption.

Recommended Solutions for Soybean

The goal of a drip soybean irrigation system is to maximize yield without compromising on cost or using (and wasting) too much water.

Drip irrigation enables growers to harness advanced control over the root environments of each soybean plant during their critical developmental stages. More control equates to more soybeans, as soybean yields are heavily affected by the amount of water they receive during stages R1 to R5.

When each soybean plant receives exactly the amount of water and nutrients it needs throughout all stages of development, yields will not only be of higher quality, but of higher quantity, thus allowing farmers and growers to increase their production abilities (and physical acres of soybeans).

Although irrigation is the very important first step, it’s not the only factor that should be considered when trying to ensure the optimal conditions for soybeans. The proper nutrients, soil condition, and even the type of fertilizer and insecticides all matter when trying to yield the highest quality crop possible. The good news is that fertilizers, Biologicals, Bio-stimulants, and even insecticides and fungicides can be delivered through Netafim's Surface Drip Irrigation System (SDI), making it simple to get consistent, high quality yields every single time.

Netajet 4G

Offering the highest level of precision fertigation in the industry, NetaJet 4G™ ensures accurate, consistent control for incredible yields while conserving water, fertilizer, and labor.

FertiOne

FertiOne™ is our simplest dosing system allowing for the injection of a single fertilizer with ultimate precision. Deliver the right amount of nutrients at the right time. With FertiOne™ precision fertigation is simpler than ever.

Grower Stories

Meet the tomato growers using precision irrigation.

After setting the North Carolina State yield record with 107.4 bu/ac on his drip-irrigated soybeans in 2017, Kevin Matthews began the 2018 season with high expectations. He had no idea just how challenging of a season it was going to be. Despite the extreme weather challenges, he was able to turn his worst producing ground into his best producing ground and post North Carolina's highest soybean yield of 2018.

Kevin Matthews

Soybeans, USA

Things we often get asked:

Subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) systems are most suitable for large-scale cornfield operations. Compared with on-surface systems, SDIs deliver additional benefits such as lower labor requirements, and operational simplicity. SDI systems favor modern tillage practices such as no-till or minimum tillage.

On-surface systems are best for small to medium-scale growers, and for use on extremely sandy soil plots. They’re also a great option for plots that are deep-tilled or for plots that are rented where growers would prefer to avoid investments in non-mobile equipment. But bear in mind that while they require a lower initial investment, they do carry a higher operational cost.
Definitely. While having ample rainfall is obviously a huge advantage, rain is never timely enough to allow the crop to reach its full yield potential. This is even more evident with sandy soils that have a lower water holding capacity. On top of that, drip is also a nutrient delivery system that allows you to fertigate and control the nutrient levels in your soil in a precise and economical way. Applying all of your fertilizer in a single application can be wasteful, especially under rainy conditions that provoke leaching. Splitting your nutrient application along the season guarantees that your crop gets what it needs when it needs it. This is what makes drip systems the perfect tool for increasing productivity in previously rain-fed plots.
Drip irrigation fits all plot shapes and sizes, all soil types and all topographies. You can use pressure compensating dripperlines that maintain the same flowrate across different pressure levels so every plant in the field gets exactly the same amount of water and nutrients no matter the elevation changes or distance from the water source.

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