Should I use surface or sub-surface 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.

GROW THE BEST MAIZE YOU’VE EVER GROWN

When you’re growing maize, every season is a race to higher yields.
But when you’ve got a more precise way to control your water and nutrients, every season is better than the last one.

The Challenge for Maize Farmers

Maize reacts dramatically to water, nutrients and radiation. But while radiation is usually a given, you can control your maize’s exposure to water and nutrients. While traditional irrigation systems like flood and pivot give you some control, they’re also inefficient and less uniform in the way they apply water. This becomes even more evident across different soil types, so they make it hard to ensure you get uniformly better crops. These traditional irrigation methods are also not relevant to uneven topography or odd shaped fields.

How Precision Irrigation Helps

Precision irrigation gives you better control by delivering water and nutrients directly to the roots of each plant, in specific combinations, according to your plants’ developmental stages. It fits into any plot, and can be applied to all topographies, field sizes and soil types. So you can maintain optimal soil moisture and nutrient levels in all conditions.

And if you add digital controls to your system, you’ll be able to monitor and optimise your yield as it’s growing, gaining data about every aspect of your field and local climate. So wherever you are, whether you’re growing for grain, silage, seed production or sweetcorn, you’ll ensure consistently high, top-quality yields every season. And even bigger profits.

Maize FAQs: Things We Get Asked Often

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.

Do You Have More Questions?

Farmers' Stories

Meet the farmers using precision irrigation

" I was excited about subsurface drip irrigation - I could irrigate more hectares of maize, using less water."

Danie Minnaar

Danie Minnaar

Maize, Free State, South Africa

Dan Luepkes turned his worst field into his best.

“We can outproduce the best field in this area with some of the poorest soils.”

Dan Luepkes

Maize, USA

Find What You Need

Get more details on our solutions

Precision Irrigation for Field Crops

The challenge of field crop production is trying to keep the delicate balance between smart risk management and optimal crop growth.

You need a solution that makes optimal use of your land, time and resources, while guaranteeing consistent results in the field. A solution that’s right for your crop, soil, climate, topography, crop cycles and business model.

The solution is precision irrigation.

Precision Nutrigation™

Plant nutrition isn’t a matter of quantity – it’s a matter of efficiency.

Precision Nutrigation™ delivers nutrients straight to the root zone of each plant, in tailormade combinations, with perfect timing. This allows you to use fertiliser more efficiently and get the best return on investment. Even in cases where soil moisture is balanced and there is no need for additional irrigation, applying nutrients through your irrigation system allows you to give crops what it needs, when it needs it, to produce higher yields.

Our Products

Find the precise solution for your crop, climate, and topography.

Every season is a race to produce higher yields with fewer resources. Browse our range of innovative products and tailormade solutions and start optimising your use of land, water and fertiliser. For higher and better-quality yields, every season.

Everyday should be a good day for your Maize crop

NetMaize™ puts the power of information in the farmers’ hands:

Maximise water efficiency
Improve plant health
Maintain consistent soil moisture conditions
Reduce plant stress
Boost maize crop productivity

Need help finding the best solution for your farm?

Get in touch, and we can talk about what your crop needs.

Contact an Expert