Watering method for coffee plants

There are many ways to irrigate coffee: root irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. Instructions for choosing the appropriate method according to soil, tree age, water source and cost for Robusta orchards in the Central Highlands.

Summary: There is no one best irrigation method for every coffee orchard. orchards with red basalt soil, strong water sources and commercial crops can be suitable for root irrigation; The orchard lacks water so drip is preferred; Small orchards with low capital can still be watered at the base if water management is good. This article compares four main irrigation methods and how to choose them to reduce waste of water, electricity, and labor during the dry season.

Applies to: Robusta Coffee in Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Lam Dong, Kon Tum. Both basic and business construction orchards.

Duration: Plan before the dry season, operate during irrigation periods from January to April.

Difficulty level: Medium. Need to know the water flow and soil condition of each lot.

Estimated additional costs: 5-80 million VND per hectare depending on renovation of existing irrigation system.

Principles before choosing a method

Irrigation of coffee is not just about bringing water to the orchard. The goal is to sufficiently moisten the active root zone, at the right time the plant needs it:

• The flower stimulation stage requires a deep enough watering session for the flowers to bloom simultaneously.
• The fruit growing stage needs to be evenly moist, avoiding erratic dryness and wetness.
• In the near-harvest stage, you should not over-irrigate as this will reduce kernel quality.

According to common recommendations for robusta coffee businesses in the Central Highlands, a flower irrigation session is usually around 500 liters per tree at a time, depending on tree age, soil and weather. Watering too little only wets the ground, watering too much wastes water and washes away nutrients.

Method 1 — root irrigation

Pipe irrigation is a method of using a water pipe directly into the tub of each plant.

Advantages

• Low initial investment.
• Easy to apply to small orchards and irregular terrain.
• The waterer can see each weak plant, each plant lacking water.

Disadvantages

• It takes a lot of effort.
• The amount of water between plants is easily uneven.
• If you press hard on one point, the water will run over the surface and not penetrate deep into the root area.
• It is difficult to control the total amount of water per plant without measuring time and flow.

When to use

• Small orchard under 1-2 hectares.
• Low capital, no fixed system investment.
• The orchard is being renovated, the tree density is not uniform.

Practical tip: test the tube flow for 1 minute using a small tank or tank. From there, calculate how many minutes each plant needs to be watered. Don't water just by feeling.

Method 2 — watering the roots

Irrigate the root nozzle using a nozzle placed near the root or in a basin, spraying around the root area.

Advantages

• The amount of water is more even than regular watering.
• Reduce labor.
• Suitable for business coffee orchards with stable density.
• Fertilization through water can be combined if the system is standard enough.

Disadvantages

• Need to invest in pipes, nozzles, pumps, filters.
• It's easy to clog if the water has a lot of residue.
• If the pressure is uneven, the plants at the beginning and end of the route receive water differently.

When to use

• orchard business from 4 years old or older.
• The terrain is relatively flat or the route has been divided properly.
• There is enough water for each irrigation shift.

With root plugs, it is necessary to check at the beginning of the dry season: clogged plugs, misaligned plugs, leaking pipes, pressure at the end of the line. One block at the right time of flower stimulation can cause that plant to flower incorrectly for the entire season.

Method 3 — sprinkler irrigation

Sprinkler irrigation simulates artificial rain, water falls both on the canopy and the ground.

Advantages

• Cools the microclimate in the orchard.
• Suitable for some orchards with shade trees and hot, dry soil.
• Can trigger flowers simultaneously if designed well.

Disadvantages

• Loss due to evaporation and high winds.
• Wetting leaves and flowers increases the risk of fungal diseases if watered at the wrong time.
• Need strong water pressure, high energy costs.
• Not suitable when flowers are blooming.

When to use

• The orchard has abundant water sources.
• Terrain and full pressure pumping system.
• Experienced managers choose when to water.

Do not sprinkle water when the flowers are blooming or nearly blooming. Strong water on the canopy can cause flowers to drop, bloom scattered and increase flower diseases.

Method 4 — drip irrigation

Drip irrigation delivers water slowly and evenly to the root zone through a drip line or drip tip.

Advantages

• Best water saving.
• Less loss due to evaporation.
• Can combine fertilizer with water correctly.
• Suitable for areas lacking water and long dry seasons.

Disadvantages

• High initial investment costs.
• The water needs to be filtered carefully, otherwise the drip tip is clogged.
• The roots can be narrowly concentrated around the wet area if the drip point is not arranged properly.
• Need a manager who understands how to operate the system.

When to use

• The orchard lacks water or pumping costs are high.
• The orchard is made in the direction of saving water and fertilizing through the system.
• The orchard has conditions for filter maintenance, end-of-line discharge, and pressure testing.

Drip irrigation does not mean arbitrarily little watering. Still need to calculate the total amount of water each plant receives in one batch.

Choose the method according to orchard conditions

If you are not sure, you should renovate each plot of 0.5-1 hectare first. Monitor flowers, fruits and water costs before expanding.

Check effectiveness after irrigation

After each irrigation, check:

• Dig the soil at the edge of the canopy 30-40 centimeters deep. The soil is evenly moist.
• After 3-5 days, the leaves stretch, the flower buds are bright, and do not wilt.
• The water doesn't run over your face too much.
• There is no pressure shortage at the end of the line.
• Electrical meter or fuel pump does not increase abnormally.

For drip or drip irrigation orchards, you should place a few cans or measuring cups of water at the beginning, middle, and end of the route to know the uniformity.

Common mistakes

Select system according to neighbor: different soil, water source and slope, the same system gives different results.

Not measuring flow: not knowing how much water each plant receives, easily under or over watering.

Spray irrigation when flowers bloom: increases flower drop and flower disease.

Invest in drips but do not filter water: clogged irrigation head, plants lack of water locally.

Just look at the topsoil: dry topsoil does not necessarily mean the root zone is dry. Need to dig and check.

Take notes

• [ ] Irrigation method for each lot.
• [ ] Pumping flow, number of irrigation hours, number of plants per shift.
• [ ] Soil moisture before and after irrigation.
• [ ] Electricity/oil cost per batch.
• [ ] Reaction to flowers, fruits, leaves after 3-7 days.

After a dry season, compare each batch according to water cost + yield. A good method is one that helps plants flower evenly, grow fruit well, and at an acceptable cost.

Related articles

• Watering techniques for coffee plants in each stage
• Dry season coffee management
• Watering techniques for coffee seedlings when nursery
• Track coffee prices