- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - -

(CLF6000) Advanced Core Cluster: ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

 (CLF6600) Unit Title: GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE OF NURSERY STOCK

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 (CLF6608) Topic: IRRIGATION SYSTEMS         Time              Year(s) 
                                                1 hour            3 / 4 
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         Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student
                            will be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (K-7) - Demonstrate and discuss the common types of irrigation
                     systems for nursery stock (i.e., drip, mist, 
                     sprinkler, and hand).

         Special Materials and Equipment: Samples of different sprinklers.

         References: Ball, Vic (Ed.). (1985). BALL RED BOOK (14th ed.). 
                       Reston, VA: Reston Publishing Company.

         Evaluation: By quiz.

TOPIC PRESENTATION: TYPES OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

A. There are several methods of irrigating nursery crops.

   1. Sprinkler

       a. This is the most common method used to water nursery plants.

       b. Sprinklers can cover large ares easily.

       c. Sprinklers can be operated by automatic timers.

       d. Plants under the sprinklers should all need the same amount of 
           water.

       e. A wide variety of sprinkler systems are available.

   1. Hand Watering

       Advantages:

       a. Allows for the variation in watering different stock with
           different water needs.

       b. Allows for careful survey of the growing stock.
       Disadvantages: 

       a. It is time and labor consuming.

       b. It must be done regularly, including weekends and holidays.

   3. Mist

       a. Misters and foggers deliver fine sprays to increase humidity for 
           plants like fuchias and tuberous begonias.

       b. Mist systems are used mainly in mist beds (in greenhouses or
           outside).

       c. Mist systems use very little water.

       d. Mist systems are seldom used on standard growing container 
           stock.


   4. Drip

       a. Drip systems conserve water.

       b. They are being used more frequently in the nursery industry.

       c. They are excellent for use on large (5- & 15-gallon size)
           outdoor stock.

       d. Drip can be very effective for watering hanging house plants.

       e. Drip systems tend to clog when there are large amounts of salts 
           in the water.


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         ACTIVITY: 
 
         1. Inspect and evaluate any irrigation systems on the 
             school site.

         2. Point out various parts of the different irrigation systems.

         3. Install an irrigation system for container stock or in the
             greenhouse area.

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1/7/91 MT/clh

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