Water is a precious resource. Using it wisely is important.
In a Dragon Fruit orchard, drip irrigation is one of the effective and efficient way to supply water and fertilizers.
| Double drip laterals |  |
Source: https://x.com/agrizonke/status/1375072053989085186
Advantages of Drip Irrigation:
| S.no. | Advantage |
| 1. | It conserves water and prevents top soil erosion. |
| 2. | It encourages healthier growth of orchard as all plants receive equal amount of water and fertilizer by means of fertigation. |
| 3. | It prevents the spread of disease from one plant to another. |
| 4. | It helps in maintaining better root growth as moisture spreads in a confined space and feeder roots tends to grow diametrically around it. |
| 5. | It reduces labour dependence. |
Why placements of drip laterals are important for Dragon Fruit Plants?
| The feeder roots / carrier roots, which are responsible for transporting water and minerals, develop around the main trunk of the plant and grow laterally in diametric pattern. The feeder roots of a plant are more prominent in top soil. Source of irrigation should be planned to keep the position and propagative growth of feeder root system. |  |
| Do’s | IMAGES |
| Just after the plantation, drip laterals are kept at 6 inches from the stem. |  |
| During various stages of plant growth, ensure that drip laterals keep moving away from the plants main stem. It ensures strong and prolific root growth. Root development tends to move towards the resources. |  |
| Don’ts | |
| Ensure that drip lateral should not touch the main stem of the plant at any time in the life of plant. Excess moisture around the collar region of stem for a longer period may cause ‘Collar Rot Disease’ and other fungal infections. |  |
| Placement of Drip laterals away from stem causes shortage of moisture in root zone. |  |
Advantages of Double Drip lateral in Dragon Fruit Plants:
| Double drip laterals | |
In Dragon Fruit orchard, it is beneficial to use double drip line laterals to ensure proper development of root system and balanced anchorage on all sides of plant. Feeder roots propagate laterally in a diametric pattern and tend to move towards resources.
What should be the frequency of irrigation in Dragon Fruit orchard?
The frequency of irrigation depends on various factors like:
| 1. | Age of plants |
| 2. | Soil moisture levels |
| 3. | Prevailing weather conditions. |
Based on these factors, irrigation schedule is prepared, and watering is undertaken at required intervals. The irrigation should be managed in a manner by which adequate moisture can be made available to the plants/roots. Excess moisture damages roots.
