Yes, it is possible to germinate your crop with underground drip irrigation

The germination of cereal crops using irrigation systems has become a common and necessary practice, especially for producers who wish to increase their productivity by producing three harvests in one agricultural year. 

In this sense, irrigation has proven to be a very versatile and efficient tool, as it is possible to save time and germinate crops, such as soybeans, as soon as the sanitary void ends, without depending on rain and taking advantage of the best planting “windows”. .

Many producers already enjoy underground drip irrigation for grains, which is experiencing significant growth in Brazil. It is a very efficient way of applying water and nutrients, as it delivers everything directly to the plant's root system. 

However, a very common doubt among producers is whether the technology is capable of successfully promoting crop germination. Before we address germination with underground dripping itself, it is important to understand some relevant concepts, which give us a basis for understanding how applied water behaves in the soil.

In underground drip irrigation, unlike other methods, water comes from the bottom up. The phenomenon that allows this to happen is called capillarity. Capillarity is the tendency of some substances to move up or down the walls of thin tubes (capillary tubes) or to move through short spaces in porous materials, such as soil. This mechanism allows fluids to move even when they are against the force of gravity.

Clay soils have more capillarity because they have smaller particles and consequently narrower spaces in which water rises more easily. Sandy soils, on the other hand, have less capillarity due to the larger size of their particles. Therefore, for the water to reach the seed, a different design concept is necessary, with dripper pipes closer and more superficial, respecting a limit so that it does not hinder mechanization. Thus, the design of dripline spacing and burial depth depends on the texture of the soil where it will be implemented. 

Most of the time, when we germinate crops, we start with dry soil. In the same way that farmers do not plant if it has not rained a good amount in millimeters, in the underground drip irrigation system we need to carry out irrigation cycles with the aim of filling the “soil water tank” and leaving it at capacity. field before planting.

Netafim’s agronomic department has all this “know-how ” carrying out crop germination in different soil and climate conditions.

In summary, with the ideal project design, correct irrigation management and implementation of the entire soil restructuring protocol after installing the pipes, the farmer can germinate his crop and not depend on the weather to sow, taking advantage of the best planting opportunities and enabling the third harvest to be carried out, enhancing its productivity and profitability.

Willian Damas, Netafim Agronomic Specialist