Irrigation intervals are not just about how often, but when and how. Sandy soils need short, frequent intervals; clay soils tolerate longer intervals with larger amounts. In Agdir, intervals are adapted based on soil type, crop, weather conditions, and growing season. Proper timing ensures better uptake, less waste, and healthier plants.

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Irrigation intervals in Agdir – tailored per field‍

Agdir calculates optimal intervals based on soil water holding capacity, crop water demand, and weather conditions. Instead of fixed routines, timing is dynamically adjusted: shorter intervals during heat peaks, longer intervals in cool weather and high humidity.

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Soil type-specific strategies

Sandy soils

• Characteristics: Fast drainage, low water holding capacity
• Intervals: Short, frequent sessions (every 2–3 days during heat peaks)
• Timing: Evening hours (18:00–23:00) to reduce evaporation losses
• Amount per session: Moderate doses not exceeding infiltration capacity

Silty soils

• Characteristics: Moderate water holding capacity and drainage
• Intervals: Medium intervals (every 4–6 days under normal conditions)
• Timing: Evening or early morning, avoid midday
• Amount per session: Balance between thorough wetting and oversaturation

Clay soils

• Characteristics: High water holding capacity, slow infiltration
• Intervals: Long intervals (every 7–10 days) with thorough wetting
• Timing: Early evening with plenty of time for infiltration
• Amount per session: Larger single doses, but avoid surface runoff

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Crop-specific adaptations

Vegetables

• Water demand: High and steady throughout the season
• Intervals: Frequent, small doses for constant supply
• Critical periods: Flowering and fruit development

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Cereals and grasses

• Water demand: Moderate, but critical in tillering and heading
• Intervals: Longer intervals, but intensified in key periods
• Critical periods: Tillering, heading, grain filling

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Berries and fruit

• Water demand: High during fruit development, moderate otherwise
• Intervals: Adapted to fruit development stage
• Critical periods: Flowering, cell division, ripening

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Timing during the day – when irrigation works best

Evening irrigation (18:00–23:00) – best for most cases
Advantages: Low evaporation, long infiltration time, minimal wind disturbance
Disadvantages: Can increase disease pressure if leaf moisture persists

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Night irrigation (23:00–05:00) – optimal for sandy soils
Advantages: Lowest evaporation, calm conditions
Disadvantages: Requires automated systems, harder to monitor

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Morning irrigation (05:00–08:00) – good second choice
Advantages: Low evaporation, plants dry during the day
Disadvantages: More wind than evening, shorter infiltration time

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Midday irrigation (not recommended)
Disadvantages: High evaporation, heat stress, poor infiltration due to hardened soil surface

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Seasonal variations in intervals

Early season (May–June)

• Characteristics: Small plants, moderate temperatures, focus on establishment
• Intervals: Frequent, small doses to maintain surface moisture
• Adjustments: Monitor forecasts closely, avoid overwatering young roots

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Mid-season (July–August)

• Characteristics: Large plants, high temperatures, maximum water demand
• Intervals: Intensify frequency and volume based on ET calculations
• Adjustments: Shorter intervals in heat peaks, adjust for rainfall events

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Late season (August–September)

• Characteristics: Ripening, reduced water demand, focus on quality
• Intervals: Gradual reduction in frequency and volume
• Adjustments: Avoid overwatering, which reduces storage quality

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Weather-based adjustments of intervals

Heat peaks
Reduce intervals by 30–50%. Increase frequency but keep doses moderate per session.

Cool periods
Increase intervals by 50–100%. Plants need less, and soil dries more slowly.

High humidity
Moderately increase intervals. Evaporation is reduced, so demand drops.

Windy periods
Moderately reduce intervals. Wind increases evaporation and plant stress.

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Practical examples of interval adjustment

Sandy soil – vegetables during heat peak

• Normal: Irrigation every 4 days
• Heat peak: Irrigation every 2 days with reduced doses per session

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Clay soil – cereals in cool weather

• Normal: Irrigation every 10 days
• Cool: Irrigation every 15 days, monitor to avoid overwatering

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Silty soil – berries during ripening

• Early season: Every 3 days
• Ripening: Every 6–7 days to avoid splitting fruit

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Automation vs manual control

• Automated systems: Can follow intervals precisely but require monitoring for changing conditions
• Manual control: Flexible for weather and crop changes, but discipline needed for optimal timing
• Hybrid approach: Automated baseline with manual override for deviations

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Summary ‍

Correct irrigation intervals and timing can significantly increase water efficiency while improving plant health. With Agdir’s adaptation to soil type, crop, and weather conditions, timing becomes less guesswork and more precision.
Test intervals tailored to your soil type and crop, and adjust based on weather conditions and plant response – see how the right timing delivers better results.