Crops
Citrus irrigation: design, upgrade and review
Citrus orchards last for decades, so the irrigation has to be upgraded and kept working as blocks are replanted and varieties change.
Overview
Citrus water requirements, in plain words.
Mature citrus trees under sprinklers in Sunraysia and the Riverland typically need about 10 to 12 megalitres (ML) of water per hectare a year. The exact figure depends on climate, soil, variety and management. About three quarters of it is needed between October and March, and that is the period the system has to be sized for.
New plantings
A layout and system designed around the soil, the variety and the water.
Redevelopments
Sprinklers to drip, or new patches off old mains, checked before you commit.
Established orchards
Reviews, cleaning and repairs to keep an older system delivering.
What we do
How we help.
Water budgets and peak demand
We set the water budget month by month and the peak demand the system has to meet. It is the starting point for every citrus design and upgrade.
- Monthly water budget for the orchard
- Peak demand points for system design
- Water quality and seasonal variation
- Exposure to shortfall in a dry year
Upgrading older systems
Changing from sprinklers to drip, or planting new patches off old mains, changes the flows the system has to carry. We check what can stay and what has to change before anything is ordered.
- Mapping of the existing network
- Pumps, filtration and mains checked for new flows
- Upgrades staged block by block
- A budget for each stage
Mixed varieties and tree ages
An orchard with several varieties and tree ages needs each patch run on its own. We lay out the valves, shifts and automation to do that.
- Valves and shifts matched to each patch
- Drip or micro sprinkler, chosen by soil and tree
- Fertigation delivered patch by patch
- IRRInet and WiseConn automation
Audits, cleaning and repairs
Older systems lose pressure and evenness over time. Our field technicians find the weak spots and fix them.
- Pressure maps showing weak spots
- Chemical cleaning of drippers and sprinklers
- Blowout repairs and call out support
- Staff training
What you get
What a citrus grower gets from us.
- Water budget and peak demand figures
- Condition report on the existing system
- Upgrade design and budget, stage by stage
- Drip or micro sprinkler field design
- Pump, filtration and fertigation design
- Automation supplied, installed and supported
- Pressure maps and system audits
- Water use reports by block
Questions
Citrus, answered.
How much water do citrus trees need?
A mature citrus orchard in Sunraysia or the Riverland typically needs about 10 to 12 ML per hectare a year under sprinklers. It depends on climate, soil, variety and management, and a well run drip system can need less. About three quarters of the year's water is used between October and March, so that is when the system is under most pressure.
Should I water my citrus trees every day?
In a commercial orchard on drip in summer, often yes, and sometimes more than once a day on light soils. Drip wets a small zone, so it works best with short, frequent irrigations. Micro sprinklers usually run less often and for longer. Either way, the schedule should come from soil moisture readings and the weather, not the calendar.
Is drip or micro sprinkler better for citrus?
Drip is usually the more water efficient of the two, and it suits new plantings and automation well. Micro sprinklers wet a wider area of the root zone, which suits some soils and some older plantings. We recommend one or the other after looking at the soil, the trees and the water, regardless of brand.
Can you convert an old citrus block from sprinklers to drip?
Yes. We design the new field system, then check whether the pumps, filtration and mains can deliver the new flows and pressures. Where they can't, you get the upgrades needed and a budget, so the change can be staged. When to move established trees onto drip is a decision for you and your agronomist.
Do you work on citrus orchards in the Riverland and NSW?
Yes. The team works from Mildura across Sunraysia, the Riverland (Renmark, Berri, Loxton and Waikerie) and the Riverina (Griffith, Hillston and Darlington Point). Field technicians are based in Sunraysia, and travel is quoted up front.
Related
Upgrading a citrus block?
Send the property location, the varieties and what you are planning. Nick, Matt or Aaron will call you back with a scope and a price.