Avocado – also known as ‘aguacate’, ‘aguacata’ or ‘palto’, amongst many other names – is undoubtedly one of the most prized and rapidly growing crops on the Iberian Peninsula, particularly in areas such as Málaga, Granada and the Canary Islands.
When we visit avocado farms, we can see how irrigation systems are often being upgraded, with changes being made to the types of emitters – moving from micro-sprinklers to drip irrigation, and from a single branch per line to three or even four.
Due to the severe droughts experienced in the growing regions and the vast quantities of water consumed by avocado trees (approximately 7.000 m³·ha/year), it is vitally important to ensure optimal water efficiency. How? By striving for uniform irrigation, using emitters that offer guaranteed efficiency, have a low flow rate and are spaced at short intervals (30–40 cm) between drippers, thereby enabling the even distribution of water and fertilisers across terraced plots.
Plots with this layout are usually very steep, so a self-compensating dripper, capable of maintaining a consistent flow rate along the branch line, is the most suitable option. A good solution for achieving these high levels of efficiency and uniformity on such varied terrain is our Vardit flat self-compensating dripper. It is a good solution for steep slopes and uneven terrain, thanks to its excellent compensation mechanism.
Growing avocados requires specific techniques and knowledge, as we need to determine variable factors such as water requirements at any given time, which are influenced by:
- Varieties and rootstocks
- Climatology
- Age of the crop
- Phenological stage of the plant
- Soil type
All these constraints will help us to design our irrigation system, drawing on versatile and balanced options such as our Vered dripper, which is ideal for maintaining uniform irrigation when water conditions are not ideal. Given the characteristics of our drippers, using them will help to:
- The minor is being blown off course by the wind
- Greater control over the overlap between bulbs
- Lower evaporation losses
- Improved efficiency in the leaching of salts from the soil
- The localised application of nutrients (fertigation)
If you need to find the best solution for your avocado crops, please do not hesitate to browse our range of drip hoses; you’ll be able to choose the product that best suits your crop’s needs.
