# What is the most efficient means of crop irrigation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603 "2014-02-05T21:14:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/1 "2014-02-05T21:14:16Z")
Is it drip irrigation? Thanks, Rob ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/2 "2014-02-05T21:28:25Z")
Define efficient. My system with capillary plastic tubing to each major root branch is extremely good at conserving water, but it might be a bit labor and material intensive. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/3 "2014-02-05T22:05:18Z")
Efficient in terms of water usage. ---
**Author:** ![Ken001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/4 "2014-02-06T00:42:40Z")
A system which delivers metered amounts of water to each plant between the hours of 12am - 7am is the most efficient. If the system is able to detect the dampness of the soil and switch off that is even better. Overwatering is wasteful and waterlogged roots lead to sick plants. The ground temperature rises during the day so water applied then partly evaporates which is why night watering is best. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/5 "2014-02-06T02:14:22Z")
> [@Ken001](#): > > A system which delivers metered amounts of water to each plant between the hours of 12am - 7am is the most efficient. If the system is able to detect the dampness of the soil and switch off that is even better. Overwatering is wasteful and waterlogged roots lead to sick plants. > > The ground temperature rises during the day so water applied then partly evaporates which is why night watering is best. As long as you are not getting the foliage wet. Wet foliage at night can lead to fungus growth. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/6 "2014-02-06T04:13:45Z")
A buried soaker hose, run after sunrise. I believe plants only transpire when during daylight. A soaker wets more soil, encouraging root growth into those areas. You can also use a buried soaker during high sun periods when necessary, when a sprinkler would cause water burns on the plants. ---
**Author:** ![sweeteviljesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2014, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/7 "2014-02-06T16:43:18Z")
I am sorry, I forgot to mention I was thinking of commercial agriculture rather than gardening. Thanks, Rob ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/8 "2014-02-07T01:14:41Z")
> [@sweeteviljesus](#): > > I am sorry, I forgot to mention I was thinking of commercial agriculture rather than gardening. > > Thanks, > Rob A very long soaker hose … Timing may be more important than the mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/9 "2014-02-07T01:52:04Z")
> [@j666](#): > > You can also use a buried soaker during high sun periods when necessary, when a sprinkler would cause water burns on the plants. Just not true. Old wive’s tale that refuses to die. [http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/Horticultural%20Myths\_files/Myths/Leaf%20scorch.pdf](http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Leaf%20scorch.pdf) ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/10 "2014-02-07T04:09:42Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Just not true. Old wive’s tale that refuses to die. > > [Linda Chalker-Scott | Washington State University](http://puyallup.wsu.edu/~linda%20chalker-scott/Horticultural%20Myths_files/Myths/Leaf%20scorch.pdf) That has not been my experience, but it does not matter, if one waters at soil level. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2014, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-efficient-means-of-crop-irrigation/680603/11 "2014-02-07T04:53:45Z")
Seasonal rain-fed for rice. Your main problem is looking for something to do while the grain matures.