1. What is Irrigation Frequency?

Irrigation Frequency (IF) is the time interval between irrigations, calculated as the ratio of available water (AW) to crop evapotranspiration (ETc). It helps determine how often crops need watering to maintain optimal growth conditions.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Irrigation Frequency equation:

Where:

• \( IF \) — Irrigation Frequency (days)
• \( AW \) — Available water in the root zone (mm)
• \( ETc \) — Crop evapotranspiration rate (mm/day)

Explanation: The equation calculates how many days the available water will last given the crop's daily water use.

3. Importance of Irrigation Frequency

Details: Proper irrigation scheduling maximizes water use efficiency, prevents water stress in crops, and avoids over-irrigation which can lead to waterlogging and nutrient leaching.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter available water in mm and crop ET in mm/day. Both values must be positive numbers for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I determine available water (AW)?
A: AW depends on soil type and root depth. It's calculated as the difference between field capacity and wilting point multiplied by root zone depth.

Q2: What factors affect ETc?
A: Crop ET depends on weather conditions (temperature, humidity, wind, solar radiation), crop type, growth stage, and management practices.

Q3: Should irrigation frequency be constant?
A: No, it should be adjusted based on changing weather conditions and crop growth stages which affect ETc rates.

Q4: What's a typical irrigation frequency?
A: Varies widely from daily for some vegetables to weekly or longer for deep-rooted crops, depending on climate and soil.

Q5: How does this relate to irrigation amount?
A: Frequency determines when to irrigate, while irrigation amount (based on AW) determines how much water to apply each time.